City-based US medical technologies giant Covidien has announced an investment of more than €25 million in six separate research and development projects, including two in Galway.

The multi-national company is to undertake two major R&D projects in partnership with its existing facilities in Mervue and Athlone, while NUI Galway is among four independent facilities that will benefit from the €25 million investment.

The projects involve the development of respiratory care products for ventilation and airway management. Covidien and the Irish government, through investment promotion agency, IDA are jointly supporting the projects, which will create an as-yet undetermined number of research positions.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Covidien, Jo E. Almeida said Ireland’s record of fostering successful innovation was key to the decision to locate the projects in this country.

“These advanced research and development projects represent a significant future pipeline of innovative products for Covidien. They also may produce important data to further patient health and safety. Innovation is and will remain a critical contributor to our company’s strong competitive advantage in the medical devices market, to Ireland’s business growth and high-technology job creation, and to the world’s economic recovery.”

The announcement of the projects was made Wednesday with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, and with IDA Ireland CEO Barry O’Leary.

Minister Bruton said: “This is great news for Athlone and Galway, and represents evidence of Covidien’s strong commitment to high-end activities in Ireland. It is a welcome endorsement of Ireland’s record in research and development and represents a further boost for the vibrant medical devices sector here.”

Mr. O’Leary said: “The projects will reinforce Ireland’s position as a global hub for medical technologies, employing the highest number of medical technologies personnel per capita in Europe. Nearly 60 percent of the medical technology companies with operations in Ireland conduct R&D locally, which is important for the sector’s continued growth and vitality.”

See full story in this week's Connacht Tribune.