Boston Scientific Invests €75 Million in Galway R&D Expansion, Cementing Ireland's MedTech Status
Medical device giant Boston Scientific has announced a €75 million investment in a major research and development expansion at its Galway facility, reinforcing Ireland's position as one of the world's leading hubs for cardiovascular innovation, the company confirmed on 15 April 2026.
The investment, supported by IDA Ireland and the Irish government, will fund the construction of new, purpose-built laboratories designed to develop and test next-generation medical technologies across a range of cardiovascular therapies.
Background
Boston Scientific has maintained a presence in Ireland for over 30 years, employing more than 7,000 people across sites in Galway, Cork, and Clonmel. The Galway facility is the company's primary European hub for cardiovascular device development, producing products including drug-coated devices, vascular balloons, and heart and oesophageal stents used to treat conditions such as heart disease, vascular disease, and stroke risk.
Key Developments
The new R&D laboratories will focus on developing technologies for heart failure and renal denervation — a procedure that disrupts nerve supply to the kidneys to help lower blood pressure. Lance Bates, executive vice president and president of Interventional Cardiology and Vascular Therapies at Boston Scientific, expressed confidence in the Galway team and the Irish government's support for future growth.
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton welcomed the announcement, highlighting the importance of R&D and innovation to Ireland's economy and acknowledging Galway as an internationally recognised MedTech hub. The investment is expected to create new high-skilled jobs and further enhance the company's innovation capabilities on the west coast of Ireland.
Why It Matters
The announcement underscores the continued attractiveness of Ireland for foreign direct investment, particularly in high-value sectors like life sciences and medical devices. Ireland's MedTech sector is one of the largest in Europe, and investments of this scale help sustain the country's competitive advantage in attracting global companies.
What's Next
Construction of the new laboratories is expected to begin in the coming months. The expansion builds on a €100 million investment Boston Scientific made in its Galway campus in 2022. Full details are available from RTÉ News.
