Top pharma exec urges Ireland to focus on gap in industry technology development

Ireland should focus its research endeavour on technology and process development to encourage links with multinationals in high-end manufacturing, a leading pharma executive has said.

Roger Connor, from Downpatrick, runs GlaxoSmithKline's 72 manufacturing plants worldwide, employing 27,000 staff. The Cork plant specialises in piloting products in the development phase, which he says gives it an advantage in securing manufacturing when the finished good is commercialised.

More active role
Mr Connor says Ireland could be playing a more active role.

“If we are going to introduce new technology [in pharmaceutical or consumer health production], I need an environment where I can hook into academia more easily,” Mr Connor said.

“I run what is called a seek, incubate, industrialise approach for our technology. We look. We try to find things that are out in other industries that nobody else would think of in pharma and we try to apply it.”

He said the group – one of the largest manufacturers in pharmaceuticals as well as running a major consumer health business – has a small team tracking down such innovation, typically in the US. It is in the incubate stage that Mr Connor believes Ireland can make its mark and he has raised the issue of technology centres with Taoiseach Enda Kenny during a recent visit.

'Sandpit environment'
"Where can I sandpit the technologies? Where I can throw a problem – because I can't be resourced [in house] to solve every tech issue I have – where can I throw it to academia in a sandpit environment?," Mr Connor said.

"They work it with our people, seconded in. They solve the problem and I bring it back in and I industrialise it. I might throw out 20 problems and only get one solved but that can be the one that makes the difference and I think that is where Ireland could play more of a role in helping," not just GSK, but the wider industrial sector.