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FUNDING

The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL), a public-private partnership based at the University of Delaware, has received $153 million in new federal funding from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on Wednesday, July 14, announced $153 million in new federal funding for the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL), including $83 million for coronavirus response projects.

The grant, awarded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), extends federal support for NIIMBL for another five years.

NIIMBL, a public-private partnership founded in 2017 and headquartered at the University of Delaware’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus, has more than 180 members, representing large industries, small businesses, academic institutions, non-profit and federal agencies.

“This is an important investment for America,” Raimondo said. “I am so pleased that NIIMBL will continue to bring together organizations of all types to deliver impacts on our federal investments, strengthen our nation through better pandemic preparedness and build a more agile manufacturing industry for future economic strength, more cost-effective manufacturing and less reliance on foreign supply chains for our national need for life-saving biopharmaceuticals.”

NIIMBL’s objective is to develop partnerships and innovative approaches to biopharmaceutical manufacturing, with the goal of improving U.S. competitiveness in the industry.

“As the headquarters for NIIMBL, the University of Delaware is proud to work with the Commerce Department and all of our dedicated partners to continue developing better ways to manufacture and deliver biopharmaceuticals,” said UD President Dennis Assanis. “Through this innovative research program, we are also thrilled to educate tomorrow’s workforce for this growing industry. The continuation of NIIMBL into a second five-year phase, with increased resources, speaks volumes to the impact that our program is having in advancing this critical national need.”

In its first four years, NIIMBL members have pursued more than 70 projects. Last year, the institute got $8.9 million in CARES Act funding, supporting multiple COVID-19-related projects.

The new support adds fresh fuel to the effort.

“Our vision is to lead and transform the development and adoption of next-generation biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies that contribute to patient wellbeing,” said Kelvin Lee, director of NIIMBL and Gore Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UD.

“The additional funding will help our members forge and catalyze advancements vital to the acceleration of innovative technologies and a skilled workforce.”