Ireland has more to offer when it comes to research

Ireland is known for its manufacturing and exports prowess in the life sciences but the research and development piece (R&D) has been slightly slower to establish itself. Recent years, however, have seen significant spikes in research activity, with major investments by a number of our multinational companies and enhanced links between industry, academia and government bodies.

Impact 2030, Ireland’s latest research and innovation strategy, was launched earlier this year, and clearly illustrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring Ireland is seen as a global innovation leader. This is particularly important as the industry begins to embrace the potential of advanced therapeutics such as cell and gene therapy, and tissue engineering. These therapies offer curative potential for a range of complex diseases and form part of the drive towards personalised medicine, tailored to the individual.

This still nascent area offers huge potential for Ireland inc when it comes to building our R&D capability, says Elaine Daly, global head of business consulting at Grant Thornton Ireland.

“At present there is a significant growth in research in the areas of advanced therapeutic medicinal products and the emergence of more personalised medicine-based therapeutics in Ireland. This increasingly appears to be the direction of growth for future therapeutics,” she says. “Despite a strong and growing sector, however, Ireland’s involvement and investment in clinical trials and research in this area is not significant. This may be due to a lack of multinational R&D sites in Ireland. Regardless of the contributory factors it would be highly advisable that Ireland increase its involvement in R&D and clinical trials for these therapeutic areas.”

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Wheels are beginning to turn on this, however. The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) recently commenced construction work on an ambitious expansion of its existing facility in Dublin, which will increase NIBRT’s capacity and capability to conduct manufacturing-focused research and training in the area of advanced therapeutics.

NIBRT, which is located on University College Dublin’s Belfield campus, is a prime example of industry-academia collaboration driving innovation in the life sciences. Science Foundation Ireland and the Health Research Board, among other government bodies, are funding major collaborative research efforts that bring industry, academia and clinical institutions together.

According to Daly, the continued success in R&D delivering new therapies and treatments will rely on the continued innovation and ingenuity of research conducted by academic institutions/academic partners across Ireland. “Academic research groups, in isolation or in partnership with industry, are central in conducting vital research that is imperative in driving clinical and therapeutic discoveries.”

Reggie Kelly, vice-president, development, Gilead Sciences, agrees that Ireland is best known for its manufacturing and exports but it has much more to offer when it comes to clinical research and innovation. “Gilead recognises the unique environment in Ireland that has made so many life-saving medical advancements possible. We are dedicated to the continued promotion of research and development in Ireland,” he tells The Irish Times.

Gilead’s recently opened Global Paediatric Centre of Excellence in Dublin is the hub for all of the company’s paediatric studies across its entire portfolio, with the Dublin office responsible for coordinating clinical trials for seven products across 18 countries.

“As a result Dublin is placed at the heart of our global network of clinical trial sites and includes our clinical operations, regulatory and IP teams who help manage these medicines through the entire process of human trials,” says Kelly.

It is Kelly’s view, particularly in light of current developments surrounding the reform of the EU’s pharmaceutical strategy, that it is critically important that Europe, and Ireland, aspire to become the home of research, of high-quality jobs and of fast access to innovation.

“A number of factors make Ireland the ideal hub for the global management of clinical trials,” he says. He notes, however, that more work is needed to enable more of these studies to happen in Ireland. “Reforms in the clinical trials process, especially efficiency measures, funding, protected research time in hospitals and, ultimately, improved access to innovative medicines in Ireland are needed to attract more research.”

Kelly stresses that in order to investigate the latest potential advances the currently globally-recognised standard of care needs to be available in the system for comparison. He also notes that, among other requests, the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) has called for protected research time for clinicians and hospital staff to be implemented. “With the right legislative reforms on a national and EU level Ireland has the capacity to become a more significant centre for clinical trials.”

The medical technology industry in Ireland is also changing from one dominated by manufacturing to being more complex and driven by R&D, according to Sinead Keogh, director of the Ibec medtech & engineering sector.

“Globally the medtech sector is defined by its strong history of research and innovation, with the average medtech worldwide R&I investment rate estimated to be approximately 8 per cent in the sector,” says Keogh.

The Irish medtech community has been a driver of this innovation, she says, with patents granted to Irish companies almost doubling from 2017 to 2020, making it stand out as fifth in the world for medtech patents per capita.

With 17 of the top 20 global medtech companies based here, many have established centres of excellence in innovation including Stryker, Medtronic, Bausch + Lomb, Alcon, Abbott and Johnson & Johnson. “In fact 75 per cent of the FDI community are engaged and are continuing to invest in R&D right across the value chain,” says Keogh.

Medtronic’s recent announcement of 200 new R&D-related roles in Galway is a great example of investment of this nature, she adds.

Continued investment will ensure Ireland continues to be positioned to compete, she says. Ibec has also partnered with the Irish Medtech Skillnet on the development of a “realising your R&D ambition strategy”.

“This will help build the level and sophistication of R&D taking place here amongst the FDI community and to support companies take full ownership of product portfolios.”