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An experienced pharmaceutical industry leader has been appointed as Director of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Centre at 51��ɫ.

Damon Warnock, who has a wealth of knowledge and experience having worked for global biopharmaceutical company Alkermes and previously with Irish firm Elan, has been appointed to the role at the research centre, which is situated within UL’s Bernal Institute.

Damon has a unique insight into the importance of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Centre (PMTC) as his industry work has seen him collaborate with the centre on several projects.

Funded by Enterprise Ireland, in partnership with IDA Ireland, PMTC is an applied research and innovation centre focused on using advanced technology and analytics to address contemporary manufacturing issues impacting on efficiency and sustainability for the pharmaceutical sector.

Damon said he was looking forward to his new role as director to guide PMTC in its next phase of development.

“I am truly excited to be joining the wonderful team at PMTC, becoming part of UL and Enterprise Ireland’s powerful research organisations. Our aim is to build on PMTC’s collaboration successes to-date and expand pharmaceutical industry’s access to, and usage of, effective technology and data analytics solutions within their business processes as part of Phase three funding. Fully realising the value of exceptional research talent driven industry collaboration in maintaining pharma industry as a key component of Ireland’s industry infrastructure.”

PMTC is an industry-led centre aimed at supporting Irish companies to grow their businesses, create jobs and deliver significant wider economic impact while deepening links with the world’s leading pharmaceutical firms, many of which are based in Ireland.

The role of industry members is pivotal to the success of PMTC. Through its collaborative research model, PMTC effectively co-creates innovative solutions and advanced methodologies that solve current industry challenges for pharmaceutical manufacturing in the following areas.

Welcoming the announcement UL Vice President Research Professor Norelee Kennedy said: “Damon will be a great addition to PMTC as it continues to conduct leading-edge research for what is a hugely important sector of the Irish economy. His industry experience will allow PMTC to develop its extensive collaborations with our indigenous companies helping them scale up and expand their R&D capabilities, while deepening links with the world’s leading pharmaceutical firms many of which are based in Ireland.”

Padraig Somers, Chair of the PMTC Centre Steering Committee added: “Damon's considerable industry experience and deep understanding of how data and advanced analytics can powerfully impact on and sustain operational effectiveness is a welcome enhancement of the PMTC Leadership team.

“On behalf of the committee, I am delighted to welcome him on board and wish him every success as the centre strengthens its mandate of supporting biopharmaceutical manufacturing in Ireland through industry led applied research in academia as well as promoting mutually beneficial linkages with our high calibre SME network.”