Sens. Carper & Coons, Commerce Under Secretary Locascio announce $8 million in new funding for University of Delaware’s NIIMBL
NEWARK, Del. — U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (both D-Del.) today announced $8 million in new funding for the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) on the University of Delaware Science Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus.
NIIMBL is supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Director of NIST and Under Secretary of Commerce Laurie E. Locascio joined the senators for a tour of NIIMBL prior to today’s announcement.
Today’s grant announcement includes $3 million from NIST that will be paired with an additional $5 million from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to plan, design, and procure equipment for a new testbed which will enable rapid development of manufacturing processes to produce next-generation pharmaceuticals.
NIIMBL’s goal is part of a larger effort to increase U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing. It is a public-private consortium working to address the challenges associated with manufacturing biopharmaceuticals and training the workforce needed to produce them. Delaware’s congressional delegation previously helped NIIMBL secure an historic $75 million grant to support its launch in 2016. The 2016 grant remains the largest federal grant in the University of Delaware’s history.
“As Governor, I worked hard to make Delaware a thriving hub for the biopharmaceutical industry,” said Senator Carper. “I was proud to work alongside Senator Chris Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester to secure the federal funding we're announcing today that will help the industry continue to grow. This grant will enable Delaware to continue advancing our nation's biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing, while securing an investment in our workforce for years to come."
“NIIMBL’s work bringing new medicines to market faster will keep costs down for patients, while ensuring that the United States is more prepared to respond to new and more dangerous viral threats,” said Senator Coons. “I’m proud to have secured this new funding that will ensure that NIIMBL and Delaware continue to lead the way in cutting-edge biopharmaceuticals that will save lives while growing our economy and creating good-paying jobs right here in the First State.”
“Investing in the domestic manufacturing of critical goods – such as biopharmaceuticals – is critical to the health, wealth, and competitiveness of our state and nation,” said Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester. “Today’s announcement of $8 million in federal funding for NIIMBL – that I helped secure with Senators Carper and Coons – is another step towards helping us achieve that goal. Alongside the University of Delaware and NIST, we’re as committed as ever in working together to ensure that Delaware remains a leader in research, development, and innovation.”
“[I] look forward to hearing how we can continue to work to support you and strengthen this impact for this critical piece that enhances competitiveness and public health,” Director Locascio said. “NIIMBL works, and delivers returns. The work you lead helps make sure that breakthrough inventions don't get stuck in labs and don't get made overseas, but get manufactured here in the United States where we need them, where we need good jobs.”
“Together we win, and we make significant and huge strides in developing the processes and the protocols for more efficient manufacturing of life-saving medicines that we all need, or many of our loved ones may need one day,” said University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis. “It's not just critical to do the research, but it's also important to enable the skills and experience the industry needs to ensure that products are consistently made in the USA, of the highest quality standards…That's the sweet spot, and we feel that is going to be a truly amazing game-changer for our state, region, and the world.”
For more photos from the event, click here.
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