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A new strategic partnership agreement has been signed between 51��ɫ (UL) and the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) to advance research and innovation in bioprocessing, an essential sector for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

NIBRT is a global centre of excellence for training and research in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, based in Dublin, that aims to support the growth and development of all aspects of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

The first phase of the new collaboration between the institutions will be a worldwide search to .

The postholder will split their time between the Department of Chemical Sciences in UL and NIBRT playing a key leadership role in SSPC, the UL-based Science Foundation Ireland national research centre for pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals and in the Bernal Institute.

A key duty of this post is that the successful candidate develops a vibrant research programme in UL and creates new research initiatives in collaboration with existing research centres.

By combining their expertise and resources, UL and NIBRT aim to strengthen their positions as leaders in bioprocess modelling and data analysis, fostering cutting-edge research and development in this crucial field.

Welcoming the partnership UL Vice President Research Professor Norelee Kennedy said: “UL is delighted to partner with NIBRT to further our joint agendas in this important area aligned with both of strategic ambitions. This partnership and the new joint appointment will support research to further strengthen the biopharmaceutical sector through excellent research.”

CEO of NIBRT Darrin Morrissey said: “The UL-NIBRT Professor in Computational Modelling and Data Analytics will be expected to attract high calibre researchers to UL and strengthen research links internally and externally allowing 51��ɫ and NIBRT to make a distinctive contribution to the broad field of Computational Modelling both nationally and internationally.”

Professor Damien Thompson, Director of SSPC in UL said: “This new position answers the call for intensification of digitalisation in biopharmaceuticals production in Ireland. The Irish biopharmaceutical and chemical sector has an export value of over €106bn, accounting for 67% of total goods exported from Ireland.

“As the third largest exporter of pharmaceuticals globally, Ireland is a leading global hub for biopharma manufacturing research, in the development and production of innovative drugs. To further support data-driven development of sustainable patient centred medicines, the new position has been created in Computational Modelling and Data Analytics under an interinstitutional strategic partnership agreement between UL and NIBRT. The appointed Professor will focus on the development and application of advanced computational and data analytics methods to answer fundamental research questions that impact biopharma manufacturing.”

Dr Fiona Killard-Lynch NIBRT Director of Research and Innovation added: “Through the creation of this joint professorship position, we are embarking on a quest for visionary leadership that will catalyse pioneering research and foster innovation in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

“This partnership leverages the combined strengths and resources of two esteemed institutions, positioning UL and NIBRT as frontrunners in bioprocess modelling and data analysis. Together, we are committed to advancing the boundaries of knowledge and driving the biopharmaceutical sector toward greater excellence. We warmly welcome this partnership and shared dedication to research, which will jointly empower our strategic ambitions.”