New, purpose-built laboratories in Boston’s Building 2 – where construction commenced in 2023 – will provide facilities for teams to design, develop and test next-generation medical technologies across a range of cardiovascular therapies, as well as areas such as heart failure and renal denervation, where a catheter in the kidney can reduce blood pressure.
Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Massachusetts, Boston Scientific employs almost 50,000 staff worldwide, with almost 5,000 in Galway, and a further 2,000 between Cork and Clonmel. It is a global leader in the development of medical devices that impact 30 million patients every year.
Locally, the company manufactures devices including heart stents and valves, vascular balloons and oesophageal stents for patients with throat cancer. More than four million medical devices are now exported from its Galway facility each year. It first set up in Ballybrit in 1994 – the same year major local employer, Digital, wound up its operations.
The latest IDA-supported expansion was formally announced by Galway West TD, Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, yesterday.
“The decision by Boston Scientific to invest again in Galway shows real confidence in the talent and infrastructure available here. The importance of R&D and innovation to Ireland’s economy cannot be overstated,” she said.
“It is achieved through a strong partnership between industry, Government and IDA Ireland and has acknowledged that Galway is now an internationally recognised MedTech hub. This is due in no small part to the presence of Boston Scientific, one of the largest life sciences employers in the country, and I want to very much thank them for their continued investment.”
Lance Bates, a senior executive in Boston Scientific’s Interventional Cardiology and Vascular Therapies division, said there is currently strong momentum across the firm’s cardiovascular business.
“The [Galway] team is delivering complex, highly collaborative work that is advancing meaningful innovation for patients. The strength of the site, the talent in Ireland and the support of the Irish Government and IDA Ireland gives us confidence to continue investing in our future growth.”
Medical devices exported from the Galway facility every year include drug-coated devices, vascular balloons and heart and oesophageal stents. These products help treat patients with conditions including heart disease, vascular disease, oesophageal cancer and those at risk of stroke.
Rachel Shelly is Global Head of Life Sciences at the IDA. “Boston Scientific’s €75 million R&D investment in Galway reinforces Ireland’s leadership in medical technology innovation,” she said. “For more than 30 years, Boston Scientific has invested in advanced manufacturing and innovative technologies in Ireland, benefiting patients, communities and ecosystems locally and globally. IDA Ireland looks forward to continued collaboration with Boston Scientific to advance MedTech excellence.”
In 2022, Boston Scientific invested €100 million upgrading its manufacturing capabilities in Galway, with another €80 million allocated to its Tipperary plant in 2023.
In its last accounts, the Irish arm of the company took in revenues of almost €1.5 billion, with profit recorded at €111 million in 2024. Its overall, global holding company, Boston Scientific Group Limited – also registered in Ireland – reported profits before taxes and charges of €3.65 billion, almost three times higher than its €1.33 billion profit bonanza in 2023.
