US Medical device manufacturer Biomerics has today (30 May) announced the opening of a new facility in Galway, with plans to create 40 jobs over the next five years.

The 2,000 sq ft facility is Biomerics’ first facility in Europe and its second facility outside of the US. The new facility will focus on the development and manufacturing of balloons and balloon catheters.

“This move brings with it the creation of 40 jobs providing new opportunities for people to work and live in Galway, which has a proven track record when it comes to providing a rich pool of talent with a highly skilled and educated workforce,” Minister of State in the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton, TD, said.

“Today’s announcement is a great achievement for the West of Ireland and signals a bright future for businesses across the country,” Naughton added.

Founded in 1994, Biomerics provides services in engineering design and development, technical transfer manufacturing and contract manufacturing. This includes sterilisation and packaging for medical devices components, subassemblies, and finished medical devices.

The medical device manufacturer said it chose to locate in Galway due to the region’s cluster of medical device companies, a skilled labour pool, an international reputation and access to suppliers and vendors.

“Having this new location is another step in our strategic growth plan. We continue to see a strong need around balloon component development,” says Todd McFarland, President of Biomerics FMI. “Our focus will be on next-generation technologies, including micro- and sensing balloons. Additionally, the facility will provide more capacity to support our strategic customers in the interventional markets we serve.”

Jhovanny Ortega will lead the Balloons and Balloon Catheters Centre of Excellence, located at 2 Liosban Business Park. The centre will focus on designing and developing complex balloon components used in future medical devices and applications, using various materials such polyurethanes, nylons and PET.

“Biomerics’ decision to locate its first European site in Galway is terrific news for Ireland and reflects the established Life sciences cluster in the West region,” IDA Ireland global head of life sciences Michael Lohan said.

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