Pharma industry gathers for 2021 Awards, April 27th, Dublin

The Irish pharma and biopharma industries played an essential role in the battle against Covid-19 both here in Ireland and abroad. They also ensured that essential therapies continued to be created, produced and delivered without interruption in the most challenging of times.

The 2021 ceremony, delayed due the pandemic, was staged as a hybrid event in front of a live and online audience at The Mansion House, Dublin, hosted by author, broadcaster and comedian Colm O’Regan.

It was, therefore, with great expectation and anticipation that almost 500 leaders from the sector finally gathered to witness the presentation of 27 trophies, representing the full spectrum of R&D, manufacturing and delivery achievements that drive the sector.

Winners of the Pharma Industry Awards 2021

Now in their eighth year, the Awards were supported by leading players from the global and Irish pharmaceutical manufacturing community.

Jim Lehane, AVP global sales & commercial, Cognizant Life Sciences Manufacturing, said; “It was fantastic to see so many colleagues and customers in person again, celebrating the many achievements of the Irish pharma community. Cognizant is delighted and extremely proud to be supporting the Pharma Industry Awards for the sixth consecutive year; well done and congratulations to all nominees and winners.”

Kuehne+Nagel returned as title sponsor with Seamus Keane, Industry Champion – Healthcare saying: “Kuehne+Nagel Ireland were delighted to once again support the Pharma Industry Awards for 2021, which recognizes innovative players within the healthcare industry across Ireland. At Kuehne+Nagel, we understand the importance of seamless healthcare logistics management and ensure full compliance with industry regulations throughout the entire supply chain. Our continuous association with the event demonstrates our commitment to the industry and our customers.”

Another of this year’s sponsors was Asgard Cleanroom Solutions. Chief executive John Comerford said: “Asgard Cleanroom Solutions & G-CON Manufacturing Europe were delighted to sponsor the Pharma Leader Award at the Pharma Industry Awards for 2021. The award went to the person that has made a significant contribution to the Pharmaceutical industry in Ireland. This award has been received by many wonderful servants and influencers to the sector in the past, and this year the award couldn’t go to a more deserving recipient, Eamon Judge. Congratulations on this fantastic achievement.”

Speaking at the awards, Kevin O’Driscoll, director partnership programmes, BusinessRiver said, “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2022 sponsors, which include Kuehne+Nagel, Micro-Bio Ireland, Cognizant Life Science Manufacturing, TQS Integration - A Cognizant Company, Asgard Cleanroom Solutions and G-CON Manufacturing, Bioquell, an Ecolab Solution, SkyCell, Innopharma, CBRE, Indaver, BioPharmaChem Skillnet, Ardmac, Dawsongroup Ireland, Source BioScience Ireland, H2 Compliance Irl (Part of Landbell Group), Sirus, QuickSTAT Global Life Science Logistics, BioPharma Engineering – A Unispace Life Sciences Company, A&C by Aceto, BOC Gases Ireland Ltd, SteriTech and Eurofins Biopharmaceutical Product Testing. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.’

BioPharamaChem Ireland joined as a patron of the Awards, which were also supported by Shannon ABC, National Institute of Bioprocessing Research and Training, The Pharmaceutical Managers’ Institute of Ireland and Amarach Research.

One of the trophies handed out on the day went to Alexion Ireland, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. Their executive director, Site Lead, said: “Winning awards in two separate categories was a phenomenal accomplishment for everyone at Alexion Ireland. What makes it particularly special and very humbling is being recognised by our pharma industry peers.”

Another winner was Avectas. Chief scientific officer Shirley O’Dea said: “We were absolutely thrilled when we heard the announcement that we had won the award for Best Biotech Company, absolutely fantastic, a great surprise and great recognition for the company and the work that we have been doing for the past few years.”

The 2021 judging panel

Matt Moran, judging co-ordinator, director, BioPharmaChem Ireland

Dr Adrienne Fleming, senior lecturer in science, Technological University Dublin

Dr Eoin Fleming, School of Pharmacy and School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork

Dr Michael Gillen, senior executive, BioPharmaChem Ireland

Prof Anne Greene, Convene Enterprise Partnership lead, TU Dublin

Finnian Hanrahan, Research Centres programme manager for pharmaceuticals, medical devices and health, Science Foundation Ireland

Joe Harford, managing director, Joe Harford & Associates

Kevin Hoban, director, H2 Compliance

Deirdre Kelly, country manager Consilient Health, Ireland, GCC and Malta

Prof Mike Lyons, head of School of Chemistry, TCD

Dr Bernard Naughton, assistant professor in industrial pharmacy, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

Dr Kieran Nolan, associate professor, School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University

Killian O’Driscoll, director of projects, National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT)

Dr Joey O’Shea, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork

Dr Zeibun Ramtoola, senior lecturer, School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI, University of Medicine and Health Science, Dublin, Ireland

Dr Bernadette Whelan, lecturer in pharmaceutical science, Waterford Institute of Technology

Dr Tim Yeomans, centre manager, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre