Investment by Science Foundation Ireland in the SSPC at UL will strengthen cross company partnership and research collaboration
Limerick Chamber has today (1st July 2013) welcomed the announcement of €40million funding to support world-class research at the Synthesis & Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC) based at University of Limerick – a unique collaboration between 17 companies 8 academic institutions that will position the region and Ireland as a global hub for pharmaceutical process innovation and advanced manufacturing.
Speaking at the announcement, Limerick Chamber CEO Maria Kelly, commented that it will “build on existing success and can be the foundation of a strong cluster potential for the Limerick and Mid West area. It aligns with the recent Limerick 2030 draft Economic and Spatial Plan and will allow Ireland to become an even more attractive and competitive international location for the pharmaceutical sector.
The Centre highlights the benefits of sharing knowledge and expertise, and reinforces the importance of relationships between academia and inter-industry. It moves Ireland into the higher-valued added echelon of R&D which increases the attractiveness for Limerick and the surrounding area in attracting other potential companies from this sector globally. In addition, it further aligns stakeholders locally and continues to provide a strong platform to foster innovation with a view to enhance competitiveness.
With a primary aim of moving from being a centre of excellence in pharmaceutical manufacturing to being a global hub for advanced manufacturing and process innovation this announcement also offers potential to utilise the knowledge capital and expertise from the process manufacturing resources available in the region and spur the dynamics of movement across sectors. I want to extend a particular word of congratulations to the team in UL and to Limerick Chamber board member Dr Mary Shire, VP of Research at UL, in their efforts to secure this critical investment for Limerick” concluded Ms Kelly.
The Irish pharmaceutical industry, as one of the largest critical mass employment sectors nationally and in the west, supports over 60,000 Irish jobs and exports over €50 billion annually.
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