CRANN Signs Partnership Agreement with Merck Millipore on Research Programmes Worth Over €130,000

Sep 22, 2011

CRANN, the Science Foundation Ireland funded nanoscience research institute based at Trinity College Dublin, has today announced a new commercial partnership worth over €130,000 with Merck Millipore, a biotech and pharmaceutical company based in Cork.

As part of the research programmes, CRANN will assist Merck Millipore to further develop the nanostructures of their products’ artificial membranes, that are widely used for medical and diagnostic devices, and to deliver new products with improved membrane performances. Artificial membranes are used in a wide array of products such as lab filtration devices, antibody screening kits and blood typing products.

Minister Sean Sherlock with Liz Henderson, Membrane Operations Manager, Merck Millipore and Prof John Boland, Director of CRANN.

Funded by Enterprise Ireland, the research partnership reflects CRANN’s reputation as a leading nanoscience centre, with the infrastructure and expertise to attract partnerships with multinational companies based in Ireland.

Welcoming the announcement, Sean Sherlock TD, Minister of State for Research & Innovation at the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation said:  “The partnership between Merck Millipore and CRANN illustrates how Ireland’s policy of innovation investment is delivering real results.  In this case, an Irish third level institution is helping an industry leader develop products and services for the future.  Funding is being provided by my Department, delivered through the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme. This particular partnership between Merck Millipore and CRANN is a clear illustration of how the research community is acting as an innovation engine for companies based in Ireland.  The outcome of research partnerships such as these will be to make Ireland a more attractive location for leading technology enterprises and of course will ultimately improve employment generation.  Initiatives such as these will play a vital role in Ireland’s economic recovery.

The quality of our scientific research speaks for itself with Ireland now ranked 8th globally for materials science research. The research partnership reflects CRANN’s reputation as a leading nanoscience centre, with the infrastructure and expertise to attract partnerships with multinational companies based in Ireland.”

Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, Executive Director of CRANN said: “This collaborative research programme with Merck Millipore underlines the strength of our industry engagement programme and clearly demonstrates how academic partnerships with industry provide real and immediate benefits for companies and the economy.  By utilising our internationally leading infrastructure, coupled with the expertise of our leading researchers, at Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork, CRANN provides new skills and expertise to industry which enhances our partner companies’ competitiveness.”

Chris Ross, Site Director from Merck Millipore, commenting on his company’s collaboration with CRANN said: “This collaborative research programme with CRANN will strengthen our capabilities in creating new material innovations and enhance our manufacturing processes and capabilities in Cork.”

CRANN’s collaborations with Merck Millipore came about through interaction with Professor Michael Morris, a CRANN Principal Investigator and professor at University College Cork’s Department of Chemistry. The partnership was established through the Enterprise Ireland funded Innovation Partnership programme,  which is designed to connect industry with publicly funded research centres to develop new and improved products, processes and services.

About CRANN:
CRANN is the leading institute for nanoscience research in Ireland, funded by SFI. CRANN is comprised of a team of over 300 researchers, led by 18 Principal Investigators (PIs), each of whom is an internationally recognised expert in their field of research. It is interdisciplinary working in partnership with the Schools of Physics, Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Medicine and Engineering based at Trinity College Dublin as well as the School of Chemistry at University College Cork. Nanotechnology underpins many key sectors of the Irish economy – ICT, pharmaceuticals and medical devices and it is estimated it contributes to 10% of our national exports and is linked to over 120,000 jobs in Ireland.