Life Sciences in the Spotlight During Trade Mission to Florida by Ireland's Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

DUBLIN, IRELAND and MIAMI, FL--(Marketwire - Sep 20, 2011) - On the second leg of a four-day Enterprise Ireland-supported trade mission to the South East US, Ireland's Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton arrives in Florida. Here he will visit with Governor Rick Scott and lead a delegation of Irish executives in meetings with business leaders and academicians. Life sciences will dominate the day's events given Florida's leadership in this area. Few States compare to Florida for its density of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. And the volume of clinical trials initiated here is among the highest in the nation. This makes the State a natural draw for Irish life sciences companies who account for more than 50 percent of Ireland's exports and represent a cornerstone of the country's economy. The trade mission intends to forge new connections, engagements and partnerships for Irish companies within this rich local ecosystem.

A key driver of Florida's life sciences innovation is the University of Miami, Florida's preeminent medical research institute. Today, Minister Bruton will attend the official opening of the university's new Life Science and Technology Park -- an initiative designed to further develop life sciences, technology and biotechnology innovations. At the event, the university will sign a Memo of Understanding with Ireland's i360medical [formerly the RCIS-Center for Innovation in Surgical Technology].

Also at the University of Miami today, Enterprise Ireland will stage a Partnering Forum for Irish life sciences companies to promote connections with Florida-based counterparts. Participants include: Qumas, Mergon Healthcare, Innopharma Labs, GenCell BioSystems, HKPB Scientific, Oneview, Trinity College Medical School, Luxcell Biosciences, H2 Compliance, Allergy Standards Limited and Neosurgical. Enterprise Ireland will also co-host a lunch for local dignitaries and business leaders with the Miami Chamber of Commerce.

"Ireland and Florida have much in common -- especially when it comes to the life sciences," said Enterprise Ireland's CEO, Frank Ryan. "We're both committed to creating environments that attract and support businesses while growing jobs. It's a strategy that's worked well for Ireland as it has done for Florida. Today, our country is home to 18 of the world's top 20 pharmaceutical companies. And six of the world's top 10 drugs are manufactured exclusively in Ireland. We house 15 of the world's top 17 medical device manufacturers, making our cluster the largest in Europe. This wealth of investment, coupled with the government's sustained research funding, has given rise to exceptional indigenous companies, some of which are present today in Miami."

To learn more about Enterprise Ireland, please visit www.enterprise-ireland.com.