What’s It About
If you want to work at the forefront of scientific discovery, Biopharma is a thriving industry that offers unrivalled opportunities to positively impact patient’s lives.
Working in Biopharma you would be involved in developing or manufacturing many of the lifesaving drugs and vaccines which help to prolong or transform patient’s lives. From childhood injections to the millions of Covid-19 vaccines that are manufactured in Ireland, the industry has been pivotal in preventing disease and saving lives. Products to treat illnesses such cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia have made remarkable strides in prolonging and enhancing the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.
You may be interested in working on groundbreaking products such as cell and gene therapies. The industry is highly regulated and to ensure efficacy, consistency and safety, products are extensively tested at each stage of the production process. It can take many years of research and development and huge financial investment until a new product is licenced for sale. Specialist and complex immunotherapy treatments such as CAR T-cell therapy for certain blood cancers would not be possible without significant research & development.
Biopharma in Ireland
Ireland is the world’s third largest exporter of pharmaceuticals. It is recognised as a global leader in Biopharma. Over ninety pharmaceutical companies operate here including Novartis, AbbVie, Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi, Lilly, AstraZeneca, MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Takeda. In this sector you will work in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities using cutting edge technology. Biopharmaceuticals also known as Biologics are distinguished from other medicines in that they are purified from living culture systems or blood. They are produced by a biological rather than a chemical process and known as large molecular drugs. These are then used in vaccines and monoclonal antibodies to name just two of the hundreds of products which are manufactured in this way. Other drugs are chemically synthesized, known as small molecule drugs, and often taken as a pill, such as an antihistamine.
WuXi Biologics, based in Ireland, has one of the largest single-use bioreactor capacities of its kind globally. Single use bioreactors are containers in which cells are grown to produce biological products such as monoclonal antibodies. These improve efficiency and reduce the consumption of water and energy. These are important issues for all manufacturing companies to meet their sustainability goals and reduce their environmental impact.
Career Paths
While most positions require a third level qualification there are opportunities to complete aLaboratory Apprenticeship which is open to school leavers or those who wish to upskill or retrain. The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research & Training also offers many courses at Certificate and master’s Level, or short term courses for those working in the industry who wish to upskill.
Nature of the Work
Biopharmaceutical Scientists are highly sought after, and their products touch every area of our lives. Opportunities exist in research & development, data analytics, manufacturing, management, production, regulatory affairs, risk & compliance, bioprocess engineering, quality control, product development, clinical trials or working as a laboratory analyst or in the MedTech sector.
The research, mathematical, team working, presentation and problem-solving skills you will gain from studying in this area are highly transferable and prized by a wide range of employers. You may be interested in applying your skills to other career areas such as policy making, education, scientific journalism, working in the legal field as a patent attorney or in technical sales and marketing.
Biomedical Scientists also work in the Biopharma Sector.
Biomedical Scientists study the human body and the science of health and disease. Many biomedical scientists go on to work in hospital laboratories on completion of a postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Laboratory Placement. They work at the heart of the health system using cutting edge technology to diagnose and analyse fluid & tissue samples to assess the effectiveness of treatments. Others work in a diverse range of industries including Research & Academia, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies, Diagnostics, Health sciences and the thriving MedTech sector. Further postgraduate qualifications may be required for some positions and many complete Masters or PhD qualifications in areas such biotechnology, molecular & cell biology, cancer, genetics, regenerative medicine, and neuroscience. Further information on Biomedical Science is available here.