Galway-based MedTech innovator Aerogen has marked a significant milestone this week with the production of its 20 millionth nebulizer.
Founded in Galway in 1997, Aerogen is Ireland’s largest indigenous MedTech company and a world leader in hospital-based aerosol dug delivery. Its multi-award-winning Aerogen Solo product is used by hospital caregivers around the world to aerosolise drugs for acutely compromised respiratory patients, including during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The milestone comes during the company’s year-long celebration of its 25th anniversary, which includes 25 events and initiatives to thank its employees, customers, and the communities in which it operates, as well as signficant charitable and philanthropic contributions, amounting to more than €100,000 so far with more planned.
“I would like to congratulate Aerogen on their 25th anniversary and producing their 20 millionth device,” Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, said at an event to mark the occasion this week. “This great Irish medtech company has gone from strength-to-strength, establishing a strong presence in international markets, creating and sustaining high quality jobs here in the west of Ireland, while continuing to invest in innovation.
“I wish John, Brendan and all the team the very best for the future. Enterprise Ireland looks forward to continuing to work with the company on their growth trajectory, improving the outcomes for so many respiratory patients and their families right across the globe for the next 25 years and beyond.”
Starting in a room above a butcher’s shop in Galway back in 1997, Aerogen now has headquarters in Galway and manufacturing facilities in both Parkmore and Shannon, and supports customers and patients in more than 75 countries.
The company has tripled its workforce in the past five years to 500 employees operating in 28 countries. It is also continuing its expansion, with 110 new employees introduced in 2023 and a further 50 multidisciplinary positions recently announced.
“The 20 millionth product is an incredible milestone for us to achieve during our 25 year celebrations,” John Power, Aerogen CEO and founder, said this week. “Our journey has been marked by relentless dedication to innovation led and customer-centric solutions, and while we today rightly celebrate a production milestone, we also reflect on the acutely sick patients those products have played a key role in treating. To be able to impact the clinical outcome for one person is a great privilege, to be involved in the treatment of 20 million individual patients globally is not alone a huge privilege but also an incredible honour for us all at Aerogen.”
The 20 millionth Aerogen Solo was packaged in a unique gold-branded box. The customer who receives this shipment will be acknowledged with a €10,000 donation to the charity of their choice (subject to terms and conditions ).
“Irish businesses like Aerogen are the backbone of our economy, scaling and growing their footprint overseas, while continuing to develop and nurture the team back home,” said Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employent Neale Richmond, who attended this week’s milestone event. “I am delighted that Aerogen, an Enterprise Ireland supported company which started its life back in 1997, has now grown to be an international player on the world stage working with and developing lifesaving respiratory devices and clinical products for the health sector globally.
“Today’s milestone anniversary is a testament to the talent of all of Aerogen’s staff. The work and dedication of the team was particularly apparent during the pandemic when life-saving products including the Aerogen Solo device were used to treat, and continues to treat, Covid-19 patients worldwide. I would like to congratulate John Power and his team and wish them the very best for the future,” the Minister concluded.
