2005 Press Releases
BioTransfer Unit launched and BioInnovation Centre opened at UCC, 24 June
UCC's position at the forefront of biotechnology research in Ireland
will be confirmed with the official opening of the BioInnovation Centre
and the BioTransfer Unit at UCC today Friday (24 June 2005) by the
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr Micheál Martin, TD.
This initiative in bioincubation and technology transfer is a
partnership between UCC and Enterprise Ireland aimed at ensuring access
and transfer to industry of advanced research results obtained at UCC
and the development of Irish based biotechnology businesses.
The BioInnovation Centre offers entrepreneurs an ideal environment to
foster the growth and development of early-stage biotechnology based
businesses with 400 sq. m of newly refurbished laboratory facilities
and office space, and a range of business supports and expertise
available. Funding of E750,000 for the refurbishment was provided
by Enterprise Ireland.
The BioTransfer Unit promotes the identification, protection and
commercialisation of intellectual property emanating from UCC
Bio/Lifesciences research. The new unit is headed by Professor Gerald
Fitzgerald and operates in conjunction with the UCC Industrial Liaison
Office and the Office of the Vice President for Research Policy and
Support. Management of the BioInnovation Centre will be a key
activity in the BioTransfer Unit's role of technology commercialisation.
Speaking at the launch Minister Martin stressed the strategic
importance of the biotechnology sector to Ireland's success in a highly
competitive global economy and the necessity to ensure that the
benefits of public investment in biotechnology are maximised.
"Ireland's biotechnology industry is primed for growth. Irish
bio-science is benefiting from combined funding of more than E1 billion
from Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Higher
Education Authority, the Health Research Board, the European Union and
others. As a result biotechnology can now fulfil its promise to become
one of the key sectors that will create a high-tech research and
industrial base in Ireland."
Professor Gerard Wrixon, President of UCC spoke of the University's
role as a partner in regional development and its commitment to
providing a world class environment for its academic researchers and
entrepreneurs. "UCC has put research as a cornerstone of its future
development with staff attracting research income of E55 million in
2003/2004. Efficient management of the knowledge produced is vital to
ensure timely transfer of innovation to industry for public benefit.
Initiatives such as the BioInnovation Centre and the BioTransfer Unit
are central to our current strategic plan which expresses our
commitment to support innovation and entrepreneurialism."
Mr Feargal Ó Móráin, Director, Applied Research and Commercialisation,
Enterprise Ireland highlighted the need to strengthen the links between
third level college researchers and the business community.
"Enterprise Ireland is working with third level institutions and the
private sector to ensure that the infrastructure required by
early-stage biotechnology businesses meets the demand over time. Staff
from the Biotechnology arm of Enterprise Ireland are based in the
BioTransfer Unit to assist in the protection of research and to enable
Irish based companies to acquire and develop technology applications
from the research community in order to strengthen their position in
competitive global markets."
The first clients of the BioInnovation Centre include three companies
who will initially be creating 25 high value technical and commercial
jobs based in the Centre:
- Alimentary Health, a company that has developed a platform probiotic technology focused on the management of gastrointestinal health
- Luxcel Biosciences, a provider of drug discovery tools and solutions to the pharmaceutical industry
- Glantreo Ltd, a company that is commercialising a novel materials technology with application in the biotechnology, chemistry and nanotechnology space.
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