Rinn Advanced Therapies And CCRM Explore Establishment Of CCRM Ireland

Dublin, Ireland and Toronto, Canada — Rinn Advanced Therapies, Ireland’s national research centre for personalized immune cell therapies, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CCRM, a global leader in cell and gene therapy development and commercialization. The agreement outlines a strategic collaboration to explore establishing a CCRM-affiliated advanced therapies hub in Ireland.

The proposed initiative, referred to as CCRM Ireland, would position Ireland as a key node within CCRM’s global network of advanced therapies hubs and further strengthen Ireland’s leadership in next-generation biomedicine. CCRM’s global network comprises CCRM in Canada, CCRM Australia, and CCRM Nordic in Sweden.

“The idea of collaborating with CCRM to establish CCRM Ireland is very attractive because of our shared commitment to improving patient outcomes,” said Professor Sakis Mantalaris, Director of Rinn Advanced Therapies. “By combining Rinn Advanced Therapies’ focus on novel personalized immune cell therapeutics with CCRM’s global platform, CCRM Ireland can accelerate the translation of cutting-edge science into accessible, high-quality treatments.”

Through this collaboration, Rinn Advanced Therapies will lead the evaluation of how Ireland’s uniquely integrated ecosystem – spanning academia, health care, biomanufacturing and research – can be aligned with CCRM’s internationally recognized model for accelerating the development of advanced therapies. The partnership will explore how to advance the design and clinical translation and delivery of personalized immune cell therapies, while also leveraging Ireland’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing strengths. CCRM Ireland would potentially support investment, venture creation and commercialization pathways, following CCRM Canada’s proven model.

“As cell and gene therapies move from scientific promise to clinical reality, no single organization, region or country can build this industry alone,” says Michael May, President and CEO, CCRM. “CCRM’s global hubs are designed to connect world-class research, manufacturing expertise, capital and talent into a coordinated network that accelerates the development and commercialization of advanced therapies. By creating hubs around the world, and in the spirit of the Prime Minister of Canada’s call for middle-power countries to work together, with CCRM Ireland, we can help innovators overcome barriers to scale, strengthen local ecosystems and, most importantly, bring life-changing treatments to patients faster.”

Rinn Advanced Therapies brings together a comprehensive network that includes leading universities, hospitals, and national organizations with a shared mission to develop and deliver personalized immune cell therapies that are more effective, accessible and affordable for patients.

CCRM will contribute its expertise in establishing and operating advanced therapies hubs, drawing on its experience in Canada and its growing international network. This includes proven frameworks in governance, GMP manufacturing, quality systems and commercialization.

A joint working group will be established to explore the collaboration, assess feasibility, and define the structure and operating model for a potential CCRM Ireland.

About Rinn Advanced Therapies

Rinn Advanced Therapies is leading Ireland’s research and innovation in advancing personalized immune cell therapies. By uniting leading universities, hospitals, and research institutions across the island of Ireland, Rinn Advanced Therapies is building a sustainable ecosystem to deliver innovative, patient-centered advanced therapies.

Rinn Advanced Therapies is part of the Research Ireland funded Rinn network (rinn-network.ie). Rinn empowers radical collaboration that operates across multiple research bodies in partnership with industry, government and wider stakeholders to create a unique research and innovation ecosystem of international significance and scale.

About CCRM

CCRM is a global, public-private partnership headquartered in Canada. It has received funding from the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and leading academic and industry partners. CCRM supports the development of regenerative medicines and associated enabling technologies, with a specific focus on cell and gene therapy. A network of researchers, leading companies, investors, and entrepreneurs, CCRM accelerates the translation of scientific discovery into new companies and revolutionary medicines for patients with specialized teams, dedicated funding, and unique infrastructure. In 2022, CCRM established OmniaBio Inc., a commercial-stage CDMO for manufacturing cell and gene therapies. Visit us at ccrm.ca.