Biotechnology company Gilead Sciences has opened its Global Paediatric Centre of Excellence for developing children's medicines in Dublin's North Dock, with plans to create 33 jobs in addition to the more than 70 people already working in the capital.
Development, clinical operations, legal/intellectual property, medical affairs and regulatory teams will be based at the city centre offices, which Gilead Sciences CEO and chairman Daniel O'Day said represented a further investment in the company's long-term presence in Ireland.
The site will also be responsible for coordinating paediatric clinical trials for seven products across 18 countries, with current trials investigating paediatric treatments for HIV, hepatitis B and COVID-19.
The California company plans to expand its Dublin operations further, assigning supporting work on audit studies across its portfolio of approved and investigational medicines, and a new team will be recruited in Dublin to form "a core part" of Gilead's AI centre.
Reggie Kelly, vice president for development at Gilead Sciences and Dublin site lead, said: “Development is a critical stage in the life cycle of a medicine and Ireland is a global life science hub.
In Association with
"With the clinical, academic and regulatory expertise available – in addition to industry talent – Dublin was the obvious location. We chose this office carefully, for its location and its sustainability credentials, and I’m thrilled to be able to open it to our team and our external partners.”
Gilead has had a presence in Ireland for over 20 years, with its Cork manufacturing facilities producing 22 products and its Dublin distribution centre forming a critical part of its global supply chain.
The company employs over 500 people across Ireland, making the country its largest EU operation.
Speaking at the opening, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: ""Gilead Sciences is a great example of a business delivering on the global stage, supported by our accomplished and skilled workforce. After over 20 years here in Ireland, this will be Gilead’s fourth facility here, further underlining the leading role this country plays in the company’s operations in Europe.
"Gilead’s drive and commitment to innovation, and to the highest standards of pharmaceutical technology, is clear to see, and will, I’m sure, continue to bring the company considerable further success in the years ahead."
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Leo Varadkar added: "This announcement reinforces the importance of Ireland globally in the manufacturing of medicines and in particular, the development of paediatric medicines.
"Our highly skilled workforce continues to attract world renowned companies such as Gilead Sciences to grow their businesses here. After more than 20 years in our country, this new facility is another exciting expansion for Gilead, and I wish the team the very best with this new initiative.”
IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said: “IDA Ireland welcomes Gilead’s expansion of its Irish operations, establishing in Dublin this global biotechnology company’s first Global Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Clinical Trials outside of the US.
"It’s a strong vote of confidence in Ireland for investment of this kind and will be a welcome addition to the growing biotech ecosystem here.”
Photo (l-r): Gilead Sciences executives Merdad Parsey, David Cadogan and Reggie Kelly with IDA Ireland's Michael Lohan.
