New €57m biopharma centre opens in Dublin

A NEW state-backed €57 million National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training was officially opened in Dublin yesterday by Research and Innovation Minister Sean Sherlock.

The facility will support the biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland by educating and training staff and by conducting high-level research.

It will also boost Ireland’s strong presence in the global sector.

Ireland is a key location for the life sciences industry, with nine of the top 10 global companies based here, and is ranked second in the world after the US as a development and manufacturing location for bio-pharmaceuticals.

The new facility is being funded by the state and by IDA Ireland.

Speaking at the opening Mr Sherlock said: “This is a far-sighted investment by the Government and IDA Ireland, to underpin the development of the pharmaceutical industry by supporting the collaboration with the founding Higher Education Institutes to establish the institute.”

The biopharmaceutical sector employs over 47,000 and exports last year were over €6 billion or 42% of total exports.

Joe Harford, chairman of the research institute, said the centre will add further support to IDA Ireland as it seeks to attract other companies in the sector to this country.

Mr Sherlock said: “Our ability to successfully integrate groundbreaking research with world-class training and education makes the institute globally unique.”

The new 6,500sq metre facility is purpose built to provide a world-class training environment and was designed in conjunction with leading industry experts to resemble a modern bio-processing plant.

The staff in the research institute includes expert lecturers and trainers and world-respected research teams headed by leading Principal Investigators.