Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease welcomed government officials, academic leaders, and industry partners to its hub in Cork, reinforcing the company’s commitment to productive partnerships and collaborative relationships within Ireland’s life sciences sector.
Alongside established global operations in Dublin and Athlone, the Cork hub demonstrates Alexion’s dedication to building enduring connections across Ireland. The country continues to play a vital role as a global supply chain hub, delivering life-changing rare disease therapies worldwide—a complex mission that depends on strong collaboration to ensure quality, safety and timely access for patients in need.
Cork serves as a base for senior technical roles in manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and technical operations, positioning Alexion and AstraZeneca as active contributors to a vibrant regional life sciences community. Cork and the wider Munster region boast a robust talent pool and leading academic institutions, which enables shared innovation and professional development.
Cork hub for rare disease research
Across Dublin, Athlone, and Cork, Alexion and AstraZeneca employ approximately 1,400 people in development, manufacturing, supply, and commercial roles, working together with colleagues, partners, and educational experts to advance solutions for rare disease patients.
Shane Doyle, Senior Vice President, Global Operations and Sustainability, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, commented: “Ireland has long stood as a cornerstone of our global network, and our partnerships here reflect both our confidence in the country’s talent, infrastructure, and supportive business environment, and our shared commitment to collaboration. Working closely within the Irish life sciences community allows us to enhance specialist capabilities in supply chain and technical operations, ultimately delivering our life-changing medicines to more patients around the world.”
Sylvia Kiely, VP, Global Supply Chain and Product Strategy Lead, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, said: “Cork represents a convergence of talent and academic excellence, and we look forward to deepening our relationships across Munster’s educational institutions and life sciences ecosystem. By working together, we nurture future talent and build on the region’s strengths through ongoing collaboration and shared purpose.”
Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, added: “I would like to congratulate Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease on establishing its operations hub in Cork. Their presence here underscores Ireland and indeed Cork’s reputation as a key hub for the life sciences sector. With its well-established talent base, robust infrastructure, and pro-business environment, Ireland continues to attract strategic investments from world-leading companies. I would like to wish Alexion every success in the coming years.”
Alexion in Ireland
Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease in Ireland employs ~1,400 people across sites in Dublin, Athlone and Cork. Alexion is focused on the highly specialist development, manufacturing, supply, and distribution of AstraZeneca’s Rare Disease portfolio. Pairing vast technical capability with deep scientific knowledge our people across Ireland lead the sector in creating innovative sustainable solutions to meet the complex needs of rare disease patients throughout the world.
Alexion
Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease is focused on serving patients and families affected by rare diseases and devastating conditions through the discovery, development and delivery of life-changing medicines. A pioneering leader in rare disease for more than three decades, Alexion was the first to translate the complex biology of the complement system into transformative medicines, and today it continues to build a diversified pipeline across disease areas with significant unmet need, using an array of innovative modalities. As part of AstraZeneca, Alexion is continually expanding its global geographic footprint to serve more rare disease patients around the world. Follow Alexion on social media @Alexion.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Headquartered in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on social media @AstraZeneca.
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