GE Healthcare has announced a new partnership with the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) to enhance the supply chain of workers in the industry.
With optimistic targets to train 1,500 new biopharma professionals annually, GE is creating a single-use centre of excellence at NIBRT’s Dublin site.
The facility will develop a supply-line of skilled workers capable of entering an industry of next-generation biologic manufacturing technologies.
NIBRT strengthened
Saying he’s “delighted to be investing in Ireland again”, GE Healthcare life sciences CEO Kieran Murphy made the announcement as his company revealed plans for 500 new jobs as part of a €150m investment in Cork.
“Pharma companies worldwide are racing to respond to patient needs with new life-changing biological medicines, and GE is investing in technology and service solutions, as well as industry skills and expertise, to enable them to make and get their products to market more quickly,” he said.
NIBRT’s role in training people up for highly-skilled scientific roles is already well known in Ireland, and this latest partnership adds to its offering.
“NIBRT is delighted to partner with GE on the next generation of bioprocessing equipment,” said Dominic Carolan, CEO of the organisation.
“[This] will accelerate the introduction of these new technologies to the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry, helping to reduce manufacturing costs and increase the access to these valuable therapies.”
Growing sector
With an estimated 28,000 people working in the biopharma industry – 6,000 of these working in biologics – the significance of the sector is continually growing.
“The biopharma industry makes a huge contribution to the Irish economy in terms of jobs and manufacturing exports, and is one of the fastest growing sectors,” said Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TD.
Welcoming every success in the future for GE, Mitchell O’Connor said the industry is “expected to double in the coming years”.
“[This will] provide both a challenge and an opportunity for the industry, training providers to collaborate on promoting the range of career opportunities available,” she said.
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