Medical device manufacturer Boston Scientific has announced a €75m investment in its Galway site, including the expansion of its research and development (R&D) capabilities.
The company said this will further strengthen its role as a global centre for cardiovascular innovation.
The development, supported by IDA Ireland, includes purpose-built laboratories to enhance the ability of workers in Galway to design, develop and test next-generation medical technologies across a range of cardiovascular therapies.
Boston Scientific has been operating in Ireland for the last 30 years, with over 7,000 employees across sites in Galway, Cork and Clonmel who produce over 30 million devices each year for patients worldwide.
Medical devices exported from the Galway facility every year include drug-coated devices, vascular balloons and heart and oesophageal stents. These products help treat patients with conditions including heart disease, vascular disease, oesophageal cancer and those at risk of stroke.
"We are seeing strong momentum across our cardiovascular business, and this investment reflects the important role the Galway site plays in that progress," Lance Bates, executive vice president and president, Interventional Cardiology and Vascular Therapies, Boston Scientific, said.
"The local team is delivering complex, highly collaborative work that is advancing meaningful innovation for patients. The strength of the site, the talent in Ireland and the support of the Irish Government and IDA Ireland give us confidence to continue investing in our future growth," he added.
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton said the decision by Boston Scientific to invest again in Galway shows real confidence in the talent and infrastructure available here.
"The importance of R&D and innovation to Ireland's economy cannot be overstated. It is achieved through a strong partnership between industry, Government and IDA Ireland and has acknowledged that Galway is now an internationally recognised MedTech hub," she said.
"This is due in no small part to the presence of Boston Scientific, one of the largest life sciences employers in the country, and I want to very much thank them for their continued investment," the Minister added.
