Research Foundation News

September 5, 2019

NIBRT announces appointment of Purdue’s Elizabeth Topp as chief scientific officer

Global leader in drug product manufacturing joins Ireland’s National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) to lead research

Topp pharmacy Elizabeth Topp, a professor in the College of Pharmacy at Purdue University, has been named NIBRT chief scientific officer. (Image by Oren Darling) Download image

DUBLIN, Ireland, and WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Ireland’s National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) announced Monday (Sept. 2) the appointment of Elizabeth Topp, a professor in the College of Pharmacy at Purdue University, as chief scientific officer. The appointment will see Topp joining NIBRT immediately to lead a research program focused on biopharmaceutical manufacturing research.

Topp is an acknowledged global leader in drug product manufacturing. Her research has focused on the chemical and physical stability of protein drugs, which she has patented through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization.

NIBRT is internationally recognized as a leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing research,” Topp said. “I look forward to leading NIBRT’s research efforts and am honored to become a member of a team of world-leading expertise in this field.”

In the 10 years since it was founded, NIBRT has become internationally recognized as a leader in training, research and contract analytical services for the biopharmaceutical industry. Much of NIBRT’s focus has been on manufacturing the drug substance through cell culture and purification processes.

“We are pleased to announce Elizabeth Topp joining our team in this important role,” said Dominic Carolan, CEO of NIBRT. “She brings Purdue’s great strengths in fundamental and applied research in pharmacy, engineering and science in the drug product manufacturing area that will help us advance the biopharmaceutical manufacturing research sector.” 

Topp serves as a director for Purdue’s LyoHUB, an industrial consortium to advance lyophilization technology. Lyophilization, or freeze-drying, is a manufacturing process used to produce dry powders of sensitive drugs, including many vaccines, recombinant proteins and other biologics. Topp said that over the past decade, about 40% of new biologics have been marketed in lyophilized form.

“One of my goals at NIBRT is to help connect LyoHUB to the biopharmaceutical manufacturing community in Ireland and in the EU,” Topp said. “I hope that new research and educational opportunities for Purdue faculty and students also will be developed.”

Topp takes over the role of NIBRT’s chief scientific officer from Michael Butler who will continue his research activities at NIBRT.          

About NIBRT - The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training

The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) is a global centre of excellence for training and research in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. NIBRT is located in a world-class facility in Dublin, Ireland. This facility is purpose-built to closely replicate a modern bioprocessing plant with state-of-the-art equipment and enables NIBRT to offer the highest-quality training and research solutions. NIBRT's mission is to support the growth and development of all aspects of the biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland by becoming a global leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing research, education and training. This mission is achieved by performing high-impact, world-class, industry-aligned research in all aspects of bioprocessing, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, therapeutic protein characterisation, compliance and regulation and by designing, developing and delivering best-in-class education and training solutions across all levels to national and international students and workforces. For further information, visit www.nibrt.ie. 

About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization

The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the university's academic activities through commercializing, licensing and protecting Purdue intellectual property. The office is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2016 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Innovation from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. For more information on licensing a Purdue innovation, contact the Office of Technology Commercialization at otcip@prf.org. For more information about funding and investment opportunities in startups based on a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Foundry at foundry@prf.org.The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University.   

Writer: Chris Adam, 765-588-3341, cladam@prf.org 

NIBRT contact: Killian O’Driscoll, +353-1-2158100, killian.odriscoll@nibrt.ie

Source: Elizabeth Topp, topp@purdue.edu


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