US company Biomerics to open Galway facility

US medical device contract manufacturer Biomerics is opening a new facility in Galway that will lead to the creation of about 40 jobs over the next five years.

The group said it would open a 2,000sq ft centre of excellence dedicated to the research, development, and manufacturing of medical balloons and balloon catheters.

It will act as an extension to operations in Athens, Texas, and will be the company’s first facility in Europe and its second outside the United States after Costa Rica.

Biomerics commercial director Jhovanny Ortega will lead the facility, which will be dedicated to designing and developing complex balloon components used in medical devices and applications using various materials.

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“I look forward to leading a group of individuals and creating cohesive teams that ultimately support the Biomerics vision,” Mr Ortega said.

The new office will be located at 2 Liosban Business Park in Galway. Biomerics said it chose Galway due to the region’s significant cluster of medical device companies, a skilled labour pool, an international reputation and access to suppliers and vendors.

The office will be equipped with multiple balloon-forming machines, “state-of-the-art” test equipment and a cleanroom.

“Having this new location is another step in our strategic growth plan,” said Todd McFarland, president of Biomerics. “We continue to see a strong need around balloon component development.”

Biomerics chief executive Travis Sessions said: “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.

“Biomerics strongly believes in fielding teams with excellent skill sets. We think it is essential to use an exploratory approach to designing and developing balloon components for a variety of critical medical device applications.

“Jhovanny and his team will be the key to success for this facility, and we have every belief that he will thrive. We are always looking for new ways to innovate as it is the lifeblood of any company, and adding a location here in Ireland helps us magnify our efforts and strengthen our vision.”

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