Bristol Myers Squibb has been named industry company of the year at the Pharma Industry Awards 2025 in recognition of its excellence, innovation, and leadership within Ireland’s pharma sector.The award was presented at a gala ceremony at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, where 538 attendees gathered to celebrate achievements across the pharmaceutical industry. Colm O’Regan hosted the event, which saw 28 trophies awarded from 138 entries across multiple categories.Bristol Myers Squibb first began operations in Ireland in 1964 with an active pharmaceutical ingredient plant in Swords, Co Dublin. Employment since then has expanded to approximately 650 people, and current operations include a biologics drug substance manufacturing facility at Cruiserath in west Dublin and external manufacturing divisions in Blanchardstown and Shannon, Co Clare. As well as the main award, Bristol Myers Squibb was presented with trophies in the advanced manufacturing and communications award categories. The distinguished judging panel described Bristol Myers Squibb as a driving force in healthcare innovation, advancing medical science through a deep commitment to research and patient wellbeing. “Their pursuit of excellence continues to set benchmarks across the industry, combining scientific rigour with compassion and collaboration,” said the award citation. “By fostering breakthroughs that change lives, they exemplify the transformative power of dedication and vision. Bristol Myers Squibb continues to shape the future of medicine with purpose, passion, and integrity.”Launched in 2014, the Pharma Industry Awards recognise and celebrate the most original and innovative individuals and companies that demonstrate excellence in Ireland’s pharma industry. The other multiple award winners at the gala event were AbbVie, MSD, Pfizer, Amgen, Q1 Scientific, National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), and Almac Pharma Services.Site leader Colin Rooney was presented with the pharma leader award. The judges referenced Rooney’s outstanding career spanning over two decades in pharmaceutical manufacturing. “Colin has positioned the Little Island site as a global benchmark for performance, innovation, and compliance,” said the award citation. “His leadership has driven record-breaking output, major cost and carbon reductions, and a thriving, inclusive culture.”Rooney commented: “The award recognition reflects the incredible commitment and talent of our team. Their hard work makes everything possible, and this award belongs to them.”Viatris Little Island was the award winner in the large pharma project category. The judging panel said the Cork manufacturing facility exemplifies excellence through an innovative lean management programme, driving improvement through investment, the retention of technical expertise and product delivery.Brendan Pyne said the project award was “great recognition for the superb abilities and dedication of our colleagues on site to deliver this significant upgrade in a live plant without impacting on safety, quality or supply”.Seamus Keane, vice president pharma and healthcare Europe at Kuehne + Nagel, remarked: “As title sponsor for nine consecutive years, we proudly support the Pharma Industry Awards because they celebrate innovation, collaboration, and excellence. These awards spotlight the breakthroughs and progress driving healthcare forward, strengthening Ireland’s pharma sector and inspiring continued growth that benefits scientific advancement, healthcare delivery, and the wider industry.”Judging coordinator Matt Moran described the award entries as top-class, covering all aspects of the pharma industry and its associated services. “The entries demonstrated real innovation at work and it was heartening to see companies embrace the principles of diversity and inclusion,” he said. “Companies are deploying technology such as artificial intelligence to ensure that they stay competitive and can keep delivering medicines to society, and they continue to take their responsibility to manage their environmental impact very seriously. The Pharma Industry Awards 2025 provide strong evidence of a sector committed to long-term success.”Tom Tobin, sales director at platinum sponsor Micro-Bio, said the company supports the Pharma Industry Awards because they showcase the outstanding work shaping the industry’s future. “Celebrating excellence sparks new ideas, strengthens collaboration, and raises standards. These awards play a vital role in recognising progress that ultimately benefits patients, communities, and the wider life sciences sector,” he explained.PTC Therapeutics International was shortlisted in four award categories. Senior vice president and general manager, growth and emerging markets, and director Adrian Haigh remarked that the Pharma Industry Awards highlight the innovation and varied talent driving Ireland’s life sciences sector. “To be a finalist for four awards - including biotech company of the year - among such strong peers is a real endorsement of our strategy, our people and our focus on improving patients’ lives,” he added.David Sheedy, head of life science manufacturing Ireland, Cognizant, said the company proudly supports the awards because they celebrate excellence and innovation. “Recognising talent and best practices drives progress, inspires collaboration, and strengthens the industry’s future,” he said. “Such platforms empower professionals to share knowledge and raise standards, ensuring continued growth and impact in life sciences.”Among the shortlisted finalists, Kieran Falvey at Pharmalliance Consulting said Ireland’s pharma sector shows real resilience and global leadership in uncertain times. “It was energising to speak with leaders driving the industry forward, and we’re proud to support that momentum with strategic, practical compliance support,” he added. Daveena Jassar at Orion GXP Consulting remarked: “As regulatory expectations and technological advancements accelerate, the focus on strong quality systems and skilled professionals has never been more important for the future of Ireland’s life sciences industry.”Joe Lyons at Business Platforms noted: “Ireland’s pharma and biopharma sector stands as a hub of innovation and excellence, an integral cog in global healthcare, empowering breakthroughs that transform lives, driven by vision, talent, and an unwavering commitment to advancement.”Miriam O’Sullivan, Amgen’s plant manager executive director, was presented with the women in pharma award. The award citation described her career as is a blueprint for technical mastery, strategic ascent and operational transformation. O’Sullivan said she was honoured to be recognised “amongst such inspiring, talented and wonderful people”.Judging coordinator Alice Redmond said Ireland’s pharmaceutical and life sciences industry takes great pride in the continued success and prestige of the Pharma Industry Awards. “They have become a defining platform for recognising excellence, innovation, and leadership across the sector,” she stated. “As Ireland continues to play a pivotal role in delivering life-changing healthcare solutions worldwide, these awards serve as an enduring tribute to the talent, integrity, and impact of those shaping its future.”Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at awards organiser BusinessRiver, said: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our title sponsor, Kuehne + Nagel, and our platinum sponsors, Micro-Bio and Cognizant, and our gold sponsors, Camida, BOC Gases Ireland, Synergy Security Solutions, Skycell, BioPharmaChem Skillnet, Exyte, Tandem Project Management Ltd., QuickStat, a Kuehne+ Nagel company, Controlled Environments Company, Cencora Pharmalex, Cold Chain Technologies, SGS Pharma, CSafe, OBW Technologies and Making Shift Happen”“I also want to recognise our supporters, Cronin Group, Amárach Research, NIBRT, Shannon ABC and The Pharmaceutical Managers Institute (the PMI).Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”Sponsors and supportersTitle sponsor Kuehne + NagelPlatinum sponsorsMicro-Bio CognizantGold sponsorsCamidaBOC Gases IrelandSynergy Security SolutionsSkycellBioPharmaChem SkillnetExyteTandem Project Management Ltd.QuickStat, a Kuehne+Nagel companyControlled Environments CompanyCencora PharmalexCold Chain TechnologiesSGS PharmaCSafeOBW TechnologiesMaking Shift HappenSupportersCronin GroupAmárach ResearchNIBRTShannon ABCThe Pharmaceutical Managers Institute (PMI)Awards judgesMatt Moran (judging coordinator), chief executive, Matt Moran ConsultingAlice Redmond (judging coordinator), chief risk and quality officer, CAIMichael Brennan, senior director global engineering technology, Hollister ULCNuala Calnan, chief executive, Biopharm Excel, and founder, Quality Risk Management Institute (QRMi)Rachel Carmichael, executive director, NSFDr Patricia Ennis, occupational safety and health (OSH) consultant Catherine Giblin, leadership coach and mentor, CGiblin Leadership Coaching & MentoringJohn Henchion, vice president for Europe, CAIEamon Judge, retired executive director - global engineering, Eli Lilly and CompanyDr Michael Kilkelly, senior executive EHS, BioPharmaChem Ireland (Ibec)Sandra Lenihan, senior lecturer, MTUAnita Maguire, professor, UCCJai Prakash Mehta, lecturer, SETUUna Moore, lecturer, RCSIKieran Nolan, associate professor, school of chemical sciences, DCUSusan Neenan, senior director supplier and material risk quality, Alexion Pharmaceuticals rare disease unit (RDU) AstraZenecaLorraine O’Driscoll, professor of pharmacology and biomedicine, TCDJoseph O’Shea, senior lecturer in pharmaceutics, UCCMicheal Quealy, director, technology partnership, MSD DundalkDr Bernadette Whelan, lecturer in pharmaceutical science, SETU WaterfordAwards winners Pharma industry company of the year (sponsored by Kuehne + Nagel)Winner: Bristol Myers SquibbSeamus Keane, vice president pharma and healthcare Europe at Kuehne + Nagel, presents the pharma industry company of the year to the Bristol Myers Squibb team Pharma company of the year - large (sponsored by Exyte)Winner: AbbVie IrelandMatt Moran, awards judging coordinator on behalf of Exyte, presents the pharma company of the year - large to the AbbVie Ireland team Biotech company of the year (sponsored by Micro-Bio)Winner: Celtic BiotechTom Tobin, sales director at Micro-bio, presents the biotech company of the year to John Reid, Celtic Biotech Pharma contract services company of the year (sponsored by QuickStat, a Kuehne+Nagel company)Winner: Arriello IrelandMatthieu Brand, VP commercial operations EMEA at QuickStat, a Kuehne+Nagel company, presents the pharma contract services company of the year to Alan White and Anna Lukyanova, Arriello Ireland Sustainability initiative of the yearWinner: Pfizer External Supply IrelandVictor Vargas, director commercial operations and strategic lead at QuickStat, a Kuehne+Nagel company, presents the sustainability initiative of the year to the Pfizer External Supply Ireland team Advanced manufacturing awardWinner: Bristol Myers SquibbYvonne Brady, PMO lead at Cognizant, presents the advanced manufacturing award to Alan Farrell and Cornelius Pretorius, Bristol Myers Squibb Biopharma company of the year (sponsored by Kuehne + Nagel)Winner: AbbVie IrelandMartin Myers, national air logistics manager, Ireland at Kuehne + Nagel, presents the biopharma company of the year to the AbbVie Ireland team Pharma project of the year - largeWinner: Viatris Little Island - Implementation of New DIW System in Live PlantLarissa Coutinho, marketing and communications at SGS Pharma, presents the pharma project of the year - large to Brendan Pyne, Viatris Little Island Supply chain achievement award (sponsored by Skycell)Winner: Pfizer External Supply IrelandMatthew Gowan, chief commercial officer at Skycell, presents the supply chain achievement award to Brian Dennehy, Pfizer External Supply Ireland Engineering project of the year (sponsored by BOC Gases Ireland)Winner: Amgen - Transforming syringe reliabilityDermot Browne, sales and commercial manager at BOC Gases Ireland, presents the engineering project of the year to the Amgen team Operational excellence award (sponsored by CSafe)Winner: MSD IrelandJohn Bullon, snr director of sales at CSafe, presents the operational excellence award to Jason Cawley and Sarah Curran, MSD Ireland Operational excellence award - smallWinner: Q1 ScientificBerney Allen, director of life science sales UK/Ireland at CSafe, presents the operational excellence award - small to Katrina Smyth and Aideen Glynn, Q1 Scientific Pharma facility of the year (sponsored by Synergy Security Solutions)Winner: Almac Pharma ServicesDaniel Keane, strategic partnership manager at Synergy Security Solutions, presents the pharma facility of the year to Jonathan Watson, Almac Pharma Services Diversity, equality and inclusion strategy of the year (sponsored by Making Shift Happen)Winner: MSD IrelandJay Chopra PhD, managing director at Making Shift Happen, presents the diversity, equality and inclusion strategy of the year to Gillian Mahon, MSD Ireland Women in pharma award (sponsored by Cencora Pharmalex)Winner: Amgen - Miriam O’Sullivan Jane Lyons, QMC global operating officer and country manager - Ireland at Pharmalex, presents the women in pharma award to Miriam O'Sullivan, Amgen Women in pharma award - small (sponsored by Kuehne + Nagel)Winner: Q1 Scientific - Aideen GlynnGraham O'Reilly, national road logistics manager, Ireland at Kuehne + Nagel, presents the women in pharma award - small to Aideen Glynn, Q1 Scientific Pharma research centre of the yearWinner: National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) Matt Moran, awards judging coordinator, presents the pharma research centre of the year to Fiona Killard-Lynch and Julia Rakovets, NIBRT Research and development achievement award (sponsored by OBW Technologies)Winner: Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research CentrePat Browne, head of fixed sales at OBW Technologies, presents the research and development achievement award to Niall O'Reilly and Tess Ames, Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre Corporate social responsibility programme of the year (sponsored by Camida)Winner: Uniphar Medtech - Local Competitive AdvantageClodagh Phelan, marketing manager at Camida, presents the corporate social responsibility programme of the year to Vicki O'Reilly and Glenda Hearns, Uniphar Medtech Innovation of the year (sponsored by Cold Chain Technologies)Winner: DeciphexStephen Corcoran, business development manager, EMEA at Cold Chain Technologies, presents the innovation of the year award to Ciara Durnin White and Jim Redmond, Deciphex Best use of technology award (sponsored by Cognizant)Winner: LEP BiomedicalDeclan Lynch, head of life science manufacturing EMEA at Cognizant, presents the best use of technology award to Alan Hibbitts, LEP Biomedical Health and safety award (sponsored by Controlled Environments Company)Winner: APC and VLE TherapeuticsTom O'Brien, CEC business manager at Controlled Environments Company, presents the health and safety award to Nalini Singh and Paul McCabe, APC and VLE Therapeutics Pharma supplier of the yearWinner: Almac Pharma ServicesKevin O Driscoll, director, partner programmes at BusinessRiver, presents the pharma supplier of the year to Jonathan Watson, Almac Pharma Services Pharma education and training awardWinner: RCSI - MSc Technologies and Analytics in Precision MedicineKevin O'Driscoll, director, partner programmes at BusinessRiver, presents the pharma education and training award to Ben Ryan and Dr Sudipto Das, RCSI Graduate training programme of the year (sponsored by BioPharmaChem Skillnet)Winner: CognizantSusan Costello, network director at BioPharmaChem Skillnet, presents the graduate training programme of the year to Eileen Martin and Mark Venables, Cognizant Partnership alliance of the yearWinner: NIBRT and ATUMatt Moran, awards judging coordinator, presents the partnership alliance of the year to the NIBRT and ATU team Communications award (sponsored by Tandem Project Management Ltd.)Winner: Bristol Myers SquibbGreg Watson, business development manager at Tandem Project Management Ltd., presents the communications award to Keira Brogan and Padraig Landers, Bristol Myers Squibb Pharma leader 2025 (sponsored by SGS Pharma)Recipient: Colin Rooney, Viatris Little IslandAndrea Coleman, global key account manager at SGS Pharma, presents the pharma leader 2025 to Colin Rooney