White Paper: Life Sciences - Delivering for Patients & Enhancing Ireland's Competitiveness

With a rich history of innovation, a thriving ecosystem, and a talented workforce, Ireland has firmly established itself as a global powerhouse in the life sciences sector, attracting some of the world’s most prestigious pharmaceutical, MedTech and biotechnology companies.

The life sciences sector, in the Irish context, has experienced remarkable growth over the past decades, supported by the implementation of pro-enterprise policies by consecutive Governments. This has enabled Ireland to position itself as a prime location for the life sciences sector, now boasting an impressive concentration of industry leaders, with 19 of the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies and 18 of the top 20 medical device companies maintaining a presence in Ireland.

This has proved transformative in terms of Ireland’s manufacturing capabilities, as 127 medical device manufacturing facilities and 109 pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities now operate across the country. Regional locations such as Cork and Galway have emerged as hubs for life sciences, attracting a diverse array of multinational businesses and fostering a thriving ecosystem of innovation and collaboration.

Notwithstanding, global competition for investment, talent, and innovation is intensifying, and geopolitical shifts, EU regulatory reform, and rapid technological advances are reshaping the pharmaceutical and MedTech landscape. These factors, if neglected, have the potential to impact Ireland’s competitiveness as a destination of choice for the life sciences sector.

In line with the Government’s 2025-29 Programme for Government, a whole-of-government Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity has been delivered, acknowledging that improving competitiveness and productivity is critical to Ireland’s ability to sustain economic resilience and attract high value investment. Successful implementation, and ongoing review of this plan will be key in supporting Ireland’s capacity to compete effectively on the global stage over the next decade.

This White Paper proposes a bold national mission to position Ireland as the most dynamic and innovative life sciences ecosystem in Europe, combining industry leadership, research excellence, rapid patient access to innovation, talent and workforce development, digital health transformation and proactive international engagement. It integrates the Government’s competitiveness commitments with industry-based insights from AmCham and others, aligning public policy with the strategic needs of the life sciences sector.

Read AmCham's full White Paper: Life Sciences - Delivering for Patients & Enhancing Ireland's Competitiveness here