Waters, Ireland's NIBRT Partner on Training and Research to Advance Burgeoning Biopharma Industry

DUBLIN, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Irish National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) and Waters® Corporation (NYSE: WAT) announced today they have formed a multi-level partnership designed to support advanced concepts and deliver the promise of more effective biotherapeutic innovations addressing the world's most challenging diseases through both training and research.

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Waters and NIBRT have established the Complete Product and Processing Characterization Facility (CPPCF) for hands-on laboratory based scientific training and retraining of 'fit-for-purpose' biopharmaceutical analysis, including protein and peptide characterization. The CPPCF's goal is to provide comprehensive training of industry and governmental technicians and scientists to help the burgeoning industry develop advanced biotherapeutic characterization The new facility will also educate scientists on existing and upcoming U.S. and European drug regulations.

Furthermore, the partnership establishes NIBRT as a Waters Center of Innovation in the area of glycobiology research. Prof. Pauline Rudd, NIBRT's principal investigator, and her team will be working with Waters mass spectrometry based systems to take challenging glycan characterization to the next level. By improving understanding of glycan chemical and molecular structure, scientists can better understand safety and efficacy profiles for a potential molecule, leading directly to novel biotherapeutic options.

Officiating the opening ceremonies for the two new laboratories, Mr. Sean Sherlock TD, Minister for Research and Innovation, Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation commented, "The combination of Pauline Rudd's expertise in glycan analysis and Waters technology for analysis of complex biological samples provides a unique combination of capabilities that can help underpin Ireland's continued reputation as a centre of excellence for the very highest quality standards in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.  I'm truly delighted to announce this collaboration as it will surely assist both NIBRT and Waters in further cementing their reputation as providers of choice for the biopharmaceutical industry and Ireland's reputation as a world leading location for biotech manufacturing."

Biopharmaceuticals are increasingly important to patients and drug manufacturers. By 2014, it is expected that 50% of the top 100 prescribed medications will be biopharmaceuticals, including four of the top five selling drugs.

Welcoming this partnership, NIBRT's Interim Director Prof Ian Marison commented, "Ireland is a leading location globally for the development and manufacture of complex biopharmaceutical drugs.  This is due in large part to a sustained commitment to quality and compliance with the highest regulatory standards.

"NIBRT was created by the Irish government to underpin the biopharmaceutical industry. One key area that NIBRT will focus on is research into improved product analytics to assist the industry in maintaining exacting quality standards. A second key area is bioanalytical training in the most modern and advanced analytical methods.

"This is being achieved through a major partnership with Waters, who are world leaders in analytical equipment development. This partnership will enable NIBRT, with the help of Waters, to provide advanced solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, including protein characterization, N- and O- glycan analysis."

Waters is the leader in biopharmaceutical analytical technology, which is fundamental to the advancement of biopharmaceuticals. The company offers a comprehensive technology solution that gives biopharmaceutical manufacturers the analytics they need from discovery to development to commercialization and everything in between.

"Through this lab and other collaborations, Waters will work with industry to improve the development of biopharmaceuticals and inform governments on the types of regulations that should be put in place," said Mike Harrington, Waters Vice President, European Operations.

Industry and government biopharmaceutical leaders in Europe and beyond applauded the Waters-NIBRT partnership.

Waters' effort with NIBRT is the latest demonstration of the company's commitment to creating partnerships that enable it to multiply its impact on critical public health issues, including food safety, safe drugs and clean water.

About NIBRT

The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, Dublin, Ireland is a centre of excellence that supports the biopharma sector by offering research platform solutions for bio-manufacturing and provides tailored accredited industrial training and academic educational programmes to students in purpose-built flexible and modern bioprocessing facilities that will facilitate the expansion of the biopharma sector in Ireland. For further information, please refer to www.nibrt.ie.

About Waters Corporation (www.waters.com)

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) creates business advantages for laboratory-dependent organizations by delivering practical and sustainable innovation to enable significant advancements in such areas as healthcare delivery, environmental management, food safety, and water quality worldwide. 

Pioneering a connected portfolio of separations science, laboratory information management, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis, Waters' technology breakthroughs and laboratory solutions provide an enduring platform for customer success.

With revenue of $1.85 billion in 2011, Waters is driving scientific discovery and operational excellence for customers worldwide.

Waters is a trademark of the Waters Corporation. 

SOURCE Waters Corporation