The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) has opened its new advanced therapies facility in Dublin, which will increase its capacity and capability to conduct manufacturing-focused research and training in advanced therapeutics.
Advanced therapeutics is a broad category of innovative biological medicines that includes cell therapies, gene therapies, mRNA and DNA-based therapies and other novel biologic-based medicines and vaccines.
Supported by IDA Ireland, the new €21m facility will accommodate around 25 new researchers and training staff and will serve new and existing NIBRT clients.
It incorporates 1,800 m2 of new space, including seven research laboratories and state of the art training suites, into the existing NIBRT facility that will be dedicated to advanced therapeutics.
The facility also houses a €6.5M SFI/IDA co-funded research facility called CONCEPT, which is dedicated to the early-stage development of biologic therapies.
The Irish biopharma industry continues to go grow, with over 20 new biologics manufacturing facilities developed across Ireland over the last decade and in excess of €12 billion in capital investment over that time.
Over 45,000 people are now employed directly in the biopharma industry - a doubling of employment in high-expertise and high-value biopharma roles since 2014.
NIBRT CEO Darrin Morrissey said the company's role is to help the growth and development of the biopharma manufacturing sector in Ireland by providing cutting edge training and research solutions.
"NIBRT intends to further enhance our current capability by becoming a leader in the pioneering and fast-evolving area of advanced therapies and vaccines," Mr Morrissey said.
"It is an immensely exciting time for NIBRT. With this expansion, we expect to deliver training for many more potential and newly-hired biopharma staff, as well as considerable growth in our research activities," he said.
"This has the potential to rapidly enhance Ireland's standing as a location of choice for advanced therapy and vaccine manufacturing," de added.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin the new Advanced Therapeutics manufacturing research and training facility will further Ireland’s reputation as a global leader in biopharma manufacturing.
"It is important to continuously invest in this evolving area so that Ireland’s biopharma sector, with its highly skilled workforce, remains attractive to investors in this complex and innovative area of life saving medicines," he added.
Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said the country's thriving biopharma sector, coupled with its abundant talent pool and dynamic business ecosystem, underscores Ireland's appeal as a premier destination for this investment.
