NEWARK, Del. – U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper (both D-Del.), and Congressman John Carney (D-Del.), today applauded the Department of Commerce’s selection of the University of Delaware to lead the country’s first manufacturing innovation institute focused on biopharmaceutical manufacturing. As part of the announcement, the Department will invest $70 million in a new UD-led manufacturing institute over five years, which will be matched by private and public funds, resulting in a nearly $200 million investment in the new institute. This significant financial commitment will accelerate innovation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and help train a world-class manufacturing workforce.

“I’m thrilled to mark this tremendous victory for the University of Delaware and all the partners in this new institute,” said Senator Coons. “This announcement makes official what I’ve long known: the University of Delaware is a true hub of manufacturing innovation. This new institute brings together leading academic, non-profit and private sector organizations from across the country to accelerate innovation that ensures the United States remains the world leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.”

“Here in Delaware, we have a vibrant research community, thanks to the University and its commitment to partnering with the public and private sectors to push innovation further,” said Senator Carper. “Working together is something we are very good at in Delaware, and this consortium of public and private universities, major manufacturers, government, trade organizations and nonprofits from across the country will be housed right here in Newark. I’m so excited to see how we can leverage the power of these partners to advance the biomanufacturing industry, which already contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to our country’s economy."  

"The investment in this new institute represents a significant victory for innovation, for the University of Delaware, students here in Newark and the people of our state," said Congressman Carney. "It's also an example of what we can achieve by working with partners across the public and private sectors, including the major universities, research institutions and pharmaceutical industry leaders who are bringing resources to this effort."

Biopharma is one of the most important sectors in the U.S. economy. Biopharmaceuticals treat and prevent some of the most common and debilitating diseases, including cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and viral infections. The industry relies heavily on complex advanced manufacturing processes to produce these medicines with great precision at a large scale.

 

The new institute, the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL), is comprised of more the 150 public and private partners. This is the eleventh institute in the Manufacturing USA network, and first one sponsored by the Department of Commerce. NIIMBL will be headquartered in Newark, Delaware. 

 

Just weeks ago, legislation based on Senator Coons’ Manufacturing Universities bill passed the Senate and will be signed into law.