Novartis in Ireland
Company Overview
- Novartis Ireland Limited is the Irish affiliate of Swiss-based Novartis AG – one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.
- Reflecting our commitment to innovation, 19.8% of pharma net sales globally is invested back into research and development, focusing on the areas of greatest patient need and scientific promise1. Watch here to see the impact of innovation and collaboration on patients lives in Ireland.
Novartis is one of Ireland’s leading employers in the healthcare industry. One of the first pharmaceutical companies to locate in Ireland in the 1950’s, Novartis has a strong history of investing in Ireland over the last sixty years.
Novartis currently employs approximately 1,400 people across 3 locations in Cork and Dublin. Novartis manufacturing and development is based in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork. In March 2013 Novartis announced the establishment of a Global Business Services Center in Elm Park. Novartis Pharmaceuticals is also based in Elm Park2. In 2019, Novartis Gene Therapies located to Santry, Co Dublin.
Novartis Commercial Operations
Over the past 10 years, the Irish Pharmaceutical industry has invested close to €10 billion in manufacturing and research sites around the country. Ireland hosts 75 pharmaceutical companies, including all of the top 10 in the world. In 1988, just 5,200 worked in the pharmaceutical industry. Today, international pharmaceutical companies directly employ 30,000 people, with about as many more working in spin-off jobs3.
Novartis Gene Therapies
Novartis Gene Therapies, is redefining the possibilities for patients and families affected by life-threatening genetic diseases through our innovative gene therapy platform. Novartis Gene Therapies has located its European quality, distribution and logistics in North Dublin.
Novartis
Novartis has seven healthcare priorities: Neuroscience, Cardiology, Dermatology & Rheumatology, Cell & Gene therapies, Eyecare, Respiratory and Oncology. Novartis has been recognised as having one of the best pipelines. In terms of the number of clinical trials, Novartis ranks number three in Ireland2. For more information on our products, please go to www.medicines.ie
Novartis Global Services Center
The Novartis Global Service Center (NGSC), Dublin, was set up in 2013 and is located in a state-of-the-art facility in Ballsbridge. The center, one of five around the world, delivers a broad variety of services to the Novartis divisions and organisations globally.
Services offered by the Dublin team include Scientific and Commercial Services, IT, HR Services and Procurement.
NGSC Dublin has a deep talent pool driving innovation, standardisation and world-class service delivery. There are currently more than 700 associates employed at the site with 38 nationalities speaking 29 languages. Almost half of the associates are educated to master’s degree level while 17% hold a PhD2.
Technical and Chemical Operations at Novartis Ringaskiddy
Established over twenty five years ago, the Novartis Ringaskiddy campus is proud to be part of a unique pharma cluster in Cork with nine life sciences companies located in the region. Novartis Ringaskiddy is home to two Novartis organisations and approximately 500 employees, Novartis Ringaskiddy Ltd (NRL), a chemical operations manufacturing facility. Operational since 1994, NRL manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients for a range of respiratory, cardiovascular and transplantation medicines.
Since 1998, Novartis Ringaskiddy is also home to NIS (Novartis Integrated Services) a global service centre providing integrated supply services for Novartis through a number of professional service functions.

IDA Ireland published a short video on Novartis Ringaskiddy. To access the video please click here.
101526 December 2020
References:
- Novartis Data on File 2019
- Novartis Economic Footprint, IE02/GEA19-CNF001a January 2020
- IPHA Manifesto 2018, p21