The Minister for Technology and Innovation, Conor Lenihan TD, today launched a new Irish guide aimed at helping firms in the life science sector to partner with college researchers in the creation of ‘smart’ jobs.

The Enterprise Ireland publication, The Irish Life Sciences Research Guide (pdf), is a collation of the life science research capability in our third-level institutions. It aims to match industries with research experts relevant to their needs. Lenihan said: "In line with the Government’s 'smart' economy plan we want to maximise opportunities for commercialisation of academic research activity and give entrepreneurs here a competitive edge to create new jobs for tomorrow’s workers.

"We want industry and academia working together in turning research into products and services for the global marketplace. The Irish research landscape has been transformed over the past decade. Increased investment in research has helped attract leading researchers to our universities, enabled the training of highly skilled graduates and installed world-class facilities for cutting-edge research."

The guide is categorised into sections based on six technology areas that are key to the development of the life science sector. The areas covered include; Clinical Research & IT for Health, Diagnostics, Medical Technologies, Pharma Bio, Animal Health and Chemicals.

It lists applied researchers and profiles facilities that are active in these technology areas and includes the points of contact for accessing expertise in each research institution. It will provide life sciences businesses with information on how to identify and engage with the research expertise that is most relevant to grow their businesses.

Dr Keith O’Neill, Head of Lifescience & Food Commercialisation at Enterprise Ireland, said: “As part of the wider State investment in research and innovation over the past number of years, Enterprise Ireland has made a significant investment in strengthening the Irish technology transfer system.

"There are now skilled teams of technology transfer professionals in place, throughout the higher education system, to facilitate access to new technologies and innovations."