The SSPC: Leading the way for next-generation medicines manufacture

The Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre (SSPC), a global hub of pharmaceutical process innovation and advanced manufacturing, is funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and Industry, and represents a unique collaboration between 22 industry partners, nine research performing organisations and 12 international academic collaborators (Figure 1; page 34). It is a €42 million state-industry investment, which supports a globally-leading research team of 38 investigators, 34 post-doctoral researchers and 60 PhD candidates. As the largest research collaboration in Ireland and one of the largest globally within the pharmaceutical area, the SSPC transcends company and academic boundaries (Figure 2; page 34). Its role is to link experienced scientists and engineers in academia and the pharmaceutical industry, to address critical research challenges and to deliver industry-relevant solutions, which result in job growth and retention within the pharmaceutical industry.