Gilead Sciences Opens New Global Paediatric Drug Development Centre of Excellence in Dublin
Gilead Sciences, a global biotechnology company, has formally opened its Dublin city centre office focused on developing new paediatric formulations for its portfolio of medicines. Development, clinical operations, legal/IP, medical affairs and regulatory teams will work together to create the company’s only Global Paediatric Centre of Excellence, based in the North Dock area of the city centre.
“Gilead’s therapies address some of the world’s most challenging viral diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and COVID-19. Our Dublin teams play a critical role in adapting these therapies to treat children. In addition, as Gilead expands its work in oncology, our Irish teams could help to address the urgent challenge of childhood cancers,” said Daniel O’Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gilead Sciences. “Ireland has long been a global hub for life sciences and Gilead is proud to have been part of that since 1999. The new Dublin facility is a further investment in our long-term presence.”
The Dublin Development office is responsible for coordinating paediatric clinical trials for seven products across 18 countries, with current trials investigating paediatric treatments for HIV, hepatitis B and COVID-19. The company plans to expand the responsibilities of the Dublin operations further, including supporting work on adult studies across its portfolio of approved and investigational medicines. Additionally, a new team to be recruited in the Dublin office will form a core part of a new Artificial Intelligence Centre within the Gilead Development organization.
Reggie Kelly, Vice President, Development, Gilead Sciences, and Dublin site lead, said: “Development is a critical stage in the life cycle of a medicine and Ireland is a global life science hub. With the clinical, academic and regulatory expertise available – in addition to industry talent – Dublin was the obvious location. We chose this office carefully, for its location and it’s sustainability credentials, and I’m thrilled to be able to open it to our team and our external partners.”
IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said: “IDA Ireland welcomes Gilead’s expansion of its Irish operations, establishing in Dublin this global biotechnology company’s first Global Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Clinical Trials outside of the US. It’s a strong vote of confidence in Ireland for investment of this kind and will be a welcome addition to the growing biotech ecosystem here.”
Gilead has been in Ireland for over two decades. Its Cork manufacturing facilities produce 22 different products and its Dublin distribution centre, separate from North Dock, is critical in its global supply chain. In total, Gilead has over 500 employees in the State, its largest operation in the European Union (EU).
The Dublin Development office currently employs over 70 people in specialist roles and will have 33 new positions available in 2022. Additionally, Gilead has a further 24 roles currently open in Cork.
Current positions available at Gilead in Ireland can be found here.
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From L-R: Merdad Parsey, Chief Medical Officer; David Cadogan, Cork Manufacturing Site Head, VP Operations; Reggie Kelly, Dublin Site Head, VP Development; Michael Lohan, Global Head of Lifesciences, IDA Ireland.
