Minister Martin meets representatives of US National Institute of Health

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin is in Washington D.C. today (Tuesday 26^th April 2005) as part of his visit to the U.S. Minister Martin met with representatives of the National Institute of Health (NIH) the principal health research agency of the US Federal Government.

The NIH is one of the world’s foremost medical research centres with the largest research hospital in the world in addition to the largest biomedical library. The importance of the NIH is reflected in its ability to secure over $28 billion in Federal funding.

Minster Martin said “This meeting is a great opportunity for me to highlight to the NIH the growing importance of the Irish biotechnology industry and the companies leading the growth of the sector in Ireland. It also important to highlight to Irish companies/scientists the enormous opportunities available to those eligible for NIH research funding”.

Minister Martin emphasised to the NIH the Governments continued support and investment in the Irish Life Sciences industry and its strategy to grow a strong global industry with strong research roots in Ireland. Minister Martin also acknowledged important role Enterprise Ireland is playing in facilitating the growth of the sector in the US.

Minister Martin said “Enterprise Ireland has held two very successful inward missions to the NIH in 2003 and 2004 and in June this year 20 Irish Life Science companies will visit NIH. This relationship with the NIH allows Enterprise Ireland to encourage and facilitate companies to seek collaborative research agreements, to apply for NIH funding for novel research where relevant and to access relevant technology being licensed from the NIH.” 

“Enterprise Ireland has also succeed in strengthening its links with the NIH through the assignment of Dr. Brian O’Neill to the Office of Technology Transfer at the NIH. This assignment is unique in that it is the first time that any person outside the US has been given such an assignment,” Minister Martin added.

Minister Martin will visit Boston over the next two days where he will engage in a further series of meetings/events with key Enterprise Ireland (EI) clients, their buyers and contacts. 

ENDS

ETE 1352