2015 Press Releases
€7.5m for APC research
The APC Microbiome Institute at UCC is delighted to announce a €7.5m investment by Science Foundation Ireland and AbbVie for a five-year research collaboration in the area of Crohn’s disease.
The programme, to be led by APC Director Prof Fergus Shanahan and Project Leader, Dr Ken Nally, will support 11 new research positions at the APC.
Commenting on the announcement, Prof Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland said, “Autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s are common and debilitating. By partnering our leading researchers with those in a major pharmaceutical company like AbbVie we can hopefully accelerate the discovery of new knowledge which will lead to improved treatments and outcomes for patients. We are delighted that AbbVie - a global company - choose to partner with Irish researchers – this is a positive reflection of the quality and relevance of Irish scientific research – excellence and impact.”
AbbVie employs more than 500 people at five manufacturing and commercial sites across Ireland. Jim Sullivan, PhD, Vice President of Pharmaceutical Discovery at AbbVie, says that “AbbVie has a long history in Ireland and the country has contributed greatly to our global success. We are impressed with the high quality immunology research ongoing across academia in Ireland. Partnering with the leading researchers in autoimmune disease will foster continued innovation in one of our most important therapeutic areas. We hope to unlock the potential for significant advancements for patients with serious autoimmune disease.”
Prof Fergus Shanahan added that the AbbVie/APC venture is “a wonderful match, blending industry and academe with complementary technology and expertise”.