Jacobs for new bioprocess plant in Ireland

Pasadena, California -- Irish bio-processing research and educational institute the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) has awarded Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. a contract to provide an integrated design team to develop a new facility in Dublin.

NIBRT was awarded funding of $100 million in a competitive bid funded by Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Ireland. The facility will enable biopharma firms to obtain hands-on competency based training programmes and will include pilot-scale and research laboratories and lecture and administrative facilities.

From its Dublin office, Jacobs will perform project management; architectural design; and civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical services. Jacobs is one of three leading contractors in Ireland that were selected to execute the project.

NIBRT researches all aspects of bio-processing to better understand mechanistically the bio-production process, enabling process improvements and process monitoring to ensure product quality. This is achieved through its own research staff and in collaboration with University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, and the Institute of Technology Sligo.

Commenting on the appointment of Jacobs to this project, NIBRT's CEO Maurice Treacy said, "We are excited to work with Jacobs on the design and development of this state-of-the-art showcase training and research bio-processing facility in Ireland that will enable us to provide the human capital skills needed to grow this industrial sector in Ireland."