Global Biopharmaceutical BioMarin opens new Dublin offices to support growth across Europe, Middle East and Africa
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., a global leader in therapies for rare genetic diseases, today opened its new offices in Dublin to provide a hub for the Company’s growing operations across EU, the Middle East and Africa (EUMEA). The new office in Earlsfort Terrace further strengthens BioMarin’s presence in Ireland. A €38 million expansion of BioMarin’s manufacturing facility in Cork was announced last year and is also currently in progress. BioMarin is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing first-in-class and best-in-class therapeutics that provide meaningful advances to patients who live with serious and life-threatening rare genetic diseases.
The new offices were officially opened by An Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., at an event that brought together members of BioMarin’s Global Executive team including President of Global Manufacturing, Dr Robert Baffi, employees, members of the medical and life science communities, public representatives and patient representative groups including Avril Daly, Chairperson of Rare Diseases Ireland.
Commenting on the importance of BioMarin as an employer and investor in Ireland, Mr Coveney said: ‘I welcome today’s opening and BioMarin’s recognition that Ireland is an ideal location for a business with a global reach. The presence of a highly skilled labour force supports the growth and development of their specialised and significant work in the area of the treatment of rare diseases. BioMarin has grown to a workforce of close to 500 – Irish-based staff now represent almost 20% of their employees globally, making Ireland its most significant location outside of the US.’
Jim Lennertz, Senior Vice President EUMEA Commercial Operations and one of BioMarin’s global leaders based in Dublin commented: ‘Ireland is a major location for BioMarin and we’re excited to be growing our business here. BioMarin is investing in our future operations in Ireland to support rising demand for our rare disease therapies. We’re benefiting from the exceptional pool of life sciences talent and expertise in Ireland, which means we can recruit the right people at a time when the Company has a number of exciting innovations in the pipeline and continues to drive strong growth in the EUMEA region. Our new offices in Dublin support our continued expansion and provide our employees with an outstanding workspace in the heart of the city.’
For more than two decades, BioMarin has been pioneering breakthrough treatments for patients around the world suffering from rare genetic diseases. Many of these conditions affect children and some are so uncommon that the entire patient population numbers as few as 1,000 people worldwide. Rare diseases have a very high level of unmet need, with 95% of rare diseases lacking even a single treatment option. Developing new and innovative therapies for small patient populations with rare and highly complex conditions is challenging and risky. BioMarin is one of a small number of specialist rare disease companies located in Ireland working to change the future for patients with these diseases.
