NIBRT published today its 2018 Annual Report

The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) published today its 2018 Annual Report, announcing substantial growth across all areas of research and training activity in support of the biopharma manufacturing industry.

2018 was another excellent year of growth for NIBRT which saw a continuation of significant training for biopharma companies, an innovative training collaboration with Jefferson University in Philadelphia, and winning of substantial EU research funding. The Business Plan for 2019-2023 was approved after extensive stakeholder engagement.

Over the last decade the Irish biopharma sector has seen $10 billion in capital investment in new facilities which represents close to the largest wave of investment in biopharma manufacturing anywhere in the globe. There was further good news for the Irish biopharma sector throughout 2018 with the announcement of several major investments from new and existing clients including MSD Biotech, Wuxi, Takeda, Abbvie and others.

NIBRT’s training activity continued at an exceptionally busy pace through the year, not only for the start-up and expansion companies, but also for services companies to the sector with a total of 19,000 training days delivered to over 4,000 trainees. NIBRT was also pleased to announce a major partnership with Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

The Report details the significant growth in Research activity. Dr Colin Clarke had great success in securing European funding as coordinator for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network. Prof Jonathan Bones’ characterisation activity expanded into Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) with securing a number of industry research projects in this area.

Notwithstanding this success, significant challenges remain in the sector such as the fundamental complexity of bringing new therapeutics to market, reimbursement and pricing models, Brexit uncertainties and global skills shortages.

Commenting on the Report, NIBRT Chairman Brendan O’Callaghan stated “As we reflect on a very successful 2018, I’d like to thank the NIBRT team for their outstanding performance in 2018, as well as my Board colleagues and IDA Ireland for their continued, exemplary support of the Institute and we look forward with confidence to the opportunities ahead in 2019 and beyond.”

Download the full 2018 Annual Report NIBRT Annual report 2018

Watch NIBRT 2018 – A Year in Review here