EUROPHARMA Concepts Ltd, a new health care company based near Clara has successfully achieved High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) status with Enterprise Ireland.

Europharma Concepts, the only Offaly-based company to achieve HPSU status in 2007, will benefit from Enterprise Ireland (EI) seed financial investment and support in areas such as R&D.

Enterprise Ireland's HPSU strategy is designed to support new business ideas with high growth and high export potential.

EI see the establishment and growth of Irish-owned businesses that have the potential to become thriving international businesses as critical to the long-term success of the Irish economy.
Europharma Concepts will go into production next month with its first range of products, the very successful US oral care brand, Bioténe, for the Irish and EU markets.

Bioténe is the world leader in natural enzyme oral care products - toothpastes, oral gels, mouthwashes etc. that contain no drying agents (SLS) or alcohols - for those who suffer from a common condition called Dry Mouth, or Xerostomia, which causes a lot of discomfort and leads or poor oral health including gum disease and tooth decay.

"Dry Mouth is a growing problem in Ireland today affecting over 10% of the population and with more and more people on medications and living longer this is likely to increase," said Europharma Concepts CEO, Declan Lenahan.

He added, "But there is little awareness amongst sufferers and many health professionals that Biotene products are available from your local pharmacy and that they provide much needed relief and protection for sufferers. Basically, Biotene improves the quality of life of sufferers!"
Europharma currently employs 11 full-time staff, but that number is set to increase as the company develops.

Europharma are also the Irish distributors for the Biotene range, which also includes a baby toothpaste called First Teeth, which is Fluoride Free and contains natural breast milk enzymes, thus making it safe to swallow.

Along with contract manufacturing Europharma will embark on an extensive R&D programme in 2008 to develop new healthcare products for the Irish and EU markets.