UCC and Pfizer Partnership

6 Jun 2025

Recently, University College Cork has been working with Pfizer to advance important discoveries in the development of new medicines and the processes to underpin their manufacture. 

This work involves three strands – synthetic chemistry, analysis and formulation design led by Professor Anita Maguire, Professor Melissa Hanna-Brown and Professor Abina Crean respectively across the School of Chemistry University College Cork and School of Pharmacy, UCC within the overall framework of UCC Future Pharmaceuticals.

The first two postdoctoral researchers, Jacob Turner-Dore and Ilaria Neri have been recruited to focus on synthetic chemistry and analytical chemistry respectively, and expansion of the team to include three PhD students, one across each strand, is envisaged over the coming year.

Building on our-longstanding relationships over nearly five decades, our goal is to forge not only important new research engagements at global level but also develop and invest in our highly skilled, interdisciplinary, researchers who will drive exciting innovations in the development and manufacture of state of the art medicines for patients

UCC President Professor John O'Halloran shared; “University College Cork is strongly committed to ensuring we continue to deliver the talent and skills needed to underpin the growth and development of the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland as it expands its remit from manufacturing to increased activity in R&D. I welcome this new phase in our partnership with Pfizer which marks an important step in this journey.”

Dr Evelyn Madigan, Executive Director, Pharmaceutical Science, Pfizer R&D “We’re thrilled to continue working with UCC and deepen our existing relationship through engagement earlier in the scientific process. We see this collaboration as a unique opportunity to access the excellent talent and capability at UCC and to strengthen our position within the very strong scientific community in Ireland.”

Professor Anita Maguire, Director of UCC Future Pharmaceuticals, said “This new chapter with Pfizer is very welcome, opening exciting opportunities to build on existing research expertise within UCC and Pfizer, develop strategic collaborations with scientists in Pfizer global pharmaceutical sciences R&D team and deliver impact in terms of drug development. The opportunity offered to gain experience in working at the academic-industry interface has attracted two very talented early career researchers to focus on these efforts over the coming year, having completed PhDs from leading research teams in the UK and Italy. We look forward to exciting new research outcomes.”