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Launch of €2 Million Enterprise Ireland BioIndustry-Led Research Programme
Actel Opens European Processor R&D Centre in Dublin

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May 25, 2006
Launch of €2 Million Enterprise Ireland BioIndustry-Led Research Programme
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin T.D., today (Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006) officially launched a €2 million Enterprise Ireland research programme for the biotechnology industry. The ‘BioIndustry-Led Research Programme’ aims to add value to the Irish biotechnology sector by addressing R&D priorities, as identified by companies in Ireland, for their development over the next 2-3 years.

Announcing the programme, Minister Martin said: “Biotechnology is an area of global opportunity where Ireland has a strong research base. This programme is an example of industry, academia and government working together to facilitate innovation. This targeted approach will contribute to the competitiveness of Irish biotech companies in global markets”.

For the programme, Enterprise Ireland, in collaboration with the Irish BioIndustry Association, invited leading business managers and scientists, from biotechnology companies in Ireland, to identify key priority areas for research. The areas identified as a result of this consultation were biodiagnostics and bioprocess monitoring. The R&D will be carried out, on behalf of the companies, by a team of leading academics from Irish Universities with expertise in sensors, microfluidics, microelectronics, biodiagnostics and process engineering.

Speaking at the launch, Feargal Ó’Móráin, Executive Director of Enterprise Ireland said, “The Enterprise Ireland Strategy: Transforming Irish Industry 2005 – 2007 has set ambitious targets to substantially increase the number of companies performing R&D. We are confident that this programme’s strategic and innovative R&D approach, will deliver technological advancements and enhanced efficiencies for biotech companies in Ireland.”

Paul Logue (Elan), Chair of the Industry Advisory Board, commented “This programme provides a unique forum for industry and academia to work on challenging research projects that have great potential benefit to industry in Ireland. These projects will sow the seeds for a new way for industry and academia to collaborate.”

* Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Irish BioIndustry Association (IBIA) have been working in partnership to develop a programme to stimulate bioindustry relevant research in Irish Universities. The overall aim of this €2 million, 18 month, programme is to apply state-of-the-art technologies to solve problems faced by the Irish biotechnology industry thereby bringing improvements and adding value to this industry sector.

The programme will support and advance the development of strategic, innovative R&D in Irish companies. Specific goals include:

• Perform R&D projects for Irish BioIndustries, meeting generic R&D gaps in these industries
• Increase awareness of industry R&D needs in third level institutions
• Provide a platform for industry-academic partnerships
• Promote industry-industry interaction and R&D opportunity
• Train scientists in industry-relevant technical competencies
• Support the development of R&D activity within companies

Through a consultative process, Irish Biodiagnostics and Bioprocessing companies identified the following R&D priorities:

In Bio-diagnostics :
• Improved end-point detection sensitivity
• Quantitative and qualitative read-out devices for Point-of-Care test systems
• Novel miniature diagnostic platforms
• Multiplexing capability
• Alternative methods for stabilisation of biological materials
• Rigorous stability testing model

In Bioprocess Monitoring:
• In line/at-line bio-reactor sampling device
• In-line/at-line sensors
• Rapid assays for contamination monitoring

Enterprise Ireland and the Irish BioIndustry Association have also convened an industry advisory board, chaired by Mr Paul Logue (Elan), to advise on the programme. Leading scientists and business managers from Elan, Wyeth, Biotrin International, Deerac Fluidics, Luxcel, Omega Research and Enfer comprise this board with Tekes (National Technology Agency of Finland) providing external consultancy support to the programme.

The R&D team is comprised of leading academics from Irish Universities (DCU, NUIG, Tyndall National Institute, UCC, UCD, UL) with expertise in sensors, microfluidics, microelectronics, biodiagnostics and process engineering.

Throughout the programme there will be continued consultation with industry through workshops and company visits.

An outreach programme aimed at addressing the skills and training needs identified through consultation with industry is underway. Workshops in the areas of project planning and regulatory issues are scheduled for 2006-2007.

About Brendan Lawlor
Brendan Lawlor has been appointed Programme Manager for the BioIndustry Led Research Programme. Brendan has over 20 years experience working as a consultant and project manager. He is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from UCD and also holds an MBA. He has worked with EI Bio, the National Diagnostics Centre and Abbott Diagnostics in recent years. He has also worked with several companies in the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry in Ireland and internationally.