Limerick MEP invites President von der Leyen to tour local pharma hub

EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has been invited to Limerick to tour the pharmaceutical and medical technology sector.

Over 2,600 people are employed in Limerick in companies like Regeneron, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Cook Medical, and Stryker R&D.

MEP for Limerick, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, extended the invitation to President von der Leyen, and has offered to coordinate her visit to Limerick and other locations across the region.

Ms Ní Mhurchú said: “I think it is important that President von der Leyen sees for herself that we are not talking about isolated factories, but rather operations that are deeply integrated into our local communities, with partnerships in schools, universities, regional authorities, and training centres.”

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She added: “I believe this tour would send a strong signal not only to global investors, but to the thousands of workers in our region who are proud to be part of Europe and its leading life sciences economy.”

“I want President von der Leyen to meet the workers, researchers and see for herself how our pharma and med tech industry has created a wider life sciences ecosystem and fostered collaborations with our universities, funded science education in our schools, and supported local charities.”

Ms Ní Mhurchú believes some of the world’s most advanced medicines and medical devices are being made in Limerick. These include biologics, vaccines, oncology treatments, and cardiac devices.