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MAJOR development which makes a Limerick medical device company the sole supplier of a product for which there is a huge worldwide demand looks like giving a big high-end jobs boost for the city.
In a decision that could enhance future employment and growth at its Irish manufacturing operation, Cook Medical has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to sell its Zilver stent in the United States, which is expected to be the world’s biggest market for the device.
The device, which is manufactured at Plassey in Limerick, has been used to treat more than 15,000 patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) across Europe since it was made available in September 2009. It is now available in more than 50 countries including Japan, Taiwan, Australia and Brazil.
No figure has yet been put on the jobs which that are likely to be created as a result but with a research and development facility now on the cards, it’s expected to bring a major employment boost.
Bill Doherty, Cook Medical executive vice-president EMEA, said: “U.S. approval of the Zilver PTX stent means our Limerick plant will play an even more critical role in bringing Cook Medical’s technologies to patients. As our Limerick operation moves to become the sole manufacturer of this device globally, we’re ensuring both the stable growth of Cook Ireland and enhancing Ireland’s reputation as a world-class cluster for medical devices.”
Cook Medical established its Irish operations in 1996. Limerick has since become a key site for the Zilver product line. The company has announced an investment of up to €16.5 million over the next four years with government support through IDA Ireland.
This will result in a state-of-the-art research and development laboratory due to open in 2013, and this will place Limerick as a leading manufacturing and development facility for the stent technology.
