The partnership could significantly strengthen Ireland’s position within the European pharmaceutical research and innovation space.

Research Ireland’s Rinn Pharma & Biopharma, Ireland’s national centre for research and innovation in the manufacturing of medicines, has today (7 August) announced its inclusion in the NordicPharmaTrain (NPT) network. 

NPT is a European research and training network that connects academic and industry partners with the aim of advancing pharmaceutical innovation. The network supports collaborative research, researcher mobility and interdisciplinary training, as a means of developing the next generation of scientists and strengthening Europe’s pharmaceutical research ecosystem.

Rinn Pharma & Biopharma’s inclusion aims to enhance NPT’s network of research institutions and industry collaborators, strengthening cross-border collaboration and accelerating scientific progress within the larger pharmaceutical sector.

As part of the collaboration, Rinn Pharma & Biopharma will host visiting researchers and PhD students, providing them with access to state-of-the-art laboratories, infrastructure and training, with the aim of supporting skills development, as well as academic and industry engagement.

Commenting on the announcement, Prof Damien Thompson, the director of Rinn Pharma & Biopharma, said, “By joining NordicPharmaTrain, we are accelerating Ireland’s role in delivering innovative pharmaceutical solutions. 

“This partnership enables us to collaborate internationally on advanced manufacturing, formulation and digital technologies, areas that are critical to the competitiveness and sustainability of Ireland’s life sciences sector.”

Dr Sarah Hayes, Rinn Pharma & Biopharma’s COO, added, “This partnership is mutually beneficial, providing access to a dynamic collaborative ecosystem with expanded opportunities for joint research, shared expertise and participation in European funding initiatives.

“It also enhances visibility within the Nordic and wider European research community, and broadens access to talented researchers and PhD candidates.”

In late July, it was announced that Rinn Pharma & Biopharma and Cork-based biotech spin-out ArrayPatch would collaborate on developing a novel skin cancer treatment using a patented dissolvable microneedle platform. The project aims to improve the effectiveness of treatments and minimise side effects by using microneedles to deliver drugs with increased precision.

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