EIT Health Ireland–UK Expands European Network with Three New Members

The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), an Irish-based center of excellence in biopharmaceutical manufacturing; Firefinch Software, a United Kingdom-based software consultancy; and eg technology, a product design, engineering, and development specialist with offices in the UK and Ireland, are joining EIT Health Ireland–UK, a co-location center of EIT Health, which is a part of the European Union’s European Institute of Innovation and Technology (1).

EIT Health is a 100-member strong network of organizations in various fields—business, education, government, research, and health services delivery—that work together to address healthcare challenges across Europe with collective technological knowledge and innovation (1).

A pan-European innovation network

“We are delighted to welcome NIBRT, Firefinch, and eg technology to the EIT Health Ireland-UK network,” said Graham Armitage, managing director at EIT Health Ireland–UK, in a press release (1). “Each brings a unique strength to our network. From world-class bioprocessing training and market-ready product design to expert solutions that can accelerate innovation adoption, their expertise enhances our collaborative mission to create meaningful, scalable healthcare solutions for Europe.”

By joining the network, NIBRT, Firefinch, and eg technology gain access to what EIT Health referred to as a pan-European innovation base. Opportunities will be available to the three new network members to contribute to the EIT Health Think Tank and other EU-supported initiatives.

“At NIBRT, we are committed to advancing excellence in bioprocessing through training and research that meets the evolving needs of the biopharma sector,” Fiona Killard-Lynch, chief scientific officer and director of Research and Innovation at NIBRT, said in the release (1). “Being part of this vibrant European network opens up exciting opportunities to work with like-minded partners and bring meaningful, scalable health solutions to patients across Europe.”

“We are thrilled to be joining such an exciting and dynamic community as EIT Health,” said Isabel Vincent, market development manager, Firefinch Software, in the release (1). “From university spin outs to large multi-nationals, we are keen to work with innovative companies that want to improve health outcomes across Europe.”

“Our continued partnership with EIT Health reinforces eg technology’s commitment to accelerating healthcare innovation across Europe,” Rouzet Agaiby, director at eg technology, said in the release (1). “By further supporting high-potential start-ups and contributing to cutting-edge medical technology development, we can continue to play an active role in the delivery of meaningful improvements to patient outcomes.”

European geopolitical shifts

In two installments of Pharmaceutical Technology®’s “Industry Outlook 2025” series, Alexander Seyf, CEO and co-founder of Autolomous, and Edwin Stone, CEO of Cellular Origins, discussed European political impacts on the pharmaceutical industry at large, and the pharma supply chain in particular. Those interviews can be viewed in full at the links provided here and here, respectively.

EIT Health Ireland–UK said it is still hoping to grow its membership further to connect more healthcare stakeholders. Interested parties can learn more at this link.

References

1. EIT Health. NIBRT, Firefinch and eg technology Join EIT Health Ireland–UK Network to Boost Pan-European Health Innovation. Press Release. June 12, 2025.
2. Thomas, F. and Haigney, S. Industry Outlook 2025: European Geopolitical Impact on Pharma. PharmTech.com, Apr. 30, 2025.
3. Thomas, F. and Haigney, S. Industry Outlook 2025: European Political Impacts on the Supply Chain. PharmTech.com, May 8, 2025.