Ireland's National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) and Canada's Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen their existing partnership and advance biomanufacturing workforce development internationally. The agreement has direct implications for biopharma manufacturing talent pipelines across both countries and the broader global network of NIBRT-affiliated training centres.

As reported by Silicon Republic, the MOU was recognised in the joint statement on advancing the Canada-Ireland Partnership, issued by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, TD and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney during the latter's bilateral visit to Ireland.

In the joint statement, both leaders committed to supporting biomanufacturing workforce development by building on and extending the existing partnership between CASTL and NIBRT, enabling enhanced joint programming, shared expertise through a global network of NIBRT-affiliated training centres, and alignment of biomanufacturing training initiatives.

Darrín Morrissey, CEO of NIBRT, said: "NIBRT is delighted to extend its collaboration with CASTL and to continue supporting the advancement of biomanufacturing training through our global network of affiliated centres. Together, we are helping align training initiatives with industry needs and supporting the next generation of global talent for the biopharma sector."

Penny Walsh, CEO of CASTL, said: "CASTL is proud to continue building on our partnership with NIBRT, whose global leadership in biomanufacturing training has helped shape best-in-class workforce development models around the world. This MOU will help strengthen training capacity, expand opportunities for collaboration, and support the development of the skilled workforce needed to grow Canada's biomanufacturing sector."

The MOU builds on an existing relationship between the two organisations and formalises a shared commitment to aligning training standards and expanding access to biomanufacturing education across both countries.

The announcement follows NIBRT's selection by the World Health Organisation as its Regional Training Centre for Biomanufacturing for Europe, making it one of seven such centres forming part of the WHO's Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative. That initiative was established in 2023 to address critical skills gaps in biomanufacturing supply chains and support countries in building sustainable local production capacity, particularly for medicines and healthcare technologies.

See the full report on the NIBRT and CASTL partnership and what it means for biomanufacturing talent development.