Irish Eyes Are Hoping …
In the wake of the United Kingdom’s Brexit decision, European Union member states were given until today to submit bids for the relocation of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Banking Authority.
Pharmaceutical Processing caught up with Rory Mullen, Vice President for Biopharmaceuticals and Food at IDA Ireland, to get his thoughts on the EMA relocation status and Ireland’s effort in the bidding process.
Q: Is Ireland’s bid completed or are there still elements being discussed prior to the 31 July submission?
Rory Mullen: The Irish team is continuing to put the final touches to our submission prior to its submission on Monday, July 31.
Q: On deadline, which cities appear to be Ireland’s top competitors for the relocation?
Mullen: We understand that many European cities will be bidding to host the EMA, including Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Vienna, Milan, and Stockholm.
Q: Has anyone new joined the bidding in recent months?
Mullen: New locations may have decided to bid but this will not be clear until after the final submission date.
Q: Has anyone dropped out?
Mullen: Not that we are aware of.
Q: What are the major reasons, beyond language, that relocation to Dublin might provide best option for U.S. companies?
Mullen: Business continuity. Dublin is a thriving, multicultural European hub that is only a 40-minute flight from London. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is a globally recognized regulator. Relocating the EMA to Dublin is the lowest risk option. Ireland has a thriving life sciences sector and is home to over 75 U.S., European, and Asian pharmaceutical manufacturing operations. All of the world’s top 10 manufacturing companies have substantial operations in Ireland. Ireland currently has the strongest growth of any European country at the moment; 5 percent growth is forecast for this year. This strong economy has created a wealth of employment opportunities, which may be attractive to the families of EMA employees.
Q: Please describe the nature of the committee at EMA involved in the decision.
Mullen: The European Council, which is comprised of the leaders of all of the EU countries, will make the final decision on the new location of the EMA. An assessment of the bids received will be prepared for the Council by the EU commission, which is the EU’s permanent civil service.
Q: Have they been to Dublin to meet with IDA Ireland? How many times?
Mullen: IDA is part of an Irish government team that is led by Minister of Health Simon Harris and includes the Health Services Executive (HSE), Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), and the Prime Minister’s office, as well as other relevant government departments and agencies. This group has had many discussions with relevant colleagues across the EU.
Q: Did they spell out any particular positives or concerns?
Mullen: The EU has given criteria to all countries that have expressed an interest as to how applications will be assessed. These focus on EU patient safety and the continuity of operations of the agency, and we believe that Dublin meets all of the relevant criteria.
Q: Has Ireland faced any backlash or negative pressure from other nations in the EU over its bid?
Mullen: No.
Q: Any other key thoughts at deadline?
Mullen: We believe that as Dublin is the closest location to London, both culturally and geographically, it provides the least disruptive solution to both the agency and the staff.
The European Council is expected to make a final decision on the relocation of the EMA and the banking authority in November, in time to complete the moves by the planned March 29, 2019 British exit from the EU. Recent reports out of London suggest that the Brexit deadline may be pushed beyond the March date, but no formal decision in that regard has been announced.
(Sources: The Guardian; Bloomberg)
