NIBRT publishes its Annual Report 2020
DUBLIN, IRELAND, January 27th 2021 – The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) today published its Annual Report for 2020 which highlights a very strong performance across all areas of operation for the Institute in a uniquely challenging year.
Despite the many challenges imposed by Covid-19, the outlook for the global biopharma industry is for continued strong growth. Global sales of biopharmaceuticals are now over $300billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 12%. In parallel, the Irish biopharma industry rose to the challenge of the pandemic demonstrating its resilience in global supply chains. New foreign direct investment from Pfizer, MSD, Regeneron and others and the growth of the indigenous sector were welcomed throughout the year. NIBRT continued its strong support of the sector with some of the key achievements in the year including:
- Delivering over 31,000 days of learning while adhering to strict Covid-19 preventative measures.
- The commercial launch and success of the NIBRT Online Academy.
- Welcoming the Guangzhou Bioprocessing Research and Training Academy in China as the third member of NIBRT’s Global Partner Programme joining partners in Philadelphia and Sydney .
- The further development of NIBRT research and leading the Cell and Gene Therapy Forum.
- Strongly contributing to the Covid-19 national response.
- Success at winning three awards at the Irish Pharma Awards
Announcing the Annual Report NIBRT CEO, Darrin Morrissey stated “Covid-19 resulted in the closure of the NIBRT facility during the first wave of the pandemic, but on June 8th, following considerable hard work and significant changes to the running of the facility and to our business delivery model, we were able to reopen the NIBRT facility for training and research business. From then, in spite of all of the challengingheadwinds, NIBRT had a remarkably successful year.”
NIBRT Chairman, Brendan O’Callaghan Senior Vice President and Global Head Biologics Platform, Sanofi noted “In an unprecedented year, NIBRT staff demonstrated commendable resilience to deliver innovative solutions for our clients. The Institute plays a key role in supporting the growth of the sector at home and beyond and is now developing a particular focus on helping clients prepare for the rapid growth in advanced therapeutics.”
As the Institute looks forward to contributing to the economic recovery post Covid-19, O’Callaghan commented “the NIBRT Board will be focusing on the Institute’s performance in continuing to support the development of the biopharma sector. Specific areas of focus will include the scaling of NIBRT research activity via national and international collaborations, the development of capability in the manufacture of advanced therapeutics and the continued expansion of our training. Over many decades Ireland has built a biopharma sector with a global reputation. We look forward to continuing to partner with our stakeholders and to developing new collaborations in further enhancing this hard-earned reputation”.
