Conversations with Our Network – NIBRT

In this edition of Conversations with Our Network series, we speak with Dr Fiona Killard-Lynch, Chief Scientific Officer and Director of Research & Innovation at NIBRT, Ireland’s National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training and one of the newest members of the EIT Health Ireland–UK network.

Based in Dublin, NIBRT is a global centre of excellence supporting the biopharmaceutical sector through cutting-edge research, industry-focused training, and specialised infrastructure that mirrors real-world manufacturing environments. As CSO, Fiona leads the development of NIBRT’s research strategy, championing collaborative innovation across academic, industry and clinical partners.

In this interview, Fiona unpacks how research at NIBRT transcends the lab and materialises into tangible impact, such as through their Concept Facility, which accelerates early-stage biotherapy into manufacturing-readiness. She also highlights emerging trends in biopharma innovation, including advanced cell and gene therapies, sustainability with Green Lab Certification, and digitalisation through AI and automation.

Read on…

Q: Could you tell us about your background and what first sparked your interest in science and research?

I have always been fascinated by medicine and science, especially how innovation can solve real-world problems. When I was about 8 or 9 years old, I even set up a chemistry lab in my attic! That curiosity led me to study analytical science, a core focus area for biopharma manufacturing.

Over time, as my career progressed, I realised that what I was most passionate about wasn’t just the science itself, but also the collaborations and partnerships that bring science to life. I enjoyed getting out of the lab, talking to people and understanding how science can be translated into real-world impact.

That led me to take on roles that combined scientific work with leadership and mentoring. Joining NIBRT was a natural next step because it’s an environment where cutting-edge science meets real-world industry needs.

I also serve on the board of Ireland’s Higher Education Authority, contributing to national policy and strategy, which helps me bring both strategic and scientific perspectives to my work.

Q: What is unique about NIBRT’s approach?

What makes NIBRT unique and something I haven’t seen replicated elsewhere, even globally, is the integration of cutting-edge research with workforce training, all under one roof.

You can see the impact of this model in both our research outputs and workforce development. But for me personally, what really drew me to NIBRT was the team. There’s a strong collaborative spirit and a future-focused approach embedded across everything we do.

We work closely with a wide range of global industry partners and our academic collaborations are reflected in our publications and partnerships. We also engage with national policymakers and now, with our recent membership in EIT Health, we are strengthening those collaborations across Europe.

Q: How does NIBRT support the translation of research into real-world impact?

At NIBRT, we have created an environment that intentionally supports both ends of the research spectrum. On one hand, we are deeply committed to fundamental, curiosity-driven research. Our researchers work on complex bioprocessing challenges, including cell engineering, advanced analytics, and process modelling.

On the other hand, we have designed our approach to ensure those insights are translated into practical, industry-ready solutions. This happens through close collaboration with our industry, clinical and academic partners.

A powerful example of how we bridge these two worlds is our CONCEPT facility. It was designed specifically to address a gap we often see in innovation where promising therapies like cell and gene therapies or RNA-based treatments are developed in academic or clinical settings but fail to progress due to a lack of scalable manufacturing pathways.

What Concept does is bridge that gap. It works hand-in-hand with partners, whether academic, clinical, or commercial, to take early-stage discoveries and evaluate their potential for scalable, real-world manufacturing. It’s about taking those fundamental ideas and helping them move closer to patient impact.

As an open-access research institute, this facility is available to our partners across EIT Health.

Q: What are some of the most exciting developments in biopharma manufacturing right now?

The breakthroughs in cell and gene therapy and RNA medicines are truly transformative. Alongside that, the biopharma sector is undergoing rapid change in manufacturing processes, requiring new approaches.

Sustainability is also a big focus. We have begun rolling out My Green Lab Certification at NIBRT, not as a tick-box exercise, but as a strategic enabler. And of course, digitalisation is reshaping the industry. AI, automation, and digital analytics are changing how we design, scale, and control processes.

So across these three areas: next-generation therapeutics, sustainability, and digitalisation, we see massive opportunity, and we are positioning ourselves and our partners to lead and adapt in this evolving landscape.

Q: What value does NIBRT see in being part of the EIT Health network?

Joining the EIT Health network enables us to connect our world-class research, clinical insight, and deep industry knowledge with other leading organisations across Europe.

NIBRT is an open research institute. That’s a message we want to reinforce: we are open to the world, and we actively welcome collaboration. As a national institute, we are uniquely positioned to act as a connector – not only between Ireland and the rest of Europe, but also between academia, industry, policymakers, and patient communities.

We are excited to contribute our deep scientific understanding and practical, industry-ready applications to the EIT Health ecosystem.

Q: What are the biggest challenges and opportunities in aligning research with national and EU health priorities?

The pace of innovation is extraordinary, but regulation and policy often struggle to keep up. Only by bringing all stakeholders together can we ensure that scientific advances are translated efficiently and effectively to benefit patients. Our membership in EIT Health strengthens this collaborative ecosystem and allows us to actively contribute to shaping both European and national strategies, including the evolving EU Biotech Act and Ireland’s own Life Sciences Strategy.

A critical priority within this alignment is ensuring equitable access to emerging therapies. Ireland, in many ways, is well positioned to play a bridging role here. As a nation, we have a strong commitment to social equity, and we aim to reflect that in our research, training, and policy engagement.

On the global front, NIBRT is also deepening its international partnerships. Our most recent strategic collaboration is with the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, where we are working to help build vaccine manufacturing capacity in Africa. NIBRT is serving as a strategic training partner to help scale up local expertise and infrastructure.

Q: Is there any message you would like to leave with our readers?

NIBRT is open for collaboration. We have deep expertise in research and training, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a genuine desire to be a partner in European innovation. Through our Concept Facility and global partnerships, we are here for Europe.

Click here to learn more about NIBRT.

Interested in joining the EIT Health network? Find out more here.