Caroline Irwin
Psoriasis Patient Advocate, Irish Skin Foundation
As a child, Caroline Irwin was diagnosed with psoriasis. She has spent most of her life battling the condition, making adjustments to her daily routine so that she could still try to enjoy the things most of us take for granted. But new treatments mean Caroline is able to lead a normal life again. She’s experiencing fewer flare-ups and pain. Finally, she’s able to manage her condition – and get on with living.
Cork Harbour
Cork has a great pharmaceutical innovation story. The harbour is a cluster of European consequence, hosting companies like Novartis, Pfizer, Janssen and BioMarin. Further south, there’s Eli Lilly in Dunderrow, Kinsale. In Brinny, we have MSD. The spill-over effects in the local economy are huge. That’s before we consider the human heath impact of innovation in people’s lives.
Dr Jennifer McAuliffe and Ellen Duggan
Takeda
Ireland’s originator pharmaceutical industry offers great opportunities for young Irish scientists to develop their career in a meaningful way. Takeda’s Dr Jennifer McAuliffe and Ellen Duggan are involved in developing and manufacturing a drug associated with a complication of Crohn’s disease. Seeing patients’ lives improve in the clinical trials makes their work rewarding and impactful.
Dr Orla Cunningham
Pfizer
Dr Orla Cunningham is among the pioneers working hard towards developing new innovative medicines to address unmet medical needs. For her and the drug discovery group she runs at Pfizer, improving the quality of life for patients is at the heart of their work, and it is the patient benefit that forms the starting point in the drug development process.
Eoghan Quinn
Type 1 diabetes patient
Eoghan Quinn is a 31-year-old renewable energy executive from Waterford who has Type 1 diabetes. He’s attempting a solo kitesurf from France to Ireland across the Celtic Sea in under 16 hours this summer. The ‘splash of cash’ journey aims to raise money for Diabetes Ireland. His story shows that you can allow illness to define you negatively – or you can choose to let it set you free.
Westport
In Westport, Allergan employs almost 1,300 people, making it the largest industrial employer in Mayo. The spill-over effects in the local economy are significant. That’s before we consider the human health impact of biopharmaceutical innovation in people’s lives. Westport is in the shadow of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain. Has our industry already peaked in the town? We think the best is yet to come.
