The expansion will enable Johnson & Johnson to target specific medical concerns, grow its teams and develop new treatments.
Johnson & Johnson Medtech, which is the medical technology division of US healthcare company Johnson & Johnson, has announced the expansion of its operations at the Galway, Ireland facility.
The Galway site, which is located in Ballybrit Business Park, is a recognised hub for the organisation’s neuro thromboembolic initiative (NTI) and RD&I efforts, which tackle unmet needs in neurovascular disease and treatment for patients who have had a stroke.
The expansion will enable Johnson & Johnson to grow stroke-specific and liquid embolic procedural R&D capabilities, deepen its bench of engineering and scientific talent and accelerate the development of new treatment solutions for patients with acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Which are, according to Johnson & Johnson, two of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide.
The company first established itself in Galway in 2017 and since then has invested heavily in growing the organisation by scaling its engineering, RD&I and manufacturing capabilities, with a core focus on neurovascular research, product development and supply chain.
The announcement also coincides with a convening of Johnson & Johnson Medtech’s Neurovascular Global Scientific Advisory Board in Galway, which is a first for the Ireland team, who will have the opportunity to network with leaders in the stroke technology and care space.
Commenting on the expansion, the Minister for Education and Youth of Ireland, Hildegarde Naughton, TD, said, “This Johnson & Johnson Neurovascular R&D centre underscores Ireland’s status as a global leader in medical technologies. This investment further strengthens our reputation for research excellence.”
Michael Gilvarry, the head of R&D for Johnson & Johnson Medtech Neurovascular and general manager of the Galway site added, “By expanding our remit from ischemic stroke to include chronic subdural hematoma, and other neurovascular conditions, our talented workforce in Galway is applying their scientific knowledge and engineering skills in new ways to find solutions to these life-threatening conditions.
“Ireland is a critical part of our global innovation network, and this investment reflects our long-term commitment to building and advancing our neurovascular capabilities in the region for the benefit of patients around the world.”
The expansion is supported by IDA Ireland. CEO Michael Lohan noted Galway’s suitability as the “cornerstone of Europe’s medical technology sector” and the west’s growing reputation as a “key innovation hub”.
He said, “The work at the Galway site, which is closely aligned to our new strategy, Adapt Intelligently, will not only create high-skilled opportunities for local talent but will also help shape the future of stroke care through cutting-edge innovation developed here in the west of Ireland.”
Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.
