Takeda Ireland claims top honours at Life Sciences Industry Awards 2025

Takeda Ireland has received the award for overall excellence in life sciences at the Life Sciences Industry Awards 2025, the annual event that celebrates the most innovative individuals and companies driving excellence in Ireland’s life sciences sector.

The third annual awards ceremony, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, in Dublin, and hosted by Colm O’Regan, drew 217 industry professionals to celebrate innovation and excellence across Ireland’s life sciences landscape. This year’s competition saw a record 81 entries from 45 companies vying for 22 coveted trophies.

In presenting the award, the judging panel highlighted Takeda’s exceptional leadership across multiple fronts. “With advanced manufacturing, cutting-edge research and a commitment to environmental and social responsibility, the company delivers meaningful impact both locally and globally, setting a high benchmark for excellence across the life sciences sector,” the citation stated.

Takeda Ireland has established itself as a cornerstone of the global life sciences sector since its establishment in 1997. Operating from four locations across Dublin and Co Wicklow, the company employs more than 1,000 people and serves as a hub for Takeda’s global leadership in rare diseases, oncology and gastroenterology.

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The company’s commitment to sustainability was particularly recognised, with all manufacturing sites operating on 100 per cent renewable energy and maintaining zero-carbon roadmaps for both big production facilities.

Deirdre Connaughton, site head at Takeda Ireland, said that entering the Life Sciences Industry Awards “is a really good way of celebrating the wins that are brought about through hard work and dedication from each [member] of our team on site”.

Among the other award winners, Prof Tara Moore, chief executive of Examen, commented: “I was surprised but very happy that we won. The recognition is the main benefit for our company and acknowledgment of our outstanding innovation. Tonight we’ve met people whom we will collaborate with in the future to improve our diagnostic provision.”

Tom O’Brien, business manager at Controlled Environments Company, said CEC was delighted to be a gold sponsor for the awards. “The quality of the entrants is second to none, and it’s tremendous to see the industry showcased in such a way. Congratulations to all the winners on the evening,” he added.

Mark Kelada, senior manager, European laboratory services at Nelipak Laboratory Services, said: “Our award is a huge recognition of the quality of services we provide as well as the societal impact. It was fantastic to see the judges highlighting our strong commitment to both quality and customer service, the ISO 17025 accreditation, the significant revenue growth last year, and the broad range of testing capabilities.”

Simon Fleming, director of innovation at awards gold sponsor Peak Technologies, described the event as “an inspiring evening with amazing people celebrating the innovation and breakthroughs shaping the future of life sciences. Well done to the organisers and looking forward to next year.”

Judging coordinator Eamon Judge, who has been in the role since the inception of the awards in 2023, commented: “The calibre of entries – marked by operational excellence, entrepreneurial spirit and sustained innovation – has consistently impressed our judging panels and strengthened year-on-year. The organisations that emerge as award winners stand as true leaders within their respective categories and may rightly take pride in their accomplishments.”

Winners of the Life Sciences Industry Awards 2025

The evening also celebrated other industry leaders, with Dr Gemma Robinson, founder and chief executive of Acorn Regulatory Consulting Services, receiving the women in life sciences award, while her company claimed the team award. “We’re a small company and our award is a huge achievement for us,” she said.

Ronan Byrne, chief executive at shortlisted Pharmalatch, expressed his thanks “to the organisers, sponsors and fellow industry professionals for a wonderful awards evening”. Ronan Molumby, operations coordinator at triple award winner Deciphex, commented: “It’s important to develop a good company culture and good bonds between the team. That’s what the workplace award is all about – getting on outside of the working professional environment and having a great time while we are working as well.”

In a special recognition of lifetime achievement, Professor Luke O’Neill received the outstanding contribution award, presented by X-Bolt Orthopedics founder and chief executive, Brian Thornes. The distinguished biochemist and immunologist has built an exceptional career studying inflammation and the immune system, co-founding two pharmaceutical companies focused on developing treatments for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. O’Neill is also renowned for his science communication skills, including radio programmes, YouTube videos and bestselling books.

Kevin O’Driscoll, director partnership programmes at awards organiser Business River, noted: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2025 sponsors, who include Controlled Environments Company, Peak Technologies, SGS Pharma, and ACCPRO. I also want to recognise our supporters, Cronin Group and Amárach Research. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”

Awards judges

Eamon Judge (judging coordinator), retired executive director – global engineering, Eli Lilly and Company
Sarah Adams, manager of operations, Abbott Diagnostics Business
Dileep Kumar Boinipally, director, drug product formulation, Metsera
John Crumlish, laboratory manager, Beaumont Hospital
Adrienne Fleming, senior lecturer, TU Dublin
Catherine Giblin, executive and leadership coach
Darren Grant, managing director, Enhanced Information Solutions
Mamata Khirade, healthcare consultant, Citiustech
Stephen Lennon, quality and regulatory specialist, Clonallon Laboratories Ltd
Erika Loizidou, lecturer in drug discovery, UCL School of Pharmacy
Paul McCabe, chief operating officer, VLE Therapeutics Ltd
Matt Moran, chief executive, Matt Moran Consulting
Olivia O’Leary, professor, University College Cork
Toryn Poolman, lecturer, University College London
Denis Ring, lecturer (retired), department of process and chemical engineering, University College Cork
Brian Thornes, chief executive, X-Bolt Orthopedics