UL-based SSPC to partner with NIBRT to strengthen ties in biopharma sector

SSPC, the Research Ireland Centre for Pharmaceuticals, based at University of Limerick, has announced that it is to expand its research capabilities with the addition of The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training as a partner.

This collaboration builds on a strong track record of successful joint initiatives between SSPC and The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), aiming to further advance the development of innovative technologies that address critical industry challenges.

SSPC has a strong commitment to collaborate with world-leading institutes to foster a culture of knowledge-sharing and accelerated progress in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical research. With over 80 investigators, SSPC has assembled scientists and engineers to work collaboratively to provide innovations that have the potential to benefit humanity for years to come.

With this important step, SSPC and NIBRT are building on a long history of partnership to address ambitious research challenges. Notable examples of recent collaborations, which demonstrate the diversity of links between the two organisations and showcase the range of expertise being shared, include:

• The SFI-funded Advanced Biopharmaceutical Technologies Spokes Project, in partnership with seven major biopharma companies and involving NIBRT Principal Investigators (PIs) Prof. Niall Barron and Assoc. Prof. Jonathan Bones. The topic, extractables and leachables, is of high relevance to the pharmaceutical industry today due to their potential impact on drug safety and efficacy.
• Associate Professor Steven Ferguson is both a NIBRT and SSPC Co-Principal Investigator, where his manufacturing theme is strongly aligned to industry with a focus on enabling a disruptive change in the manufacture of drug substances and drug products.
• NIBRT PIs Prof. Elizabeth Topp and Prof. Anne Moore are also funded Investigators in SSPC. Leveraging Prof Topp’s expertise and leadership position within the global consortium LyoHub, NIBRT and SSPC have been working together on a training collaboration in formulation and lyophilisation processes.

Commenting on the announcement, Professor Damien Thompson, SSPC Scientific Director, said: “This collaboration represents a key step forward to innovate and deliver life-changing therapies in the (bio)pharma space in Ireland. By combining our expertise and resources, we are poised to advance science and talent. Ensuring that Ireland remains at the forefront of global pharmaceutical research and development is essential, and we are delighted to see such a high calibre partner come on board.” 

 “We are delighted to deepen our partnership with SSPC, a leading research centre that shares our commitment to advancing the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors by pulling together excellent researchers and research groups from across Ireland’s research institutes towards a common objective”, commented Dr Darrin Morrissey, NIBRT CEO.

“This alliance allows us to leverage each other's strengths, accelerating innovation and providing even greater support to industry as we work together to address some of the sector’s most complex challenges.”

The partnership marks an exciting step forward. Building on an already-established relationship, NIBRT’s membership of SSPC will significantly enhance both organisations' ability to achieve their strategic goals. This alliance will unlock new opportunities by combining NIBRT’s deep expertise in biopharmaceutical manufacturing research, state-of-the-art research infrastructure and equipment, with SSPC’s cutting-edge pharmaceutical research, offering access to extensive specialist resources, infrastructure, and talent.