Written by Martin McMullan, Site Director, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, Larne, Northern Ireland
Terumo is a global leader in medical technology. Based in Tokyo and operating globally, Terumo employs more than 30,000 people worldwide to provide medical solutions in more than 160 countries and regions. The company started as a Japanese thermometer manufacturer in 1921 and has been supporting healthcare ever since. The Terumo Group includes three companies ranging from vascular intervention to transfusion medicine to diabetes care. Our Larne manufacturing facility is part of Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies (Terumo BCT). Everything we do is guided by our shared Terumo mission of Contributing to Society through Healthcare.
Terumo BCT is a global leader in blood component, therapeutic apheresis, and cellular technologies. Our mission is to unlock the potential of blood and cells to do even more for patients than they do today. We’ve grown to become a trusted partner for healthcare providers and systems around the world, helping to improve patient care through innovation in medical technologies.
Terumo’s presence in Northern Ireland dates back more than four decades, with the Larne Millbrook facility playing a crucial role in Terumo BCT’s global manufacturing footprint. What began as a local production site has evolved into a dual-purpose facility supporting both our own portfolio and serving as a Contract Manufacturing Organisation (CMO) for major pharmaceutical companies. This growth has been fuelled by sustained investment, a skilled local workforce, and strong collaboration across functions like production, engineering, research and development (R&D) and quality.
Martin McMullan is the Site Director at our facility in Larne, Northern Ireland, with overall responsibility for the operation. That includes overseeing our manufacturing output, ensuring we meet the highest quality and regulatory standards, and supporting the work of cross-functional teams such as engineering, R&D, quality, and supply chain.
“My role is about creating the right environment for our associates to do their best work—whether that’s producing sterile pharmaceutical solutions for lifesaving therapies or innovating with partners to meet evolving healthcare needs. I’m incredibly proud to lead a team that not only contributes to the success of Terumo BCT globally but also makes a real difference in our local community here in Northern Ireland. Every day, we’re reminded that what we do in Larne has a ripple effect across the world, and that’s a powerful motivator for all of us.”
Terumo Corporation is based in Tokyo, with the Terumo BCT division headquartered in Colorado, U.S. Our factory in Larne has been in operation since 1982. Martin’s role is based at the Millbrook facility, a location that has proven to be a strong base for our operations with over 300 employees. Northern Ireland offers a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, strong local academic partnerships (such as with Queen’s University Belfast), and an environment that fosters innovation and community engagement.
“We’re proud to be a top employer in the region, and we’re invested in giving back, through STEM education programmes such as the Science Summer School and charity work. Northern Ireland isn’t just a good place to do business; it’s a place where we’ve built meaningful connections and a sustainable future. In Larne, we specialise in manufacturing sterile pharmaceutical solutions and medical devices that are critical to patient care. This includes anticoagulants, blood storage additives, and potent sedative drug products. Our flexible container filling capabilities—from 20 millilitres up to 5 litres—allow us to serve a wide range of needs, from IV fluid replacement to parenteral nutrition.”
Terumo’s solutions are used in Terumo BCT’s lifesaving devices such as the Trima Accel™ Automated Blood Collection System, Spectra Optia™ Apheresis System, Mirasol™ Pathogen Reduction System, Reveos™ Automated Blood Processing System, and the TACSI™ System (Terumo Automated Centrifuge & Separator Integration), which are deployed in hospitals and clinics worldwide. Whether our customers are collecting source plasma needed for plasma-derived therapies, processing and managing blood supplies for emergency patient treatment, practicing leading-edge transfusion medicine, or developing a next-generation gene therapy, our medical devices and solutions help enable blood and cell-based therapies around the world. We can see some examples of this here in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, with a significant number of platelet collections and stem cell harvests completed using some of Terumo BCT’s products, supporting thousands of people annually. Our red cell exchange technology also helps the NHS care for more than 1,500 patients living with sickle cell disease (each year globally, 300,000 children are born with sickle cell disease). This enables patients to have improved access to this life-changing therapy.*
Terumo also serve as a Contract Manufacturing Organisation (CMO) for major pharmaceutical and medical device partners. Offering more than simple product supply, Terumo offer a comprehensive portfolio of design, development, and product support services.
“Patients are the heart of everything we do as we support a complex healthcare ecosystem. We do that in 4 ways: through investing in innovation, advancing automation as an industry standard, expanding access to care, and building for the future. Innovation is deeply embedded in everything we do at Terumo BCT. At Larne, that means not only manufacturing high-quality pharmaceutical solutions, but also continually advancing how we do it. We recently added a high containment suite and filling line that enables us to produce potent drug products and further expand our business capabilities. We also work closely with academic institutions like Queen’s University Belfast to develop new materials and packaging. A recent collaboration led to the creation of a specialised gas-barrier container, tailored to meet the needs of a pharmaceutical client. This kind of cross-functional, purpose-driven innovation ensures we can meet evolving patient needs while helping shape the future of healthcare.”
Terumo is continuing to invest in the capabilities of the Larne site, particularly in expanding our manufacturing capacity and exploring additional specialist processing capabilities. There are also ongoing discussions about new research collaborations and product development projects that will allow us to continue delivering for both Terumo BCT and our CMO clients. Just as importantly, we’re growing our outreach efforts, working with schools and local organisations to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals, and ensuring we remain an employer of choice in the region.
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Just a reminder that while Larne might seem like a small dot on the map, the work we do here has a truly global reach. From supporting NHS blood services to providing the technologies that deliver therapies around the world, our associates are making a tangible difference in the lives of patients every single day. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of.
*Data on file
Trima Accell™, Spectra Optia™ and Reveos™ are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Terumo BCT, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. See TerumoBCT.com/Trademarks for details.
TACSI™ is either a registered trademark or trademark owned by Terumo Corporation or its affiliates.
Mirasol™ is either a registered trademark or trademark of Terumo BCT Biotechnologies in the United States and/or other countries. See TerumoBCT.com/Trademarks for details.
