Industry & Business

Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced a collaboration with the National Institute of Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) in Dublin to establish a process science and technology laboratory that will strengthen productivity of manufacturing processes for biologicals. The lab will house a team of 12 Bristol-Myers Squibb scientists who will advance complex bioprocesses used to produce BMS’s biologics products and benefit from close collaboration with the scientific staff at the NIBRT. The laboratory is expected to be operational by June 2016.

The collaboration comes ahead of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s plans to open a new €900 million state-of-the-art, large-scale biologics manufacturing facility in Cruiserath, County Dublin, near Blanchardstown that will produce multiple therapies for the company’s growing Immuno-Oncology portfolio. The manufacturing facility is estimated to be operational in 2019.

In addition to establishing a laboratory, the Bristol-Myers Squibb-NIBRT collaboration includes:

• Customised NIBRT experiential training programmes for Bristol-Myers Squibb  employees across all areas of the biopharma manufacturing process
• Careers Day for prospective candidates
• Four-month training programme with NIBRT, followed by a paid three-month internship with Bristol-Myers Squibb for 20 skilled professionals through an association with Skillnet and the Department of Social Protection

“Bristol-Myers Squibb has a robust and growing portfolio of approved and investigational biologic medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, and NIBRT’s facilities and training capabilities will provide innovative and state-of-the-art support for our Cruiserath facility,” said Lou Schmukler, President, Global Manufacturing & Supply, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “Our people and operations in Ireland are integral to helping Bristol-Myers Squibb deliver innovative medicines to our patients around the world.”

The Cruiserath facility, which will employ up to 400 skilled science, professional and technical staff, will produce multiple therapies for the company’s growing biologics and diversified specialty medicines portfolio. Bristol-Myers Squibb employs 25,000 people worldwide, including 550 in Ireland.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb,” said Dominic Carolan, chief executive officer, NIBRT. “As the national bioprocessing training and research facility, NIBRT is committed to supporting international and domestic biologics investment to Ireland. Working with companies to develop innovative, tailored programmes to complement recruitment, training and research needs is core to our mission.  Our collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb has thus far seen us facilitate a very successful BMS Careers Day last November and delivering customised training programmes to BMS employees and Skillnet students.  We’re delighted to be welcoming the BMS scientific team to NIBRT.”

Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland said “This is a welcome collaboration following the announcement by BMS to establish a new large-scale biologics manufacturing facility in Cruiserath employing 400 people by 2019.  IDA is committed to supporting continued growth in the biopharma sector.  As the pipeline of new biologic drugs continues to improve, it is clear that there is more potential in this industry for job creation and investment.  The availability of such excellent research and training facilities as the IDA Ireland supported National Institute of Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) assists us as we seek to attract further biopharma companies to establish operations here.”