Aerogen, the medical device and drug delivery company, was named Exporter of the Year at the annual Export Industry Awards last night.

The Co Galway-based company specialises in the design, manufacture and marketing of aerosol drug delivery systems aimed at the critical care respiratory market.

It was particularly noted for its patented “OnQ” technology, which allows drugs to be nebulised into a fine particle mist which can be absorbed through the lungs while maintaining drug integrity.

More than 500 guests attending the Irish Exports Association ceremony at Convention Centre Dublin last night.

The keynote address was delivered by Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Alex White. Other guests included ambassadors and dignitaries from 24 embassies at a function presented by Newstalk's Ivan Yates.

‘Economic uncertainty’

Mr White said: “Against a backdrop of global financial and economic uncertainty, continued success must not be taken for granted.”

The Government must continue to pursue efficiencies in the public sector in order to increase national competitiveness and fairer access to finance, he added.

Alan Duffy, head of corporate banking Ireland at HSBC, told those at the ceremony: "Exports occupy a dominant position in our economy and our own research shows that Irish exporters are looking increasingly confident in the short and medium term.

Other award recipients included Louth-based Suretank, which was named High Growth Markets Exporter of the Year; Kildare's OpenSky Data Systems as High Potential Exporter; Dublin's Taxback. com as Services Exporter; and Smart Wall Paint, also Dublin based, as Emerging Small Exporter.