NIBRT is planning to accommodate 25 researchers and training staff at its new advanced therapeutics facility. Image: NIBRT
The facility will accommodate around 25 new researchers, with five labs as well as specialist training suites focused on advanced therapeutics.
The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) has begun construction work on its new advanced therapeutics centre.
The facility is to be located at NIBRT’s existing Dublin site and is expected to be operational in mid-2023.
The centre will accommodate around 25 new researchers and training staff in the area of advanced therapeutics. It will improve NIBRT’s ability to conduct manufacturing-focused research and training in this specific area.
Advanced therapeutics is a category of biological medicines that includes cell therapies, gene therapies, mRNA and DNA-based therapies and vaccines, and other novel vaccines.
NIBRT’s role is to facilitate the growth and development of the biopharma manufacturing sector in Ireland. It has worked with industry partners such as Accenture and BMS as part of its remit.
The new centre will serve new and existing NIBRT clients. It will have five research laboratories as well as two state-of-the-art training suites.
“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,” said NIBRT CEO Darrin Morrissey.
“This has the potential to rapidly enhance Ireland’s standing as a location of choice for advanced therapy and vaccine manufacturing.”
NIBRT’s expansion is costing €21m and is being funded by the Government through IDA Ireland. The development team behind the planned new facility includes PM Group, Sisk and BPE Biopharma Engineering.
According to Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland, NIBRT’s expansion will add to Ireland’s reputation as a “global location of excellence for next-generation biopharmaceutical products”.
He added that IDA Ireland would continue its partnership with NIBRT to ensure that Ireland is well positioned to support companies in emerging advanced therapeutic areas.
“Cell and gene therapy is a core pillar in the developing field of advanced therapy medicinal products, which is widely considered as the next generation of pharmaceutical therapies,” Shanahan concluded.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar, TD, added that the work being done at the new facility “will make a real difference to thousands of people’s lives”.
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