Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton announces major biopharmaceutical research center
27th March 2002

A Narrow band version will be available later today

During her visit to Ireland, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton announced the establishment of a major new biopharmaceutical research institute by Dublin City University and Athlone Institute of Technology which will be located in Athlone and have links with Columbia University and the University of Buffalo in New York State.

The institute, to be known as Biopharma Ireland, will undertake basic and applied research in close liaison with the biopharmaceutical industry. There are currently six major multinational pharmaceutical companies within a close radius to Athlone. Among its customers, Biopharma will include industry, hospitals, and national and international research funding organisations. Through its links with Columbia University and the University of Buffalo, Biopharma will develop a research strategy that will lead to investment both in Ireland and in New York State.

During her visit to DCU, Senator Clinton visited Archport Ltd - a campus company, which will provide cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) biopharmaceutical production services to Biopharma.

"Whether we are talking about new vaccines to prevent some of our most deadly diseases or targeting specific forms of cancer or diabetes, the Biopharma researchers in Ireland, along with colleagues in New York State and around the world, will be fighting to improve the health of all humankind." The Senator said.

Using recent discoveries in cell and molecular biology, including the genome project, biopharmaceutical research concentrates on developing new medicines. These medicines include naturally occurring biomolecules, such as proteins, which until the advent of biotechnology, could not be obtained in sufficient quantities for widespread use. They also include new 'designer' biomolecules, generated for specific diseases such as monoclonal antibodies against cancer and synthetic vaccines.

Dublin City University (DCU) is one of Ireland's leading universities, particularly in science and technology, and the excellence of its work in the area of biotechnology has resulted in major public and private funding for its research projects and facilities. Most recently DCU was awarded very substantial public funding for its National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology.

Athlone Institute of Technology is located in the Midlands of Ireland and among its significant research areas is the Center for Biopolymer and Biomolecular Research.

Apart from Biopharma, there are a number of other partnerships between the State of New York and Ireland - largely facilitated by one organization, Atlantic Corridor. Dublin City University takes a strong lead in developing the Irish side of these partnerships. Through the President of the University, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, DCU is currently developing a number of significant links with New York State. The National Centre for Sensors Research, DCU is developing links with a number of New York State institutions. DCU and Syracuse University are jointly addressing the digital divide that exists in the poorest communities in the US and in Ireland. Working with Atlantic Corridor in New York, DCU is working to advance the cultural and artistic connections by initiating an active exchange of artists and arts administrators between Ireland and New York State.

ENDS

For further information:

Eileen Colgan: 353 1 700 5656