Sligo Chamber Welcome JenaValve to Sligo
JenaValve initiates heart valve manufacturing capabilities in Sligo, Ireland- 28th October 2014
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD today (Tuesday) welcomed the announcement that medical device manufacturer JenaValve Technology Inc. has begun establishing manufacturing capabilities in Sligo to create its next generation heart valves. JenaValve will be the first company to produce structural heart valves in Ireland. This development is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland. It is a significant addition to the Life Sciences sector in the North West and Ireland’s Medical Technologies cluster generally. The news is a significant boost for employment in Sligo and the regional economy.
Speaking from east coast USA where he is leading a 5-day IDA investment mission seeking to win new projects for Ireland, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Richard Bruton said: “This announcement is a great boost for Sligo and the North West. Manufacturing is a sector which we have specifically targeted as part of our Action Plan for Jobs – this is an area which has been neglected in recent decades, but which offers huge potential for employment particularly in regional locations. Today’s announcement that JenaValve, a highly innovative company in this area, is establishing a facility in Sligo is a great example of what is possible in this area.”
“I know that there has been excellent cooperation between JenaValve, the IDA, my Department and the Joan Burton’s Department in training unemployed people to fill some of these roles. As part of the Pathways to Work strategy, we have put in place measures to ensure that long-term unemployed people can get access to the job opportunities that emerge in multinational companies, and this is a great example of these strategies in action. I wish to pay tribute to all involved, and wish JenaValve every success with their operations in Sligo”.
John Migliazza, Chief Operations Officer, JenaValve commented: “We are very excited to initiate heart valve manufacturing capabilities in Sligo, Ireland. We are impressed with the support and enthusiasm that we have seen across the Irish system and look forward to being a part of the well-established medical device industry in Ireland.”
IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan said: “IDA Ireland has partnered with JenaValve and our partners in education and Department of Social Welfare to bring this project to fruition. Medical device manufacturing is a key component of the Irish economy – and Ireland provides leading global companies with a terrific offering based around talent and track record in the sector. The cardiovascular segment has delivered tremendous sustainable employment across Ireland over many years – the addition of aortic valve or structural heart manufacture demonstrates Ireland’s ability to understand sectors and clients and to deliver on their needs. The innovative nature of the company is complemented by the innovative approach taken by IDA Ireland and our stakeholder partners to enable this investment.”
About JenaValve
JenaValve Technology Inc., based in Irvine, California and Munich, Germany develops, manufactures and markets transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) systems to treat patients suffering from aortic valve disease. The Company’s transapical TAVI system is CE marked and currently marketed in Europe and other markets worldwide. JenaValve has a pipeline of novel Transapical (TA) and Transfemoral (TF) products which are designed to treat both Aortic Insufficiency and Aortic Stenosis. JenaValve is partnering with the FDA on a Fast Track designation. The FDA reserves the Fast Track designation for innovative technologies which meet unmet clinical needs. Additionally, JenaValve plans to commercialize it new TA and TF products in Europe during 2016.
JenaValve is backed by world-class U.S., European and Asian investors, including Atlas Venture, Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners, GIMV, NeoMed Management, Legend Capital, VI Partners, Sunstone Capital, Omega Funds, Biovest and Valiance Advisors.
Additional information is available at www.jenavalve.com