Mullingar man wins overall Excellence in Life Sciences Award

Mullingar native, Brendan McGrath, was recently awarded the overall Excellence in Life Sciences Award, representing WuXi Biologics, at the Life Sciences Industry Awards 2026.

The awards, hosted by Ivan Yates at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin, brought together 212 industry professionals to celebrate achievements in Ireland’s life sciences sector. Twenty trophies were presented in a field of 76 entries, spanning pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology and laboratory solutions.

WuXi Biologics, which has pioneered the commercial biomanufacturing of biologics-based medicines, was presented with the overall excellence award at

WuXi Biologics established its Irish presence in 2018 with a €325 million investment in a biologics drug substance manufacturing facility in Dundalk – the company’s first site outside of China – which operates around the clock using continuous bioprocessing technology and is also home to a vaccine production facility.

The judging panel praised WuXi Biologics’ manufacturing science and technology team. “Their expertise and commitment to quality have helped position the organisation at the forefront of the global life sciences sector,” the award citation read.

Dinny Crowe, vice-president of operations at awards gold sponsor ABM Ireland, said the awards recognise that in life sciences, operational excellence is as vital as scientific innovation. “Digital transformation across our facilities including smarter workflows, real-time visibility and audit-ready systems deserve the same recognition as what happens on the manufacturing line,” he said.

The outstanding contribution to life sciences award was presented to Brendan McGrath, site head and VP manufacturing at WuXi Biologics in Ireland.

Brendan, eldest son of Paul and Josephine McGrath, played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding the Dundalk facility, where more than 800 people are employed. “Under his leadership, the site achieved major international certifications, FDA approval and global industry recognition,” the award citation said.

“Brendan has also championed sustainability initiatives, operational excellence, and collaborative innovation across the wider manufacturing network, helping position Ireland as a key hub for biologics production.”

Brendan joined WuXi Biologics Ireland as site head and VP Manufacturing in February 2018. He was the first WuXi Biologics employee in Ireland and is a board member of WuXi Biologics Ireland Ltd and WuXi Vaccines Ireland Ltd.

Brendan has extensive experience in the global pharmaceutical industry. He was educated at St Mary’s Primary and Coláiste Mhuire CBS Mullingar.

An engineering graduate of NUI Galway and Dublin Business School, Brendan began his career in the electronics sector with Motorola before moving into aviation with Aerospace Industries. His pharmaceutical career began in 2002 when he moved to Organon in Swords, which later became MSD. He worked in MSD until 2017, most recently as plant manager.