CPL News - Latest

  • Irish in zero-gravity cancer experiment

    Dec
    03

    CRANN, (The Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices) at Trinity College, Dublin will be the first Irish based research centre to be included on a zero-gravity flight conducted by the European State Agency (ESA).

    Each year, the ESA invites a small number of international scientists to take part in once-off zero gravity, or parabolic flights.

    The prestigious invitation will allow Dr. Despina Bazou of CRANN to conduct experiments on the behaviour of cancer cells and develop a new understanding of how cells in the bloodstream react to one another.

    The ESA carries out three microgravity flights a year, one being solely for students and the other two for researchers. Microgravity, a condition when there is very little gravitational force, only occurs for around 20 seconds and allowing the scientist 12 minutes of weightlessness over the day. Dr. Bazou will be conducting experiments over three days in the area of Nanobiology which is currently being researched at CRANN in Dublin.

    Diarmuid O'Brien of CRANN said, 'We are delighted that CRANN was selected for this very prestigious research opportunity. CRANN's place on the flight is recognition of Ireland's growing expertise in Nanoscience. The research which will be conducted by Dr. Bazou will help us to explore the area of nanobiology further and will hopefully lead us to a better understanding of cancer."

    Dr Despina Bazou said, "I am very excited by this opportunity which came about when I was presenting at the International Congress on Ultrasonics 2009 in Chilli. I hope that the unique conditions presented by the parabolic flight will help me further my research into how cancer travels through the body."

    Earlier in the year, data compiled by Thomson Reuters showed that Ireland was one of the top ranked countries in the world for the quality of its nanoscience research. The results ranked Ireland 8thin the world, well ahead of larger countries such as France, Canada and Australia. The data also revealed that many of Ireland's top-ranked research papers were produced by CRANN.

    Source: www.businessworld.ie
    Date: 3rd December 2010

  • In search of the perfect formula

    Nov
    11

    PHARMACEUTICALS: The pharma sector is hugely important to Ireland - many of the top US pharma businesses are based here and it is the top exporter - but does it have a future if no block-buster drug is developed? 

    IF INNOVATION IS king, then the pharmaceutical sector is one of the kingmakers. It boasts cutting-edge scientific discoveries, global economic clout and a societal role that leaves many other sectors in the shade. Society spends considerable time and energy ensuring that people live better quality lives for longer – even if no one has quite figured out how we are going to pay for it.

    Whether it is to find breakthrough treatments for distressing childhood afflictions, addressing some of the most common terminal ailments in adult life or ensuring we retain our mental and physical faculties as we age, there is huge demand to develop new or improved therapies.

    In terms of economics and innovation, the pharma sector invests massively in discovering new drugs or adapting existing ones to new conditions in order to meet this demand.

    The costs are high, even more so in recent years when the emphasis has moved to biopharma in an attempt to address conditions previously resistant to treatment, especially in the areas of neurology and oncology.

    As with all innovation, developing new drugs carries risk. Effective treatments can all too often have adverse side effects. Rigorous testing is required even before human trials can begin.

    Eventual human trials are themselves monitored intensely under the scrutiny of regulators such as the Food and Drug Administration in the US and the European Medicines Agency.

    Safety is the primary issue, even ahead of efficacy. A drug that only marginally improves outcomes for a particular condition may get a hearing from regulators, especially if it is shown to have fewer or less damaging side effects than therapies already on the market. A drug that fails to prove it is safe is doomed regardless of efficacy.

    Of course, all drugs have side effects and some element of risk remains. Then regulators assess the risk-reward balance.

    Elan’s Tysabri, for instance, was considered to have such potential for people suffering from multiple sclerosis that it was returned to the market even after it emerged that a small number of people could contract a potentially fatal brain disease. Its use has accelerated study of the brain condition which, as a result, is now fatal less often fatal. It is now also better understood.

    For all these reasons, pharma is largely held in high regard. New breakthroughs are hailed both by patients and by investors, who know the rewards for success can be high.

    Blockbuster drugs can yield billions of dollars. Pfizer’s cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor – still the world’s top selling prescription drug despite coming close to the expiry of its patent – had sales of $13.3 billion (€9.5 billion) worldwide last year. Healthcare consultancy IMS says global pharmaceutical sales topped $837 billion in 2009. By next year, it forecasts this will rise to $880 billion.

    For all its feelgood image, pharmaceutical groups are businesses. Their products may help to save lives but profit is the ultimate motive.

    There’s nothing wrong in that. Without the prospect of reward, investors in these companies – many of them publicly listed – would have no incentive to finance the initial research and development stages. Not all research-based companies succeed and therefore the risk premium required is higher than it might be for more stable businesses.

    Time magazine reported in 2004 that the net return for top pharma companies in the Fortune 500 – at 17 per cent – ranked way above that of other sectors, where the average was about 3 per cent.

    Companies claim the cost of new drugs to the consumer is necessarily high because research and development is so expensive. However, marketing is also a key component of the cost base. In fact, an analysis of the top pharma firms throws up some surprising outcomes. Filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the US show that sales of prescription drugs at Pfizer, the world’s largest pharma group, were $45.4 billion last year. Research and development costs, which are broken out by companies in their annual financial statements, came to $7.85 billion.

    Assessing marketing costs is not so easy as companies do not break these out in detail. However, they are obliged to file figures for the cost of selling, general and administrative functions (SGA). Pfizer says in its annual filing that this category (which it calls sales, information and administration – SIA) accounts for “marketing, advertising, shipping, handling, IT and associated employee compensation”. Marketing and advertising in the broad sense are considered by the industry to be the main components of this category. In Pfizer’s case, last year, SIA accounted for costs of $14.88 billion.

    To put it in context, this amounts to just shy of 30 per cent of revenue compared to RD costs of below 16 per cent.

    Running through 2009 filings for other top firms such as Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis, Glaxosmithkline, Roche, AstraZeneca, Merck, Johnson Johnson and Eli Lilly, the picture is broadly the same. The spend on RD at big pharma tends to be about 50-60 per cent lower than on marketing and associated costs.

    To be fair, the picture is not uniform. Smaller, earlier stage pharma businesses tend to have a higher ratio of RD costs to SGA expenses.

    Even Elan, which has its own blockbuster drug in Tysabri, reported RD costs of $293.6 million, a figure that exceeded its SGA of $268.2 million, in its pursuit of a therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.

    Another factor skewing the figures is the modern design of the top end of the pharma market. The major pharma companies have been struggling to deliver from their research pipeline. The imminent expiry of patents on key drugs that have made them into behemoths is forcing them to find replacement income quickly. For many, the chosen path is by acquisition.

    Consolidation has been a watchword in the sector over the past couple of years – and not just involving smaller companies. In 2009, according to IMS, there were 29 mergers or acquisitions in the sector worth a total of $126.5 billion. This compares with 48 deals the previous year with a value of $51.1 billion.

    Among the megadeals of recent times are Pfizer’s purchase of Wyeth – a major player in its own right – Schering-Plough’s reverse merger with Merck and Swiss group Roche’s move for Genentech.

    Rather than developing their own pipeline, they are acquiring companies that have successfully developed new therapies or show good prospects of doing so. While this will reduce the RD expenditure of big companies, they will still have the burden of marketing and selling the drugs.

    Companies are also looking to new markets for existing drugs, which carries its own costs. IMS data indicates that the areas of highest growth last year in the sector were Asia, Africa and Australia which together saw a 15 per cent increase in sales and Latin America, where sales increased by 12.7 per cent.

    The $154 billion market in these two regions is still a long way shy of the $264 billion pharma sector sales in Europe to say nothing of the $324 billion market for prescription drugs in North America but growth in these latter regions is a more sedate 7 per cent and 1.9 per cent respectively.

    Selling into emerging markets brings its own challenges and big pharma has been criticised for curtailing access to medicines in the developing world. The Access to Medicine Foundation says there has been much progress in improving access to drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests in some of the world’s poorest countries. There have also been advances in funding mechanisms with pharma showing “increasing attention to both the need and the business opportunities” in these regions.

    However, it warns that neglected tropical diseases continue to cause a “significant health burden” and points to “limited” research to develop treatments.

    Its 2010 index, ranking the performance of 20 big pharma companies alongside seven of the largest generic firms, hails Glaxosmith-Kline as the most proactive in providing access to medicine in these countries, followed by Merck, Novartis and Gilead Sciences.

    European firms are still seen as more responsive to the needs of the developing world but US companies are catching up, with Pfizer and Gilead both improving their performance markedly in recent years, according to the foundation.

    For Ireland, pharmaceuticals is our most important sector in terms of exports. Apart from Elan, Irish-based Warner Chilcott and Shire are players on the international stage and companies such as Amarin and Merrion Pharma are active at the development stage.

    With new drugs costing as much as $1 billion to develop, according to industry consultants Bain, can we really back ourselves as innovators in the sector, where the number of truly new drugs globally in any given year is less than 30? Or are we more likely to succeed in niche markets, such as drug delivery where we have a solid track record, or reformulating old drugs for new therapies?

    The first multinationals into Ireland saw it largely as a source of cheap labour for basic bulk ingredient manufacture, with an attractive corporation tax regime. Much has changed in the intervening years.

    Ireland is now the European base for many of the top US pharma businesses and, as our cost competitiveness has been eroded to be offset by our growing experience with the sector, Irish units of multinationals are involved in more valueadded work.

    Dave Shanahan, the head of life sciences at IDA Ireland, sees plenty of opportunity for Ireland across the range of pharma – in both traditional small molecule and the more recent large molecule biologics – and sees no reason why Ireland cannot continue to battle for investment on many fronts.

    “Ireland is seen as a world leader in several areas of small molecule development,” he says, though he cautions that there is a need for greater co-operation between institutions, academic and otherwise, across the State if we are to fulfil our potential. “If we invest in the right areas, we can suck in a lot more activity than we have had to date,” he says.

    He points out that a lot of innovation is iterative. “Most of this will not happen in a big bang fashion; it will be step by step.

    “We need to push for new product development mandates, “ he says, arguing that the key is to leverage our expertise and track record to develop new drugs for the clinical trial stage. Being in at the beginning places the State in a better position to fight for the eventual production of drugs that make it successfully through to market.

    Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/innovation/2010/1029/1224281901237.html
    Date: 11.11.2010

  • Trial Of Brain Tumour Vaccine Set To Start

    Oct
    19

    A trial of a groundbreaking brain tumour vaccine designed to kick-start the body's immune system response is being launched in the UK.

    The vaccine - IMA950 - has been developed to fight glioblastoma, one of the most common forms of brain cancer.

    The two-year trial is being paid for by Cancer Research Technology, the funding arm of Cancer Research UK and will be tested on up to 45 newly diagnosed patients, initially at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow.

    IMA950 will work by directing and boosting the body's immune system to allow it to fight the cancer.

    It will be used in conjunction with standard treatments of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

    Sky News' health correspondent Thomas Moore says: "We've got used to vaccines that prevent diseases - including some cancers. But this is a treatment vaccine.

    "Cancer normally evades the immune system. But this vaccine flags up the tumour as a threat, kick-starting an immune response.

    "It's a very exciting strategy that is likely to become increasingly common."

    The vaccine contains 11 peptides - strings of amino acids - that are found on the surface of glioblastoma tumours but not on the surface of healthy cells.

    The peptides are "trained" to recognise cancer cells as unhealthy cells - and then to target and destroy them.

    Cancer Research's Dr Ian Walker told Sky News Online: "This is a novel therapy because each peptide has a potential to cause an immune response. Usually, a vaccine will have one peptide, but this gives us 11 different possibilities or chances."

    Dr Walker says the charity is pleased to be funding the initiative because potential treatments may be too expensive for traditional drug companies to try, or continue.

    "We have an arrangement with the manufacturer which gives them an option to exercise their right to continue with the research if it is proving worthwhile.

    "There is a time frame involved and, if they decide not to, then the right comes back to us.

    "This means that there is less chance of potential treatments being marginalised - if we think a trial is worth continuing with, we will ensure the funding is there so the potential cure for a cancer will not be overlooked."

    More than 2,000 glioblastoma tumours are diagnosed in Britain each year.

    The prognosis for newly diagnosed patients is very poor, with survival often measured in months.

    Source: www.skynews.co.uk
    Date: 19.10.2010

  • Elanco Confirms its long term Commitment to Sligo

    Oct
    18

    Planned Investment in Sligo Centre of Excellence secures 120 job

    The economy in the North West has received a welcome boost with the confirmation by Elanco Animal Health of its long-term commitment to its recently acquired Animal Vaccine plant in Sligo.  The announcement of ongoing investment and the commensurate opportunities this will create for the existing work force in Sligo coincided with today’s visit (Friday October 15th) by Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Food , Mr. Brendan Smith T.D., to the Sligo facility. He was met by Dr Pat Glynn, Sligo Site Manager and Dr Stephen Chu, Elanco’s distinguished research fellow. The visit included a tour of the vaccine facility and a meeting with members of the Site Leadership Team.

    Doctors Glynn and Chu stressed to Minister Smith the importance of innovative veterinary vaccines and Elanco’s intention to become a major player in the development and manufacture of such vaccines.   Dr Chu added, “The EU is a strategically important region for Elanco investment and growth and our Sligo plant is critical to Elanco's vaccine business development in the region.  The Sligo workforce has outstanding qualities and a depth of experience in vaccine manufacture and is dedicated to providing the best service to the animal health industry in Ireland and rest of EU for many years to come”.

    Dr Chu noted that we live in a world where the relatively free movement of livestock is an everyday occurrence.  The risk of disease spread, therefore, remains extremely high. Europe’s experience with Bluetongue virus and Ireland’s with Foot & Mouth over recent years is a case in point. The reality is that diseases do not respect borders.

    He continued:  “Elanco has also set up a new vaccine research and development (R&D) team incorporating some of the best talent in the business with excellent track records in vaccine innovation and registrations in the EU and other parts of the world. This team will provide full support to our Sligo plant in the areas of product innovation and new product introductions.  Additionally this R&D team will seek opportunities to collaborate with partners in Ireland”.

    Dr Chu concluded:  “Elanco is committed to the long-term success of the Sligo plant and the growth of our vaccine business in the EU.”

    Minister Brendan Smith highlighted the importance of the ongoing investment to the region:  “The planned investment in this site will represent a welcome additional injection into the economy of the Sligo and the broader North West Region.  It will also, I am sure, bring additional confidence for your 120 employees here that they can build their highly-specialised careers in a facility which, through new technology and up-skilling, will keep them at the cutting edge of animal vaccine production in international terms. From the Irish Government’s perspective, the high end, graduate jobs here fit very well into our vision for the Irish economy in the years ahead,” he explained

    The Elanco vaccine facility in Sligo is an IDA supported initiative. Commenting on the company’s commitment to maintain the plant as a Centre of Excellence for vaccine manufacture, IDA’s Chief Executive, Barry O’Leary, highlighted the significance of this investment for the North West region.

    “The planned investment in this facility secures the 120 jobs at Elanco’s plant in Sligo and strengthens its strategic importance within the parent company, Eli Lilly.  Other Lilly investments in Ireland include its 100 person European Financial Services Centre announced in July and the €400m investment made at its Biopharmaceutical facility in Kinsale bringing total headcount in Lilly in Ireland to over 600. It demonstrates that Ireland continues to attract manufacturing activities from leading global companies and assists IDA Ireland to promote the North-West region for further Life Science investments.” 

    About Elanco
    Elanco is a global innovation-driven company that develops and markets products to improve animal health and food animal production in more than 75 countries. Elanco employs more than 2,300 people worldwide, with offices in more than 40 countries, and is a division of Eli Lilly and Company, a leading global pharmaceutical corporation. Additional information about Elanco is available at www.elanco.com

    Source: www.idaireland.ie

    Date: Friday 15th October 2010

  • 250 new healthcare jobs for Ballina

    Oct
    18

    Two hundred and fifty new jobs are to be provided in Co Mayo by a US owned healthcare firm.

    They are to be created in Ballina by the Hollister company.

    The company already has a plant in the town, where it employs more than 300 people, and it now plans to spend 65m euro in an expansion programme there which will see the new jobs created.

    The expansion will see an increase in the production of ostomy and continence care product ranges at the plant.

    The new jobs are to be announced today by enterprise minister Batt O'Keeffe.

    Two hundred jobs will also be created in the construction phase of the expansion.

    Source: www.businessworld.ie

    Date: Monday, October 18 08:03:41

  • Cpl Science holding Open Day in Dublin / Tipp

    Oct
    11

     

    Cpl Science Recruitment is hosting an Open Day for Chemists
    in Dublin and Tipperary in October

     

    These open days are specifically for:

    • Analytical Development Chemists
    • QC Chemists
    • Formulation Chemists
    • Process Development Chemists
    • Product Development Chemists
    • NPI Chemists
    • Validation Chemists

    Cpl Science Recruitment currently have vacancies in Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Waterford, Tipperary, Cork and Sligo and recruit throughout Ireland and we want to meet you!

    Bring your CV along on the day and have a chat with one of the experienced science recruitment consultants on hand.

    If you can’t make it, or want to register in advance, please email: scienceopenday@cpl.ie

    Dublin:

    Date: Saturday 16th October
    Venue: Alexander Hotel, Fenian Street (off Merrion Square), D2
    Time: 10am until 2pm
    Map: http://www.ocallaghanhotels.com/dublinmain/Alexander/directions/map.aspx

     

    Tipperary South:

    Date: Saturday 23rd October
    Venue: Clonmel Park Hotel, just off the M8
    Time: 10am until 2pm
    Map: http://www.clonmelparkhotel.com/map.html

  • Covidien Announces R&D Investment with NUIGalway

    Oct
    11

    Dublin, Ireland – 11 October, 2010 – Covidien, a leading global supplier of healthcare products, today announced that it is investing €900,000 in medical technologies research and development projects with NUI Galway, during the next two years.  This is the first phase of a multi-part investment of €1.8 million with Irish academic institutions which Covidien announced in July.

    Covidien has engaged in discussions with IDA Ireland, Ireland's investment promotion agency, to establish three collaborative programmes to support active technology development projects. Today’s announcement details two of the highly innovative projects, in Editor’s Notes below, with information about the third project to follow in the coming months.

    The announcement was made today in Dublin and was attended by the Minister for Health and Children, Ms Mary Harney T.D.

    Speaking at the announcement, Minister Harney said: “University based facilities enabled by this collaboration with Covidien will help to ensure that Ireland continues to produce high-quality researchers who can innovate new technologies and design robust scientific research. This ultimately produces the valuable data that furthers patient health and safety.”

    Speaking about Covidien’s investment, Scott Flora, President, Surgical Devices, Covidien, said, “The medical devices sector in Ireland has a legacy of innovative products and is of critical importance to the country’s economic recovery.   We are dedicated to R&D in partnership with IDA Ireland. We believe the medical devices and health sectors will be a thriving part of Ireland’s business growth and high-technology job creation in the future.”

    Through these collaborative programs, Covidien hopes to incentivise students to choose science as a career and promote the continued growth and prosperity of the medical devices sector in Ireland. 

    Barry O’Leary, CEO, IDA Ireland, added, “Ireland is recognised as a key global hub for medical technologies, employing the highest medical technologies personnel per capita in Europe.  Nearly 60% of the sector’s companies are now carrying out R&D functions here and today’s announcement is another great example of how the unique collaboration between Government, industry and academia in Ireland can assist global companies such as Covidien to meet their R&D needs.”

    The project involves a number of research groups based in the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) at NUI Galway including the Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB) and the Centre for Pain Research (CPR). Speaking at the event, Vice-President for Research at NUI Galway Professor Terry Smith said “NUI Galway is delighted to be part of this investment by Covidien for research to be led by Professor Abhay Pandit, Director of the Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials and Dr David Finn, Lecturer in Pharmacology and Co-Director of the Centre for Pain Research. It is yet another tangible benefit arising from the Government investment in R&D in Ireland and acknowledges the part which Irish research plays in translating research from the bench to the clinic.”

    Earlier this year, Covidien announced an investment of €11 million in a state-of-the-art European Services Centre in Cherrywood Dublin. The centre employs 200 people who manage sales and marketing, customer services, credit control, contracts and pricing, and import and export functions for 16 European countries.

    About Covidien

    Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2009 revenue of $10.3 billion, Covidien has 42,000 employees worldwide in more than 60 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about Covidien's business.


    Source: www.idaireland.com

    Date: 11/10/2010

  • GSK blames lower demand for Cork cuts

    Oct
    05

    The pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline is to cut its workforce in County Cork by more than 120 people. The company has blamed a fall-off in demand for the drugs it manufactures.

    GlaxoSmithKline currently employs 460 people in manufacturing and research and development at Currabinny in County Cork. A review of manufacturing has been going on there for some time.

    Today the company said it would reduce its workforce in Cork by 121 people. The news follows similar recent announcements by Pfizer in Ringaskiddy and Schering Plough in Brinny in County Cork.
    Advertisement

    While there is disappointment at the stream of job losses in the pharmaceutical sector, privately there is also relief that the big players are choosing to maintain their bases here instead of shutting up shop.

    Source: www.rte.ie
    Date: Monday, 4 October 2010 17:01

  • Taoiseach opens Freund's New European Hub

    Sep
    17

    Tullamore, An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, TD today officially opened Japanese pharmaceutical equipment company, Freund Pharmatec’s, new European Hub in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, with the creation of 25 new high quality jobs. The investment is supported by the Irish Government with the aid of IDA.

    Japanese company chooses Ireland as location for its first European Operation 

    Freund initially announced their decision to locate in Ireland in January of this year and chose Ireland due to its ease of access to the European Market, pro-business environment and highly qualified workforce. Headquartered in Tokyo, Freund Corporation is the leading pharmaceutical equipment supplier in Japan, employing over 300 people in operations in Japan and the US. The primary focus of the new jobs created in Tullamore will be in new drug delivery technologies and clinical trial manufacturing as well as a number of positions in marketing/sales of pharmaceutical equipment and excipients.

    Commenting at the opening, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said, ‘I am delighted to be here today to officiate at the opening of Freund Pharmatec’s European Hub in Ireland. This is Freund’s first venture into Europe and the choice of Ireland demonstrates that not only are we very much open for business but continuing to provide a competitive location for Foreign Direct Investment.’

    ‘Freud will be recruiting for high value positions in the Midlands Region and as a regional hub, with a skilled and educated workforce, we can ensure the Corporation will find the best possible candidates to fill these roles here, in keeping with Ireland’s Smart Economy reputation. It is with great pleasure that I welcome Freund to Tullamore and wish to extend the guarantee of continued support from the Irish Government as it develops its operations here.’

    Speaking at the opening, Mr. Yasutoyo Fusejima, Chairman, of Freund Corporation and Freund Pharmatec said, ‘On behalf of Freund I am delighted with the speed at which the set up of our Irish enterprise has progressed. The decision to locate here was finalised just last January and I wish to express my thanks to the Irish Government and IDA Ireland for facilitating the swift set-up of operations. This facility is set to become the epicentre of Freund’s presence in Europe and I look forward to witnessing the growth of Freund’s European base in Ireland.’

    IDA CEO Barry O’Leary said, ‘IDA Ireland welcomes the opening of Freund’s European Hub in Tullamore. The choice of Ireland highlights Ireland’s attractiveness for the medical technology sector and Freund is the latest addition to a globally renowned Medical Technology cluster in the Midlands Region. On behalf of IDA Ireland I look forwarding to working closely with Freund as it embeds this and future operations here in Ireland.

    About Freund

    Freund Corporation design, manufacture and market processing equipment for the manufacture of solid dosage products. The company is represented in the Japanese and US markets and has been selling directly into Europe for the past 30 years, however, it previously had no direct presence in Europe. The Irish operation will act as a European hub for the company and will play a pivotal role in facilitating the growth of the company’s European base.

    Source: www.idaireland.com
    Date: 17.09.2010

  • Atlantic Corridor 2011 programme launched

    Sep
    13

    Atlantic Corridor is pleased to announce that Ericsson, the world’s leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators, is again the lead sponsor of the 2011 Atlantic Conference. The conference focuses on a range of issues surrounding the development and promotion of science, technology, engineering and maths education (STEM).

    With a variety of speakers including Dr Thad Starner, Georgia Tech, British Science Writer Ben Goldacre, Sarah Baird, Arizona Maths Teacher Association and the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Irish Government Professor Patrick Cunningham,   the conference promises to be an informative and enlivening event. A range of international speakers will develop a lively and stimulating forum for debate. The key theme to be addressed is – how can educators inspire students to engage with science, technology, engineering and maths?

    The 2011 Conference will also include a performance by the Maths Buskers, a troupe of mathematicians who have turned a mixture of maths, stand up comedy and street performance into an engaging way to get people interested in maths. Using things like card tricks and strait jackets they are generating interest in maths and also doing innovative teacher training days to help maths teachers communicate their subject in new and interesting ways.

    One speaker will be wearing something you don’t see a lot of people wearing – a computer !!!  Dr Thad Starner of Georgia Tech, Atlanta is a strong advocate of continuous-access, everyday-use systems, and has worn his own customized wearable computer continuously since 1993.  Some of the benefits he receives from wearing a computer include being able to type and access the Internet while walking around or talking to others allowing him to take notes on a conversation in real-time, opening up notes on a certain subject and e-mailing them at any time or even having two conversations at once, one online and one face to face, and if he comes across something he doesn't know or recognize, he can instantly find out. His work has gotten him named as one Technology Review's TR100 top 100 remarkable innovators in 1999.His work has also been featured on national and international news fronts such as CBS's 60 Minutes, CNN, BBC, and The Wall Street Journal.

    Commenting on the conference, John Hennessy, Managing Director and Country Manager for Ericsson in Ireland:  ‘’We now operate and compete in a global market place. To succeed we need to establish world class standards in every facet of life, be it infrastructure, skills, or more. If we are to become world leaders we need to produce leaders of world class and move up the international benchmarks. We need to inspire our nation of people to engage with science, engineering and mathematics to a far greater extent. Our contribution to the event is to support that ambition.’’

    Jackie Gorman, CEO of Atlantic Corridor also commented “We are delighted to be hosting our third Atlantic Conference on STEM Education and to be working again with Ericsson who have played such a key role in developing the knowledge economy in our region. We have a range of exciting speakers such as our keynote speaker Bad Science Author and Guardian Columnist Dr Ben Goldacre and award-winning maths educator Sarah Baird. The objective of these conferences and associated initiatives is to generate greater interest in STEM subjects and skills, which are vital for the region and indeed for Ireland as it seeks to compete internationally for investment, growth and innovation. ”

    The Atlantic Conference on Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths Education takes place in Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Thursday 10th March 2011 and will be officially opened by a Maths Busker’s performance and the conference chairperson is well-known science broadcaster Leo Enright. A full conference programme and further details including booking information is available by going to www.atlanticcorridor.ie