27 Apr 2006

Major new training initiative announced to support the Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Industry

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On Monday, 24 April 2006, Professor Gerard Wrixon, President UCC, announced the establishment of a Strategic Advisory Board to advise on training requirements for the Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical industries in the region.

The Board will direct the activities of the recently formed partnership between University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology, Fás and Pharmaceutical/Biopharmaceutical industries. This partnership was set up to address the comprehensive training needs of an increasingly complex industry.

Based on input from both the industry and educational partners programmes will be designed to address current and emerging needs of all employees within these sectors. Professor Wrixon noted:  "Ultimately this training will serve both the public and the Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical industry by improving the competence, quality, and effectiveness of pharmaceutical professionals."

In announcing the establishment of the Board, Professor Wrixon said: "The appointment of a world class Strategic Advisory Board to influence future graduate and post graduate programmes is a key element in assuring that the educational institutes fully support the growth and development of the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sector. The Board will ensure that the programmes delivered by the educational institutes will be relevant to, and influenced by, the needs of the industrial sector.  We are committed to providing the full range of world class training support to facilitate the development of the sector both nationally and internationally."  

The board will be chaired by Dr. John Mitchell who recently retired as President of Pfizer Global Manufacturing and Senior Vice President, Pfizer Inc. John holds a BEng from Yale University and is one of the most influential figures in worldwide pharmaceutical manufacturing, having been responsible for Pfizer's global production of human pharmaceuticals, consumer health products and animal health products. Pfizer established its first plant in Cork in 1969 and now has six plants in Ireland.

The other members of the board are:

• Dr Dennis Fenton, Executive Vice President Operations, Amgen
• Mr Charles Fisher, Director Bulk Pharma Manufacturing, Eli Lilly
• Dr Terry Lambe, Vice President Manufacturing, Ireland/Singapore, Pfizer
• Dr Reg Shaw, Managing Director Wyeth Biopharma
• Mr Bob Sheroff, President Global Biologics Supply Chain Division, Centocor
• Mr Pat Mc Grath, CEO Project Management Ltd.
• Mr Michael Delaney, Head of Development, Cork Institute of Technology
• Mr Jerry Linehan, Manager Fás SW Region
• Prof Michael Murphy, Head College of Medicine and Health, UCC
• Dr Colman Casey, Director Pharma/Biopharma Training, UCC

The inaugural Board meeting took place at UCC on Wednesday 26 April 2006, heralding an exciting new innovative partnership between industry and education providers.

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