SSPC Annual Report_2014_4WEB

ANNUAL REPORT
#ULOPENDAY

OUR VISION
The vision of the Centre is to strengthen the
position of the pharmaceutical companies
in Ireland by conducting research to make
pharmaceutical manufacturing more efficient,
cost effective and environmentally sustainable.

CONTENTS
SSPC RESEARCH PROGRAMME
page 10
INTRODUCTION
page 6
PUBLIC RELATIONS
page 32
INDUSTRY LIASON
page 38

SSPC INVESTIGATORS
CENTRE MANAGEMENT
page 18 page 26
EDUCATION,
OUTREACH
& TRAINING
page 46
SSPC PARTNERS
page 54
FUNDING
page 42

SSPC IN NUMBERS
€44
MILLION
INVESTMENT
38
POST-DOCTORAL
RESEARCHERS
21
RESEARCH
PROJECTS
41
INVESTIGATORS
63
PhD
CANDIDATES
43
RESEARCH
PERFORMING
ORGANISATIONS
& INDUSTRY
PARTNERS
www.sspc.ie
www.sspc.ie

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION
This report provides a summary of key highlights from the Synthesis and
Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC) during the January-December 2014
reporting period.
The Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Research
Centres Programme was established in
2012 to develop a set of world-leading, large
scale research centres in Ireland that would
deliver major economic and social impact.
With a total of €545 million in Government
and industry funding to date, twelve centres
focused on various and strategic research
sectors have been established. The Centres
link scientists and engineers in partnerships
across academia and industry to address
critical research questions, help develop
new and existing technology companies in
Ireland, attract industry and expand science
and engineering educational and career
opportunities in Ireland.
Under the SFI Research Centres Programme,
the SSPC, a €42 million research centre
funded by SFI and industry, was launched
in June 2013. The SSPC is hosted at the
University of Limerick and is a unique
collaboration between 22 industry partners,
9 research performing organisations and 12
international academic collaborators. The
SSPC vision, developed in close collaboration
with SSPC national and international industry
and academic partners, is to strengthen
the position of the pharmaceutical industry
in Ireland by conducting research to make
pharmaceutical manufacturing more
efficient, cost effective and environmentally
sustainable.
08

It is also envisaged that SSPC will assist
the sector to move up the value chain and
diversify into research and development
(R&D) activities as well as helping to extend
product life cycle by process innovation,
thereby making Ireland more attractive as
a location when global strategic decisions
are been made. Led by SSPC Scientific
Director, Professor Kieran Hodnett, University
of Limerick, the SSPC supports a globallyleading
research team of 34 investigators,
who together have a combined 200 years of
experience; 34 post-doctoral researchers; and
60 doctoral students.
This reporting period (January-December
2014) has focused on the implementation
of communications, funding, education and
outreach, industry liaison, management,
leadership and oversight strategies.
Particular highlights of this reporting period
have been as follows: SSPC welcomed five
new industry partners, Novartis and FMC,
Genzyme, Allergan and BioMarin, along with
one research performing institution, NIBRT;
SSPC won the Partnership Alliance Award
at the Pharma Industry Awards; SSPC won
the SFI Research Image of the Year Award;
SSPC hosted an international business dinner
meeting in Atlanta, US; SSPC investigators
have been awarded approx. €8 million in
external funding; SSPC expanded its research
remit in to the biopharmaceutical area through
a new academic-industry collaboration; SSPC
filed two invention disclosures; SSPC have had
over 3,000 interactions with school pupils and
teachers and nearly 20,000 members of the
general public to engage and promote SSPC
research.
These are exciting times for the SSPC and
for our partners and we look forward to
continuing and building upon our unique
collaborations and innovations in the coming
years.
PROFESSOR KIERAN HODNETT
SSPC Scientific Director
09

SSPC RESEARCH PROGRAMME

SSPC RESEARCH PROGRAMME
is
cule
molecule
The SSPC leads the way for
next generation medicines
manufacture. The SSPC research
programme spans the entire
pharmaceutical production chain
from synthesis of the compound,
to the isolation of the material, and
the formulation of the medicine.
The SSPC’s globally-leading research programme
is organised into three interconnecting strands
(Molecule, Material, Medicine), which actively reflect
the three distinct steps in the manufacture of modern
medicines. The SSPC supports 19 research projects
across these three strands of research, which are
divided into 9 platform projects that aim towards the
progression of scientific state of the art, driven by
scientific challenges of the area; 8 targeted projects
that are driven by scientific challenges of specific
industrial needs; and 2 linker projects that are the
interactions between the strands, which concentrate
effort at interfaces where the most important
developments need to take place.
nthesis
olecule
of the molecule
isolation
of the material
molecule
material
STRAND 1
New Frontiers in Pharmaceutical Synthesis:
developing more environmentally sustainable
methods for drug manufacturing
olation
of the material
material
isolation
of the material
material
STRAND 2
Crystal Growth and Design:
increasing the range of medicines available to the
public
ulation
of the medicine
medicine
STRAND 3
Drug Product Formulation and Manufacture:
reducing drug manufacturing costs
n
icine
formulation
medicine
of the medicine
medicine

DEVELOPING MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY
SUSTAINABLE METHODS FOR DRUG MANUFACTURE
Strand 1: New Frontiers in Pharmaceutical Synthesis (Molecule)
GREENER
CHEMISTRY
The focus of Strand 1 research is on enantioselective and efficient synthetic routes and processes.
MAJOR THEMES INCLUDE:
• New catalysts and systems for cleaner production with excellent selectivity in
asymmetric synthesis, elimination of hazardous reagents and operation in benign
conditions.
• Innovative process technologies operating in flow conditions and where appropriate
achieving multiple transformation steps in a single reactor.
• New chemical methods for the efficient removal of impurities and side products.
GREENER
CHEMISTRY
INCREASING THE RANGE OF
MEDICINES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC
Strand 2: Crystal Growth and Design
The focus of Strand 2 research is on science and process engineering underpinning the
crystallisation of complex organic molecules with conformational flexibility and a multitude
of functional groups. Impurities and solvent selection are central to this strand.
MAJOR THEMES INCLUDE:
• Study of the underlying molecular interactions in supersaturated solutions and at
interfaces.
• Understanding the mechanisms that control product crystal properties such as
crystal structure, purity, shape and size.
• Exploiting these mechanisms to tailor and control crystal properties; to scale up and
scale down processes; and to develop model-based control for improved product
quality in traditional batch crystallisations as well as in emerging technologies
like continuous processing, cocrystallisation, nanocrystallisation and crystallisation
into excipient matrices.
13

REDUCING DRUG
MANUFACTURING COSTS
Strand 3: Drug Product Formulation
The focus of Strand 3 research is on bringing stronger scientific and process engineering
principles and knowledge into the domain of Solid State Pharmaceutics, which up to now
has essentially been empiric. This improved approach is demanded by the Quality by
Design knowledge-based approach to develop new products and formulations.
MAJOR THEMES INCLUDE:
• Understanding the nature and strength of interactions between APIs and excipients.
• Identification of currently unknown critical attributes in APIs and excipients that lead
to failures during formulation.
• Development of new materials and technologies for the generation and
stabilisation of the amorphous state, which is one approach to realising the
potential of BSC Class II poorly soluble drugs.

Advanced Biopharmaceutical
Technologies Research Collaboration
The SSPC was successful in securing €1.5 million in funding from Science
Foundation Ireland’s Spokes call and industry partners, for an Advanced
Biopharmaceutical Technologies Research Collaboration. This success advances
the SSPC research remit in to the biopharmaceutical area.
The research led by SSPC Scientific Director Prof/ Kieran Hodnett, University of Limerick will work with
seven industry partners – Allergan Pharmaceuticals Ireland, BioMarin Manufacturing Ireland Ltd., Eli Lilly
and Company, Genzyme Ireland Ltd – A Sanofi Company, Janssen Biologics, MSD and Pfizer Ireland
Pharmaceuticals– and three research performing organisations, the National Institute for Bioprocessing
Research and Training (NIBRT), Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and Dublin City University (DCU). This new
academic-industry collaboration centres its research upon single use technologies for bioprocessing, which
will reduce manufacturing costs and overcome associated challenges for the biopharmaceutical industry.
15

Researcher Highlights
– SSPC investigators have published over 150 publications
– SSPC have given over 115 invited presentations
– SSPC’s Scientific Director Prof. Kieran Hodnett, University of Limerick
contributed to a White Paper at the International Symposium on Continuous
Manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals, MIT.
– SSPC Prof. Anita Maguire, UCC, admitted to the Royal Irish Academy and
listed in top 50 of Silicon Republic’s Women Invent: 100 top women in STEM.
– SSPC international collaborator Prof. Michael Zaworotko, University of
Limerick, named on Thompson Reuters’ world list of top 3000 researchers
– SSPC Prof. Ake Rasmuson, University of Limerick, wins the MSSI, UL
research award for the most Web of Science Journal Papers Published.
16

Research Project Management
and Communications
During the reporting period the 19 individual statements of work, which were developed for each project
and signed by each academic and industry project member, were approved by the management committee.
To facilitate SSPC’s national and international research teams (which is currently a community of approx. 250
members), the SSPC continued to implement and support its bespoke and modern communications platform
for each of its 19 research projects. Each project leader holds a bi-monthly meeting, which incorporates
both online and face to face communications platforms. In addition, each project has an online project area,
which is updated on a regular basis by the project teams and can be accessed by all project members at
any time and any place. During the reporting period, project communications training was provided for SSPC
post-doctoral researchers. In addition to project meetings, the SSPC community met on four occasions at
the April, June, September and December 2014 SSPC Technical Meetings.
Butyl paraben
crystals grown from
acetonitrile solution
BY DR LIJUN JIA, SSPC

SSPC INVESTIGATORS

SSPC INVESTIGATORS
The SSPC supports 27 globally-leading investigators.
Professor Kieran Hodnett
SSPC SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR
Email: kieran.hodnett@ul.ie
Prof. Hodnett is the former Dean of the
Faculty of Science and Engineering
at the University of Limerick (2007-
2013), having previously served as
Head of the Department of Chemical
and Environmental Sciences (1995-
1998) and Director of the Materials
and Surface Science Institute (1999-
2003). Prof. Hodnett played a lead role
in the Aughinish Alumina- University of
Limerick 5 Year Research Collaboration,
which provided the foundations
for the Solid State Pharmaceutical
Cluster (2007-2013). Prof. Hodnett has
published over 120 papers in refereed
journals, which have over 2800 ISI
citations, and has supervised 30 PhD
students to completion. Prof. Hodnett’s
current research interests are in the
polymorphism in pharmaceutical
compounds and active pharmaceutical
crystallisation into excipient matrices.
Professor Anita Maguire
STRAND 1 LEADER AND
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Email: a.maguire@ucc.ie
Prof. Maguire undertook undergraduate
and postgraduate studies in Chemistry
at University College Cork (UCC)
(B.Sc. 1985, Ph.D. 1989). Following
postdoctoral research first at Namur,
Belgium then at the University of
Exeter, Prof. Maguire returned to the
Department of Chemistry in UCC in
1991, initially as a College Lecturer,
then as Associate Professor in Organic
Chemistry in 2002. In 2004, Prof.
Maguire was appointed to the newlyestablished
Chair of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, jointly in the Department
of Chemistry and the School of
Pharmacy, and has played a leading role
in development of the School of Pharmacy
in recent years. Since her appointment at
UCC, Prof. Maguire has played a strategic
role in the development of teaching and
learning, including the introduction of
Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
at undergraduate level for the first time.
Over the past 23 years, Prof. Maguire has
led an active research team focusing on
synthetic organic and pharmaceutical
chemistry, which interacts extensively with
the pharmaceutical sector in Ireland and internationally.
Prof. Maguire is committed to postgraduate education,
ensuring research students gain the skills required to
underpin their future careers. 37 PhD and five MSc students
have graduated from her research team since 1997, most of
whom have developed careers within the pharmaceutical
industry both in Ireland and internationally. Prof. Maguire was
appointed as Vice President for Research and Innovation in
January 2011.
20

Professor Pat Guiry
STRAND 1 LEADER AND PRINCIPAL
INVESTIGATOR
Email: patrick.guiry@ucd.ie
Prof. Pat Guiry is a Professor of Synthetic Organic Chemistry
at University College Dublin. Prof. Guiry holds a PhD and
a BSc (Hons), Chemistry from University College Dublin.
In 2013 Prof. Guiry was elected as a Member of the Royal
Irish Academy and in 2014, Prof. Guiry was appointed Royal
Irish Academy Vice-Chair, Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences and was awarded the
Boyle-Higgins Medal by the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland. Prof. Guiry’s research specialises
in synthetic organic chemistry, with interests in both the development of asymmetric synthetic
methodology through the application of new chiral ligands in homogeneous metal-catalysed
transformations and in the total synthesis of compounds of biological interest.
Professor Åke C Rasmuson
STRAND 2 LEADER AND
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Email: Ake.Rasmuson@ul.ie
Prof. Rasmuson is a Professor of Chemical Engineering and
Industrial Chemistry at the University of Limerick (UL). Having
received both an MSc and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from
the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden, Prof.
Rasmuson went on to receive a chair at KTH before joining UL in
2008. Prof. Rasmuson’s main field of research is various aspects of
crystallization and crystallization processes including: fundamentals
of solubility, nucleation, growth and agglomeration; experimental
determination of solution thermodynamics and crystallization
kinetics; crystallization of organic molecules from solution; influence
of hydrodynamics and mixing in crystallization processes; and
batch crystallization process design. In addition, Prof. Rasmuson
has experience of hydrodynamics and mixing in agitated tanks,
recovery of methane from anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge
and recovery of rare earth elements from mineral waste and spent
car batteries. Prof. Rasmuson has been the adviser of 23 PhD
programs, 23 Licentiate theses and approximately 70 MSc theses.
The research group at present has
six postdoctoral researchers and six
PhD students. Prof. Rasmuson has
published 112 papers in scientific
journals, presented 54 conference
papers and coauthored 30 reports
for industrial cooperation projects.
21

Professor Brian Glennon
STRAND 2 LEADER AND
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Email: brian.glennon@ucd.ie
Prof. Glennon is a Professor of Chemical and Bioprocess
Engineering in University College Dublin (UCD) and
Director of Pharmaceutical Process Engineering Research
Group. The main research interests of the group are in the
development and application of measurement, modelling
and control strategies for the design and optimization of
pharmaceutical processes. Prof. Glennon is co-founder
of APC Ltd., a process engineering technologies and
solutions company which works with the majority of the
world’s leading pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical
companies. Prior to joining UCD, Prof. Glennon worked with
pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc.
Professor Anne Marie Healy
STRAND 3 LEADER AND
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Email: healyam@tcd.ie
Prof. Healy is Professor in Pharmaceutics and
Pharmaceutical Technology in the School of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
and is currently Head of School. Prof. Healy is a registered
pharmacist; she holds a B.Sc. in Pharmacy and a Ph.D. in
Pharmaceutics, both from TCD. Prof. Healy joined the School
of Pharmacy, TCD in 1992 as a Lecturer in Pharmaceutics.
In 2010, Prof. Healy was elected Fellow of Trinity College.
Prof. Healy has over 60 peer reviewed publications
and has given over 100 presentations at national and
international conferences. Prof. Healy’s research interests
include pharmaceutical material science, amorphous forms,
formulating poorly soluble drugs and pulmonary drug
delivery.
22

Professor Gavin Walker
STRAND 3 LEADER AND PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Email: Gavin.Walker@ul.ie
Prof. Walker was appointed as the Bernal Chair of
Pharmaceutical Powder Engineering at the University
of Limerick (UL) in 2012. Prof. Walker is also a Visiting
Research Professor of Chemical Engineering at Queen’s
University Belfast, UK. Prof. Walker’s research interests
include particle/powder technology, granulation
processes and materials engineering. Prof. Walker has
published over 130 international journal papers (>2500
citations, h-index 26) on various aspects of chemical and
process engineering and is Associate Editor of Chemical
Engineering Journal and Chemical Engineering Research
and Design. Prof. Walker has been awarded two Royal
Academy of Engineering (UK) fellowships: the ExxonMobil
Fellowship in 2002 and the Leverhulme Trust Senior
Research Fellowship in 2009.
Optical micrograph
showing
Optical
different
micrograph image
carbamazepine
showing a Form II piracetam
crystalline crystal polymorphs undergoing a
produced polymorphic from transformation
methanol to a more using stable Form III
supercritical crystal in methanol CO 2
at 25°C
BY DR BY LUIS DR PADRELA, ANTHONY SSPC MAHER, SSPC,
WINNER OF SFI
RESEARCH IMAGE OF THE YEAR
COMPETITION 2014.

Funded Investigators
Title and Name: Institution: E-mail
Prof. Martin Albrecht University College Dublin martin.albrecht@ucd.ie
Professor Stephen Connon Trinity College Dublin connons@tcd.ie
Dr Abina Crean University College Cork a.crean@ucc.ie
Professor Gavin Davey Trinity College Dublin gdavey@tcd.ie
Professor Alan Dobson University College Cork a.dobson@ucc.ie
Dr Andrea Erxleben NUI Galway andrea.erxleben@nuigalway.ie
Dr Patrick Frawley University of Limerick patrick.frawley@ul.ie
Dr Nick Gathergood Dublin City University nick.gathergood@dcu.ie
Andrew Kellett Dublin City University andrew.kellett@dcu.ie
Professor Declan Gilheany University College Dublin declan.gilheany@ucd.ie
Dr Clement L. Higginbotham Athlone Institute of Technology chigginbotham@ait.ie
Dr Sarah Hudson University of Limerick sarah.husdson@ul.ie
Dr Simon E. Lawrence University College Cork s.lawrence@ucc.ie
Professor Edmond Magner University of Limerick edmond.magner@ul.ie
Dr Gerard McGlacken University College Cork g.mcglacken@ucc.ie
Dr Peter McLoughlin Waterford Institute of Technology pmcloughlin@wit.ie
Dr Humphrey Moynihan University College Cork h.moynihan@ucc.ie
Professor Fergal O’Gara University College Cork f.ogara@ucc.ie
Dr Francesca Paradisi University College Dublin francesca.paradisi@ucd.ie
Dr Kevin M. Ryan University of Limerick kevin.m.ryan@ul.ie
Dr Alan Ryder National University of Ireland, Galway alan.ryder@nuigalway.ie
Dr Lidia Tajber Trinity College Dublin lidia.tajber@tcd.ie
24

The SSPC also supports
34 post-doctoral research and
60 PhD candidates
Recruitment of post-doctoral researchers and PhD candidates began in
June 2013.
25

CENTRE MANAGEMENT

CENTRE MANAGEMENT
In accordance with SFI guidelines, the SSPC has established a Governance
Committee, a Scientific Advisory Board, an Industry Advisory Board; a
Management Committee and a Support Team.
Governance Committee
Scientific
Advisory
Board
Centre Director
Management Committee
Industry
Advisory
Board
IP Sub-Committee
Governance Committee
The centre is currently in the process of establishing an appropriate governance committee in keeping with
the size and scale of the research programme and funding received. The Governance Committee will be put
in place in the January-March 2014 period and will consist of 8 members, including the following members:
Title and Name:
Joe Harford
Dr Barry Heavey
Mr Matt Moran
Dr Dennis Smith
Dr Jon Paul Sherlock
Prof. Kieran Hodnett
Dr Seamus Malone
Dr Mary Shire
Prof. Brian Glennon
Mr Jon O’Halloran (ex officio)
Role:
Chair
IDA
IBEC
Emeritus Industry Representative
AstraZeneca
SSPC Director
Eli Lilly
VPR UL
UCD
SSPC General Manager
Governance Committee meetings will be held on a quarterly basis.
28

Scientific Advisory Board
The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) is composed of leading international
researchers whose expertise largely represents the scientific activities
being pursued by the centre. The SAB meets meet annually and held the
first SAB meeting in September 2014.
The SAB members are as follows:
Title and Name:
Prof. Steven V. Ley
Prof. Nicholas Turner
Prof. Mark Lautens
Prof. Kevin Roberts
Prof. Gérard Coquerel
Prof. Lynne S. Taylor
Prof. James D. Litster
Role:
Cambridge University
University of Manchester
University of Toronto
University of Leeds
University of Rouen
University of Purdue
University of Purdue
Industry Advisory Board
It is imperative that the SSPC develop and maintain an industry relevant
research agenda. In order to facilitate the input of the industry partners into
the SSPC development and operation, the SSPC has formed an industry
advisory board comprised of all member companies involved in the SSPC.
Each industry party is entitled to nominate one member to the Industry
Advisory Board.
The responsibilities of the IAB are as follows:
– To provide industry feedback and input to the Centre Director,
the General Manager, the Governance Committee and the
Management Committee on SSPC strategy and operations;
– To provide information and updates to the Industry Parties on
SSPC activities and output.
– Elect a representative who will sit on the Governance Committee
to inform Industry Advisory Board of Governance Committee
decisions
The Meeting is hosted by the General Manager and is held quarterly. IAB
meetings were held in April, June, September and December 2014.
29

Management Committee
Overall responsibility for SSPC rests with
the Centre Director, Professor Kieran
Hodnett, who reports (quarterly) to the
Governance Committee on all areas of
operational activity. The Management
Committee (convened bi-monthly) support
the Director in the overall management
and oversight of SSPC activity, including
setting goals, monitoring progress,
identifying opportunities and dealing with
any issues that arise. The Management
Committee also establishes appropriate
operational systems and procedures to
ensure that:
The Management Committee’s membership comprises
the Centre Director, the General Manager, and two
representatives from each of the three research strands of
the Centre. This Committee links closely to the Scientific
and Industry Advisory Boards. Industry representatives also
attend Management Committee meetings to maintain a
close liaison between academic and industry and provide
advice and input at decision points associated with their
needs. The management committee has had three meetings
in 2013 (July, October, and December).
The management committee membership is outlined below:
Title and Name:
Role:
1 / A professional approach
to research project
management and industry
engagement is embedded
across the Centre
2 / Operational plans are aligned
with SSPC’s research agenda
3 / The long-term sustainability
and evolution of the Centre is
guaranteed.
Support Team
Prof. Kieran Hodnett
Prof. Anita Maguire
Prof. Pat Guiry
Prof. Åke Ramuson
Prof. Brian Glennon
Prof. Anne Marie Healy
Prof. Gavin Walker
Mr Jon O’Halloran
Centre Director
Strand 1 Leader
Strand 1 Leader
Strand 2 Leader
Strand 2 Leader
Strand 3 Leader
Strand 3 Leader
General Manager
The SSPC support team is hosted at the University of Limerick and comprise a General Manager, a Senior
Administrator, an Industry Liaison Officer, an Education and Outreach Officer, a Funding Programme
Manager and a Communications Officer. The SSPC has also appointed two EU Grants coordinators to work
and support the Funding Programme Manager.
General Manager
Administrator
Industrial Liason
Officer
Education, Training
& Outreach Officer
Funding Project
Manager
Communications
Officer
30

JON O’HALLORAN, MBA, BSC
General Manager
Jon reports to the Centre Director and oversees
the operations aspect of the centre, mentors
the operations team and manages the centre
budget. He is also responsible for international
engagement for of the centre and develops the
business strategy and development plan to ensure
growth and sustainability.
ROSALEEN ARCHBOLD
Administrator
Rose is PA to the General Manager. Rose is the
main contact point for all research partners to the
centre and organises SSPC meetings (executive,
technical, advisory and governance) as well as
general administrative duties.
JAMES MCNAMARA, M.ENG, B.ENG,
Industry Liaison Officer
James is the Industrial Liaison Officer who reports
to the centre General Manager. The primary
purpose of James’ role is to ensure existing
partners fully engage with the centre to benefit
both the partner and the centre to the maximum.
James works with the General Manager and the
industry contacts with a view to establishing future
target projects and to gain appropriate financial
support from the industrial partners to fund these.
James is also responsible for all reporting to SFI.
YVONNE DIGGINS, PHD.C, MA, BA,
Communications Officer
Yvonne is responsible for centre branding and
marketing, as well as maintaining coherent
communication both within and externally to
the centre, embracing all traditional methods of
communication, as well as social media. Yvonne is
responsible for maintaining the centre website as
well as existing communications web portals – BPX
and ATTLAS.
DR ABIGAIL PATTENDEN
Funding Programme Manager
Abigail is responsible for developing and
implementing the Centre’s funding strategy,
informing the centre PI’s of relevant funding
programmes applicable to the remit of SSPC and
pertinent for their research area. Abigail works with
the local UL research support services, the centre
General Manager and Lead PI to support PI’s in
reaching the centre targets relating to acquisition
of non SFI funding. Abigail also assists the general
admin in financial reporting requirements for SSPC.
DR SARAH HAYES
Education and Outreach Officer
Sarah reports to the General Manager and has
responsibility for developing and implementing
the Centre’s Education and Outreach programme.
Sarah is responsible for both educational and
industrial outreach activities, mainly to: develop the
suite of teaching and research programmes closely
aligned with industry needs through development
of a structured PhD programme; promote industrial
participation in the education and research
programmes through bespoke training developed
in collaboration with PI’s and industry; develop a
suite of bespoke SSPC public outreach activities
such as science fairs and schools programmes;
strengthen knowledge dissemination and industry
outreach activities.
ORLA KELLY
EU Grants Coordinator
Orla supports the Funding Programme Manager in
coordinating EU Grant proposals.
AISLING ARTHUR
EU Grants Coordinator
Aisling supports the Funding Programme Manager
in coordinating EU Grant proposals.
31

PUBLIC RELATIONS

PUBLIC RELATIONS
During the reporting period, in order communicate the SSPC message to wider
public audiences, the SSPC actively engaged online through the SSPC website
along with multiple forms of social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin
and YouTube.
In addition to launching the new SSPC brand and logo, which incorporates the centre’s new moleculematerial-medicine
research programme, the SSPC launched a host of branded promotional materials, such
as an online and printed brochure, story board, promo videos. SSPC promotional items can be accessed
from: www.sspc.ie/sspc_communications.
During this reporting period the SSPC had over 50 interactions with local, national and international media.
PR Highlights
Partnership Alliance of the Year Award
The SSPC was awarded the Partnership Alliance of the Year Award
at the Pharma Industry Awards 2014, in partnership with the Irish
Independent. The award recognises the SSPC for its outstanding national
and international industry-academia, inter-industry, and inter-academia
collaborations, within the pharmaceutical sector. The SSPC was also
shortlisted in the top six nominees for the Overall Pharmaceutical
Excellence Award.
34

35

SFI Research Image
of the Year Award
Minister for Skills, Research and
Innovation Damien English TD,
unveiled Dr. Anthony Maher, former
researcher at the Synthesis and Solid
State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC)
in University of Limerick and member
of Kerry’s Senior Football All Ireland
winning team, as the winner of Science
Foundation Ireland’s Research Image
of the Year competition for his picture
‘Starship Enterprise’ at the SFI Science
Summit in Athlone. His image will
appear on the front of the 2014 SFI
Annual Report.

Therapeutics.ie
In collaboration with the PMTC and NIBRT, the SSPC was the project lead on the IDA/Enterprise Ireland/
DJEI/SFI Therapeutics project, which can be access through: www.therapeutics.ie. This project was
presented by SSPC, NIBRT and PMTC to Minister Damien English at the EI Innovation Showcase event at
the Convention Centre, Dublin.
University of Limerick’s Research Impact Initiative
In conjunction with the Irish Times, the University of Limerick, the host institution for the SSPC, featured the
SSPC as one of their case studies within their Research Impact Initiative, which was launched by Minister
for Skills, Research and Innovation Damien English TD. The University of Limerick Research Impact Initiative
highlights best practice among the UL research community with the guiding principle of pursuing excellent
research that is measurable, achieved through collaboration and focused on the ultimate goal of delivering
impact.
Pic name: research_impact_initiative
Xconomy report
The SSPC co-sponsored an Xconomy report focusing on innovation in Ireland, which reviews Science
Foundation’s investments in Ireland’s national labs and research centers.
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INDUSTRY LIAISON

INDUSTRY LIAISON
The SSPC is committed to retaining its existing membership, engaging new
MNC’s in Ireland, growing links with multinational corporate divisions, and
identifying strategically complementary partners and grow the SME base. Several
initiatives are in place to achieve this strategy, including meeting all partners
quarterly at industrial advisory board meetings and technical meetings, along
series of visits to corporate divisions. Complementary to the activities with
industry other activities encompassed within industrial liaison are engagements
with other national centres in a similar research space.
Industry Liaison Highlights
Industry Membership Growth
Originally, the industrial membership of the SSPC consisted of 10 multinationals and seven small to medium
Enterprises (SMEs). During the reporting period an additional five Multinational companies have joined the
SSPC through new memberships and the Spokes BioPharma Award.
Expanding Links to the Corporate R&D Sites of the Multinational
Manufacturing Affiliates
One of the key strategies for the SSPC is to expand its links to the corporate R&D sites of the multinational
manufacturing affiliates. It is also part of the SSPC mission to promote its research activities on the
international stage. As part of this mission SSPC's Scientific Director Prof. Kieran Hodnett and General
Manager, Jon O'Halloran attended SIF's St. Patrick's Day Event in Washington D.C. in March 2014, and also
attended the International Symposium on Continuous Manufacturing in the Pharmaceutical Industry in MIT
in Boston in May. During these two events the SSPC used this opportunity to meet and visit SSPC industry
partner corporate sites.
Another activity in-line with this mission was the SSPC international business
dinner meeting, which was hosted in November at the AIChE annual
conference, in Atlanta, US. Over 50 SSPC international academic and industry
partners attended this SSPC meeting.
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SSPC presented at Janssen Global Technical Services Conference,
Montreal
The SSPC also assists industry partners in spreading the SSPC word on an international basis. In 2014,
the SSPC worked with SSPC industry partner, Dr Michael Napier, to develop the SSPC Story, which was
presented by Dr Napier at the Janssen Global Technical Services Conference in Montreal.
In 2014, SSPC industry partner, Dr Liam Tully, Director of Pfizer Process Development Centre was appointed
Adjunct Professor of Pharmaceutical Innovation at the University of Limerick, which is the host institution
for the SSPC. The Adjunct Professor position results from Dr Tully’s extensive work and continued efforts in
building collaborations between the pharmaceutical industry and academia in Ireland. The Adjunct Professor
role will ensure closer collaboration and increased input from industry in the educational development of
students and the important Research Programmes on-going in the University of Limerick in support of the
Irish pharmaceutical industry.
Technology Transfer
The generation and protection of intellectual property (IP) and
progression towards exploitation is an important source of future job
creation in Ireland. IP management is a critical component of the industry
engagement model. The technology transfer aspect of the Centre is
disseminated in both hard and soft forms. Traditional hard forms include
invention disclosures, patents filed, IP commercialisation agreements
signed, publications and spin out companies.
IN 2014, THE
SSPC FILED
TWO INVENTION
DISCLOSURES
Soft forms of knowledge transfer such as process knowhow, although
difficult to measure in terms of impact, were vital to the success of the
Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster and one of the main reasons for the
sustained enthusiasm and increased financial commitment from industry
to the Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre.
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FUNDING

FUNDING
From June 2013-December 2013, the SSPC
secured approx. €8 million in external funding.
– Prof. Kieran Hodnett was awarded a €1.5 million SFI SPOKES award, along
with €200k from SFI’s Directors Fund.
– Prof. Gavin Walker, UL, was awarded a SFI IvP worth over €1 million, along
with a EI-H2020 Coordinator support award worth €12k.
– Dr Andrew Kellett, DCU, is co-ordinating a €3.7 million (€950k associated
with SSPC) project entitled ClickGene, awarded under the H2020 - Marie
Sklodowska Curie Action - Innovative Training Network funding programme.
– Dr Nail Barron, DCU, was awarded €797k under the Marie Sklodowska Curie
Action - Innovative Training Network funding programme for the eCHO
Systems project. Dr Barron was also been awarded €265k, for the ClickGene
project (coordinated by Dr Kellett, DCU).
– Dr Sarah Hudson, UL was awarded a SFI Career Development Award worth
€480k
– Dr Simon Lawrence, UCC, was awarded a €450k European Cooperation in
Science and Technology (COST) funding for the COST Action.
– Prof. Martin Albrecht, UCD was awarded €352k for two industrial fellowships.
– Prof. Brian Glennon was awarded a NSF/SFI GROW award worth over €5k.
– Dr Declan Gavin was awarded a Researcher Mobility Fellowship worth over
€3k.
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45

EDUCATION, OUTREACH & TRAINING

EDUCATION, OUTREACH & TRAINING
The SSPC is committed to delivering significant economic and societal impact,
as well as research excellence, aligned with national strategic goals. The SSPC is
dedicated to developing the next generation of scientists through our education,
outreach and training programme.
Education
The SSPC supports 60 supported doctoral students. The SSPC structured PhD programme incorporates
both structured and traditional research elements. The structured element is designed to be both flexible
and adaptable, in order to meet the ever-changing requirements of the sector. The key facets of the
structured element are credited assessment-based generic and transferrable skills and core disciplinespecific
modules. In addition, students are also required to develop and keep a Research and Professional
Development Plan with their doctoral supervisory team. As employability is at the core of the student
experience, industrial placement is a key feature of our approach. In July 2014, the first cohort of SSPC PhD
candidates attended the first SSPC Structured PhD Summer School in Generic and Transferrable Skills.
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Training
The SSPC training programme is developed upon the existing suite of bespoke in-company training
programmes that were established under the auspices of the Solid State Pharmaceutical Cluster (2007-
2013). The training programme commenced in January 2014 and hosted five training workshops SSPC/
UL/NUIG/Roche Masterclass in Process Development and Scale-up; Masterclass in Synthetic Organic
Chemistry; SFI SMART FUTURES Training; Dynochem for SSPC Chemists; and CCDC Workshop for SSPC
Researchers.
Outreach
The SSPC’s bespoke outreach strategy is
aligned with Science Foundation Ireland’s
overall outreach and public engagement
strategy for research centres. The programme
engages with, and communicates SSPC
research to, pupils, parents, teachers and the
general public. Outreach programmes are
based upon teacher and scientist informed
curriculum materials, which develop cutting
edge activities suitable and appropriate to
pupils and curricula at differing stages of the
Irish schools system. During the reporting
period, SSPC have had over 3,000 interactions
with school pupils and teachers and approx.
20,000 members of the general public to
engage and promote SSPC research.
Outreach Highlights
SSPC National Crystal Growing
Competition
To celebrate the year 2014 being the International
Year of Crystallography, the Synthesis and Solid
State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC) launched a
national crystal growing competition in September
2014, which was open to primary and post-primary
students in Ireland.
The aim of the SSPC National Crystal Growing
Competition was to enable students to grow their
own crystals, and to increase students’ awareness
and understanding of the importance of crystals in
our lives today.
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SSPC Chemical Demonstrations Workshop
Second level science teachers and educators from across Ireland attended the SSPC Annual Chemistry
Demonstration Workshop on engaging science. The residential workshop, hosted at the Synthesis and
Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC) headquarters at the University of Limerick, is designed to upskill
and promote engaging science amongst secondary school science teachers and educators in Ireland. The
workshop provides participants with the skills to promote problem and inquiry-based learning within the
classroom, and to conduct over 40 engaging and interactive science demonstrations, which are linked to
real world science applications.
2014 Science Week
In support of National Science Week 2014, in conjunction with the Celebrate Science SFI funded initiative, the
SSPC hosted multiple events, such as a Science Magic Show, Science Busking, a Crystal Growing Workshop
and a Pub Science event.
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53

SSPC PARTNERS
BUILDING A STRONG PHARMACEUTICAL COMMUNITY
AND A PHARMA-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT IN IRELAND
Research Performing Organisations
Industry Partners
International Academic Collaborators

www.sspc.ie