Bristol Myers Squibb has been named industry company of the year at the Pharma Industry Awards 2025 in recognition of its excellence, innovation, and leadership within Ireland’s pharma sector.
The award was presented at a gala ceremony at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, where 538 attendees gathered to celebrate achievements across the pharmaceutical industry. Colm O’Regan hosted the event, which saw 28 trophies awarded from 138 entries across multiple categories.
Bristol Myers Squibb first began operations in Ireland in 1964 with an active pharmaceutical ingredient plant in Swords, Co Dublin. Employment since then has expanded to approximately 650 people, and current operations include a biologics drug substance manufacturing facility at Cruiserath in west Dublin and external manufacturing divisions in Blanchardstown and Shannon, Co Clare.
As well as the main award, Bristol Myers Squibb was presented with trophies in the advanced manufacturing and communications award categories. The distinguished judging panel described Bristol Myers Squibb as a driving force in healthcare innovation, advancing medical science through a deep commitment to research and patient wellbeing.
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“Their pursuit of excellence continues to set benchmarks across the industry, combining scientific rigour with compassion and collaboration,” said the award citation. “By fostering breakthroughs that change lives, they exemplify the transformative power of dedication and vision. Bristol Myers Squibb continues to shape the future of medicine with purpose, passion, and integrity.”
Launched in 2014, the Pharma Industry Awards recognise and celebrate the most original and innovative individuals and companies that demonstrate excellence in Ireland’s pharma industry. The other multiple award winners at the gala event were AbbVie, MSD, Pfizer, Amgen, Q1 Scientific, National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), and Almac Pharma Services.
Site leader Colin Rooney was presented with the pharma leader award. The judges referenced Rooney’s outstanding career spanning over two decades in pharmaceutical manufacturing. “Colin has positioned the Little Island site as a global benchmark for performance, innovation, and compliance,” said the award citation. “His leadership has driven record-breaking output, major cost and carbon reductions, and a thriving, inclusive culture.”
Rooney commented: “The award recognition reflects the incredible commitment and talent of our team. Their hard work makes everything possible, and this award belongs to them.”
Viatris Little Island was the award winner in the large pharma project category. The judging panel said the Cork manufacturing facility exemplifies excellence through an innovative lean management programme, driving improvement through investment, the retention of technical expertise and product delivery.
Brendan Pyne said the project award was “great recognition for the superb abilities and dedication of our colleagues on site to deliver this significant upgrade in a live plant without impacting on safety, quality or supply”.
Seamus Keane, vice president pharma and healthcare Europe at Kuehne + Nagel, remarked: “As title sponsor for nine consecutive years, we proudly support the Pharma Industry Awards because they celebrate innovation, collaboration, and excellence. These awards spotlight the breakthroughs and progress driving healthcare forward, strengthening Ireland’s pharma sector and inspiring continued growth that benefits scientific advancement, healthcare delivery, and the wider industry.”
Judging coordinator Matt Moran described the award entries as top-class, covering all aspects of the pharma industry and its associated services. “The entries demonstrated real innovation at work and it was heartening to see companies embrace the principles of diversity and inclusion,” he said.
“Companies are deploying technology such as artificial intelligence to ensure that they stay competitive and can keep delivering medicines to society, and they continue to take their responsibility to manage their environmental impact very seriously. The Pharma Industry Awards 2025 provide strong evidence of a sector committed to long-term success.”
Tom Tobin, sales director at platinum sponsor Micro-Bio, said the company supports the Pharma Industry Awards because they showcase the outstanding work shaping the industry’s future. “Celebrating excellence sparks new ideas, strengthens collaboration, and raises standards. These awards play a vital role in recognising progress that ultimately benefits patients, communities, and the wider life sciences sector,” he explained.
PTC Therapeutics International was shortlisted in four award categories. Senior vice president and general manager, growth and emerging markets, and director Adrian Haigh remarked that the Pharma Industry Awards highlight the innovation and varied talent driving Ireland’s life sciences sector. “To be a finalist for four awards - including biotech company of the year - among such strong peers is a real endorsement of our strategy, our people and our focus on improving patients’ lives,” he added.
David Sheedy, head of life science manufacturing Ireland, Cognizant, said the company proudly supports the awards because they celebrate excellence and innovation. “Recognising talent and best practices drives progress, inspires collaboration, and strengthens the industry’s future,” he said. “Such platforms empower professionals to share knowledge and raise standards, ensuring continued growth and impact in life sciences.”
Among the shortlisted finalists, Kieran Falvey at Pharmalliance Consulting said Ireland’s pharma sector shows real resilience and global leadership in uncertain times. “It was energising to speak with leaders driving the industry forward, and we’re proud to support that momentum with strategic, practical compliance support,” he added.
Daveena Jassar at Orion GXP Consulting remarked: “As regulatory expectations and technological advancements accelerate, the focus on strong quality systems and skilled professionals has never been more important for the future of Ireland’s life sciences industry.”
Joe Lyons at Business Platforms noted: “Ireland’s pharma and biopharma sector stands as a hub of innovation and excellence, an integral cog in global healthcare, empowering breakthroughs that transform lives, driven by vision, talent, and an unwavering commitment to advancement.”
Miriam O’Sullivan, Amgen’s plant manager executive director, was presented with the women in pharma award. The award citation described her career as is a blueprint for technical mastery, strategic ascent and operational transformation. O’Sullivan said she was honoured to be recognised “amongst such inspiring, talented and wonderful people”.
Judging coordinator Alice Redmond said Ireland’s pharmaceutical and life sciences industry takes great pride in the continued success and prestige of the Pharma Industry Awards. “They have become a defining platform for recognising excellence, innovation, and leadership across the sector,” she stated. “As Ireland continues to play a pivotal role in delivering life-changing healthcare solutions worldwide, these awards serve as an enduring tribute to the talent, integrity, and impact of those shaping its future.”
Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at awards organiser BusinessRiver, said: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our title sponsor, Kuehne + Nagel, and our platinum sponsors, Micro-Bio and Cognizant, and our gold sponsors, Camida, BOC Gases Ireland, Synergy Security Solutions, Skycell, BioPharmaChem Skillnet, Exyte, Tandem Project Management Ltd., QuickStat, a Kuehne+ Nagel company, Controlled Environments Company, Cencora Pharmalex, Cold Chain Technologies, SGS Pharma, CSafe, OBW Technologies and Making Shift Happen”
“I also want to recognise our supporters, Cronin Group, Amárach Research, NIBRT, Shannon ABC and The Pharmaceutical Managers Institute (the PMI).
Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”
Sponsors and supporters
Title sponsor
- Kuehne + Nagel
Platinum sponsors
- Micro-Bio
- Cognizant
Gold sponsors
- Camida
- BOC Gases Ireland
- Synergy Security Solutions
- Skycell
- BioPharmaChem Skillnet
- Exyte
- Tandem Project Management Ltd.
- QuickStat, a Kuehne+Nagel company
- Controlled Environments Company
- Cencora Pharmalex
- Cold Chain Technologies
- SGS Pharma
- CSafe
- OBW Technologies
- Making Shift Happen
Supporters
- Cronin Group
- Amárach Research
- NIBRT
- Shannon ABC
- The Pharmaceutical Managers Institute (PMI)
Awards judges
- Matt Moran (judging coordinator), chief executive, Matt Moran Consulting
- Alice Redmond (judging coordinator), chief risk and quality officer, CAI
- Michael Brennan, senior director global engineering technology, Hollister ULC
- Nuala Calnan, chief executive, Biopharm Excel, and founder, Quality Risk Management Institute (QRMi)
- Rachel Carmichael, executive director, NSF
- Dr Patricia Ennis, occupational safety and health (OSH) consultant
- Catherine Giblin, leadership coach and mentor, CGiblin Leadership Coaching & Mentoring
- John Henchion, vice president for Europe, CAI
- Eamon Judge, retired executive director - global engineering, Eli Lilly and Company
- Dr Michael Kilkelly, senior executive EHS, BioPharmaChem Ireland (Ibec)
- Sandra Lenihan, senior lecturer, MTU
- Anita Maguire, professor, UCC
- Jai Prakash Mehta, lecturer, SETU
- Una Moore, lecturer, RCSI
- Kieran Nolan, associate professor, school of chemical sciences, DCU
- Susan Neenan, senior director supplier and material risk quality, Alexion Pharmaceuticals rare disease unit (RDU) AstraZeneca
- Lorraine O’Driscoll, professor of pharmacology and biomedicine, TCD
- Joseph O’Shea, senior lecturer in pharmaceutics, UCC
- Micheal Quealy, director, technology partnership, MSD Dundalk
- Dr Bernadette Whelan, lecturer in pharmaceutical science, SETU Waterford
Awards winners
Pharma industry company of the year (sponsored by Kuehne + Nagel)
Winner: Bristol Myers Squibb
Pharma company of the year - large (sponsored by Exyte)
Winner: AbbVie Ireland
Biotech company of the year (sponsored by Micro-Bio)
Winner: Celtic Biotech
Pharma contract services company of the year (sponsored by QuickStat, a Kuehne+Nagel company)
Winner: Arriello Ireland
Sustainability initiative of the year
Winner: Pfizer External Supply Ireland
Advanced manufacturing award
Winner: Bristol Myers Squibb
Biopharma company of the year (sponsored by Kuehne + Nagel)
Winner: AbbVie Ireland
Pharma project of the year - large
Winner: Viatris Little Island - Implementation of New DIW System in Live Plant
Supply chain achievement award (sponsored by Skycell)
Winner: Pfizer External Supply Ireland
Engineering project of the year (sponsored by BOC Gases Ireland)
Winner: Amgen - Transforming syringe reliability
Operational excellence award (sponsored by CSafe)
Winner: MSD Ireland
Operational excellence award - small
Winner: Q1 Scientific
Pharma facility of the year (sponsored by Synergy Security Solutions)
Winner: Almac Pharma Services
Diversity, equality and inclusion strategy of the year (sponsored by Making Shift Happen)
Winner: MSD Ireland
Women in pharma award (sponsored by Cencora Pharmalex)
Winner: Amgen - Miriam O’Sullivan
Women in pharma award - small (sponsored by Kuehne + Nagel)
Winner: Q1 Scientific - Aideen Glynn
Pharma research centre of the year
Winner: National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT)
Research and development achievement award (sponsored by OBW Technologies)
Winner: Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre
Corporate social responsibility programme of the year (sponsored by Camida)
Winner: Uniphar Medtech - Local Competitive Advantage
Innovation of the year (sponsored by Cold Chain Technologies)
Winner: Deciphex
Best use of technology award (sponsored by Cognizant)
Winner: LEP Biomedical
Health and safety award (sponsored by Controlled Environments Company)
Winner: APC and VLE Therapeutics
Pharma supplier of the year
Winner: Almac Pharma Services
Pharma education and training award
Winner: RCSI - MSc Technologies and Analytics in Precision Medicine
Graduate training programme of the year (sponsored by BioPharmaChem Skillnet)
Winner: Cognizant
Partnership alliance of the year
Winner: NIBRT and ATU
Communications award (sponsored by Tandem Project Management Ltd.)
Winner: Bristol Myers Squibb
Pharma leader 2025 (sponsored by SGS Pharma)
Recipient: Colin Rooney, Viatris Little Island
