Irish pharma industry gathers for awards night

The fifth annual Pharma Industry Awards featured world-class winners across 22 different categories at the gala event on October 23^rd. Hosted by Colm O'Regan at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, the night was a clear representation of the incredible momentum of the Irish pharma industry. The growth of the industry, even in just the few short years since the awards' inception, has been exceptional. Ireland is now the seventh largest exporter of pharmaceutical and medicine products in the world. With the numbers of those employed in the health sciences sector in Ireland now surpassing 25,000 it's no surprise that the depth of knowledge and talent has improved with every award ceremony.

Award sponsors Kuehne + Nagel Ireland were quick to point to Ireland’s global standing when discussing the announcement of this year’s shortlist. Pamela Quinn said, “Huge congratulations to those indigenous companies who took home an award. They are among the best in the world at what they do, and we believe we are also the best at what we do. So, it’s great for Kuehne + Nagel to be able to support the pharma industry in Ireland in this way.”

Andreas Bieringer, managing director of BOC Gases Ireland, also spoke about why he sees sponsorship of these Awards as a prime opportunity. “BOC Gases Ireland is impressed by the growth in the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland in recent years. BOC Gases Ireland have been a key part of this growth, supplying more than half the companies present at the Pharma awards. We felt that sponsoring three categories was our “Thank You” to these great achievements and an open invitation for others to talk to us! The Pharma Awards was an excellent opportunity to further network with key players and to continue to partner with our customers on this exciting journey,” he said.

AbbVie in Ireland took home two awards, including Biopharma Company of the Year, an area that is very important to the company, as Darragh Pattwell, Site Director, AbbVie Manorhamilton Road, Sligo, pointed out: “We are delighted to be a winning company at the Pharma Awards. We are proud of the world-class talent working across our sites in Ireland and their contribution to the development and supply of critical medicines. These nominations reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices and our ambition to go beyond the medicines we make to have a positive impact on patients’ lives, on societies – and on science itself.”

Proud to be named Pharma Industry Company of the Year, Michael Burke, managing director of Chanelle Pharma, said, “I am honoured that Chanelle Pharma is the first indigenous Irish pharmaceutical company to win this prestigious award. It is a fantastic achievement which reflects on the dedication and commitment of all the people in Chanelle Pharma here in Ireland and around the world. This prestigious accolade is very important to our research and development program as we launch new products in our Veterinary and Medical businesses. It is also of huge strategic value over the coming years as we enter new markets such as the United States.”

An independent panel of recognised and expert judges, drawn from academia, business and broader related sectors will determine the winners of the Pharma Industry Awards. They are led by Matt Moran, Director of BiopharmaChem Ireland, who is eagerly anticipating the awards: “Another fantastic response to the Pharma Industry Awards – the scope and detail of each of the entries was particularly impressive this year – the October Awards Night was another great evening of networking and being inspired by each and every one of this year’s entries”.

The Pharma Industry Awards are run by Business River. The full shortlist is available below and to read about other Business River events visit their news hub.

Pharma Industry Company of the Year, sponsored by Kuehne + Nagel

Winner: Chanelle Pharma