NIBRT Conference Sparks Strategic Dialogue on Innovation, Policy and Leadership
Dublin, Ireland, 16th of April 2025 –Over 200 leaders from across the life sciences, research, and policy sectors gathered at the NIBRT Research Conference this week to explore how Ireland can lead in the next era of European biotech innovation.
Titled ’Ireland’s Role in Europe’s Biotech Future’, the two-day event convened stakeholders from industry, academia, government and the clinical sector to examine the country’s strengths in biomanufacturing, research excellence, talent development, and innovation and to explore the actions needed to sustain and scale them in an increasingly challenging global landscape.
Organised and hosted by Ireland’s National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), the conference featured sessions on advanced therapies, AI in biomanufacturing, strategic infrastructure, clinical translation, and policy frameworks. Participants included senior representatives from EuropaBio, Children’s Health Ireland, Princeton University, CONCEPT and the European Commission, as well as leading researchers and PhD candidates from across Ireland’s universities and research platforms.
A key highlight of the conference was a panel discussion which brought together sector leaders to explore the enablers and barriers to Ireland’s leadership in European biotech. The discussion underscored Ireland’s scientific strengths, agility, and talent base while calling for greater alignment across policy, funding, infrastructure, and national strategy.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Fiona Killard-Lynch, Chief Scientific Officer and Director of Research and Innovation at NIBRT, said: “This year’s conference captured just how much momentum, ambition, and collaborative spirit exists across Ireland’s biotech sector. From world-class science to critical policy insights, we have seen how Ireland can be a key player in helping to shape the future of biotech in Europe. Ireland has a remarkable foundation in pharmaceutical manufacturing. It is a core part of our national success story, but if we want to lead the next era of advanced medicines, we need to build on that foundation with sustained innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and a long-term strategic vision. As Ireland develops its national Life Sciences strategy, NIBRT is uniquely positioned to lead these conversations – not only convening the ecosystem, but shaping its direction through our science, infrastructure, and commitment to national and European impact.”
The conference also celebrated the contributions of Ireland’s early-career researchers through a poster showcase and awards programme, highlighting the next generation of scientific leaders poised to shape the future of biotech in Ireland and beyond.
Pictured left-right
Prof. John Morrissey, Dr. Claire Skentelbery, Dr Fiona Killard Lynch, Dr. Brendan Hughes, Prof. Aedín Culhane, Prof. Susa Benseler – NIBRT Facility Dublin. (Photo credit Deirdre Brennan)
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About NIBRT
The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) is a global centre of excellence for training and research in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. www.nibrt.ie NIBRT is at the forefront of biopharmaceutical innovation, tackling the biggest challenges in next-generation medicine production. Our research spans cell and gene therapies, RNA-based medicines, and advanced protein biologics, driving fundamental discoveries that redefine biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
NIBRT is also home to CONCEPT our Core Facility for Early-Stage Biotherapy Development. CONCEPT provides an advanced research environment to accelerate the development of next-generation biotherapies, offering specialised infrastructure and expertise to support early-stage process development, high-throughput screening, and characterisation of novel therapeutics. Through CONCEPT, NIBRT is enabling innovation in cell and gene therapy, protein-based biopharmaceuticals, and emerging biotherapeutic modalities.
For more information, please visit https://concept-nibrt.ie/
Media Contacts:
Laura Breen
Research Impact & Communications Officer
National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training
laura.breen@nibrt.ie
