Pharmaceutical centre - An exciting initiative

The launch of the Synthesis & Solid State Pharma-ceutical Centre (SSPC) at the University of Limerick is a particularly exciting development.

It is the consummation of an initiative established in 2007 to promote the collaboration of five universities and nine multinational pharmaceutical companies in order to bolster pharma manufacturing in this country.

The importance of that industry to Ireland can hardly be exaggerated. It already employs some 60,000 people here, and the industry accounts for €50m worth of exports. Eight of the world’s 10 largest pharmaceutical companies are already based in this country, and they manufacture six of the 10 most valuable commercial pharmaceutical products.

The SSPC initiative will generate up to 90 research jobs at eight participating third-level institutions. “This centre will be a unique resource that industry can tap into,” Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton declared at the launch yesterday. “We are creating a new environment for promoting commercialisation of research.”

While pharma companies have traditionally been secretive about their products, there are manufacturing and development procedures common to all. Refinement of these procedures can be of benefit to all. The participating companies have already recognised this, and the centre should therefore help to enhance the country’s status as a pharmaceutical centre, and thereby act as a magnet to attract other such companies here.