Boston Scientific gives Galway a boost with R&D investment


8 Sep 2008

Good news for Galway today, as Boston Scientific announced it is to invest €50m, with the support of IDA Ireland, in strategic R&D at its facility there.

Boston Scientific specialises in medical devices for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures and its Galway operation is the largest manufacturing site in the corporation, employing over 3,000 people.

The investment will further underpin both R&D and manufacturing at the Galway facility and will broaden the capabilities of the R&D team responsible for new product development, which directly employs over 200 people.

“Boston Scientific is a highly technologically advanced company, which has to rapidly change and continually develop to remain ahead in a highly competitive industry,” said Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan TD.

“The R&D investment will bring major technical enhancement in innovation and skills to the Galway facility, which has already gained a valuable reputation within Boston Scientific Corporation for its successful development of drug-eluting stent products, through commercialisation to approval and global volume launch.”

IDA Ireland CEO, Barry O’Leary, said this is one of the most significant R&D investments backed by the agency.

Last month, Boston Scientific announced it was to close its plant in Tullamore, Co Offaly, with the loss of 240 jobs. This followed the acquisition of Boston Scientific’s fluid management business in February by Avista Capital Partners.

By Sorcha Corcoran