- Leading vascular device manufacturer to be located in Cartago and begin operations in 2027
- Company to generate more than 200 jobs in leadership, technical, and specialized areas
Cartago, September 11, 2025. Penumbra, Inc., a global leader in the design and manufacturing of medical devices for the treatment of blood clots and complex vascular conditions, has chosen Costa Rica to establish its new manufacturing facility as part of its global expansion strategy.
The state of the art facility will be located in La Lima Free Zone, Cartago, and is expected to begin operations in 2027. Through this investment, the company will create more than 200 new jobs in leadership, manufacturing, engineering, and operations roles, as well as the hiring of professionals across multiple fields.
“Penumbra is expanding into Costa Rica to support the growing global adoption of our CAVT technology,” said Adam Elsesser, chief executive officer of Penumbra. “Costa Rica has long been recognized for its skilled workforce and high-quality manufacturing infrastructure. With a presence in Costa Rica, Penumbra will be well positioned for future growth around the world, providing more patients with greater access to our advanced technologies to address complicated blood clot conditions.”
Penumbra’s hiring process will take place gradually and in phases. The first stage – beginning in September 2025 – will involve receiving applications for leadership positions. As the establishment process evolves, the company will open additional positions for operators, technicians, and engineers. Interested candidates can apply and send inquiries to [email protected]
Manuel Tovar, Costa Rica’s Minister of Foreign Trade, stated: “the establishment of Penumbra, Inc., a global leader in the design and manufacturing of medical devices, in Costa Rica highlights the country’s consolidated position as a strategic destination for investment. This achievement is the result of a combination of highly skilled human talent, a reliable institutional framework, and a free trade zone regime that has proven to be an effective tool to attract and scale high value-added operations. With this in mind, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening public policies that enhance the country’s competitiveness and continue generating an environment conducive to innovation, investment attraction, and job creation”.
Laura López, CEO of the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER), added: “The announcement by Penumbra, Inc. entails a new high-sophistication operation within the country’s medical device ecosystem. Increasingly, global companies are choosing Costa Rica to develop advanced, highly complex processes, which reaffirms the strength of our value proposition and the solidity of a sector that now hosts more than 95 companies. This new investment reflects the confidence many firms place in Costa Rica as a competitive, innovative, and sustainable destination for foreign investment”.
Recently, Penumbra held the groundbreaking ceremony at Zona Franca La Lima, which ranks among the 50 most sustainable free trade zones in the world, according to the Global Alliance of Special Economic Zones (GASEZ), and was one of the first free trade zones globally to receive certification from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for transparency and good governance. The industrial park aims to generate 15,000 jobs at full capacity.
“Our investment and vision are centered on innovation, technology, quality, and human talent. The numbers and results confirm that La Lima Free Trade Zone is a leader in the country and the region. We specialize in offering talent and knowledge, and we will continue working to increase exports, create new jobs, and attract more investment and opportunities for the province of Cartago and for Costa Rica”, said Fernando Carazo, General Manager of La Lima Free Trade Zone.
About Penumbra
Penumbra, Inc., the world’s leading thrombectomy company, is focused on developing the most innovative technologies for challenging medical conditions such as ischemic stroke, venous thromboembolism such as pulmonary embolism, and acute limb ischemia. Its broad portfolio, which includes computer assisted vacuum thrombectomy (CAVT), centers on removing blood clots from head-to-toe with speed, safety and simplicity. By pioneering these innovations, Penumbra supports healthcare providers, hospitals and clinics in more than 100 countries, working to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. For more information, visit www.penumbrainc.com and connect on Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
