IDA Ireland - Irish government Investment Development Agency at BioEurope 2008 Madrid

IDA Ireland (Investment and Development Agency) is responsible for
the attraction and development of Foreign Direct Investment in Ireland
and the provision of unparalleled ad hoc support to over 1000
international companies with operations in Ireland. The
characteristics that define Ireland are embedded in its people, their
business and their attitude to work and life - ´Knowledge is in our
nature´.

The Biopharmaceutical industry is one of IDA Ireland´s most
valuable sectors with exports of over EUR 43 billion p.a. and
employing over 35,000 people. With 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical
companies worldwide now being based in Ireland (notably Pfizer,
Novartis and Wyeth) and 7 out of 10 of the world´s top selling drugs
being produced in Ireland, IDA Ireland has successfully contributed to
the dynamic and entrepreneurial growth of the industry.

Recent investments in Biopharmaceuticals include significant
investment from Wyeth, Elan, Schering Plough, Genzyme, Teva, Gilead,
GeneMedix and Lancaster Laboratories Many of these projects come from
companies re-investing in Ireland as they become aware of the level of
skills and ability available. Additionally, there is indigenous
company activity with the formation of first-class Irish companies
such as Biotrin, Archport, Trinity Biotech and EiRx.

Building on previous strategies to be a global leader in the life
sciences, in 2006, the Government of Ireland established a strategic
plan for Science, Technology & Innovation that includes EUR 8.2b
investment by 2013. The objectives are to: double the postgraduates;
promote greater commercialization of ideas and know-how of
universities and public research institutions; increase participation
in fields of sciences; increase translational research activity; and
allocate significant resources to supporting enterprise R & D with a
Business Expenditure in Research & Development (BERD) target of EUR
2.5b by 2013.

There is also strong emphasis on research collaboration with the
University sector. Recent biopharmaceutical research projects
incorporating corporate links have seen investments by Wyeth,
Medtronic, Proctor & Gamble, Pfizer and Servier in programmes with
Irish Universities. In 2006, 54 R&D investment projects were supported
by IDA involving a total investment of almost EUR 470m.

IDA Ireland is thus considered to be a unique gateway for foreign
investors wishing to benefit from Ireland´s favourable corporation tax
regime, high calibre pools of labour, important subsidies, access to
the EU market and strong pro-business attitude.

IDA Ireland is exhibiting at BioEurope Spring 2008 and happy to
meet with executives from global life sciences companies. If you wish
to understand what Ireland can offer your company, please find us at
Booth 6 of BioEurope Spring 2008.

For further information please visit www.idaireland.com and
www.sfi.ie