INDUSTRY LED RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

Enterprise Ireland is working with groups of indigenous and overseas firms to encourage and support the development of research agendas relevant to their medium term needs and which can form the basis for funded research projects/networks in third level institutions. Two programmes are underway - one in the biotechnology area in association with the Irish Bio-Industry Association and another in association with the Power Electronics Industry Group. These initiative forms the basis for a strong partnership between industry and academia focussed on meeting the research and technology needs of industry.

Enterprise Ireland is working with groups of indigenous and overseas firms to encourage and support the development of research agendas relevant to their medium term needs and which can form the basis for funded research projects/networks in third level institutions. Two programmes are underway - one in association with the Irish Bio-Industry Association and another in association with the Power Electronics Industry Group. These initiative forms the basis for a strong partnership between industry and academia focussed on meeting the research and technology needs of industry.

About the Bio-Industry Led Research Programme

Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Irish BioIndustry Association (IBIA) have working in partnership to develop a programme to stimulate bioindustry relevant research in Irish universities. Leaflet>>

The overall aim of the programme is to apply state-of-the-art technologies to solve biological 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 in line with the Enterprise Strategy Group Report 2004.

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 POC test systems

Novel miniature diagnostic platforms

Multiplexing capability

Alternative method for stabilisation of biological materials

Rigorous stability testing model

In Bioproces 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, BioClin Laboratories, 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, UCD, Tyndall National Institute, UCC, 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.

For information contact: Brendan Lawlor (EI Bio, Glasnevin)
Tel: +353 (0)1 8082692
Email: Brendan.lawlor@enterprise-ireland.com

Pauline Berkery (EI Bio, Glasnevin)
Tel: +353 (0)1 8082692
Email:Pauline.berkery@enterprise-ireland.com