SSPC Governance Structure

The SSPC governance structure outlined in the Figure above is designed to facilitate the work of the Solid State Pharmaceuticals Cluster and ensure that reporting structures are in place that satisfies the requirements of the SFI. It comprises a Scientific Director, an SRC Operational Committee and an Executive Committee. These committees are assisted in their work by a Scientific Advisory Board and an Intellectual Property committee. From year 4 and 5 onwards a Governance committee will be put in place. The functions of these various committees are as follows: 

The scientific director and project manager oversee the scientific and commercial work of the cluster. They report to SFI on scientific and financial operations and are the main points of contact with the cluster partners. The project manager oversees the day to day operations of the SSPC and is the main point of contact between Industrial partners and the academic institutions. Outside liaison, PR and raising the profile of the Cluster are also the remit of the Scientific Director and project manager. 

The operational committee chaired by the project manager is comprised of the scientific director, and one PI each from the five academic partners. The role is to control local budgetary matters, recruit personnel, purchase equipment and to provide adequate research facilities for the various researchers associated with the award. They oversee the work of the postdoctoral working group charged with communication of research activities across academia and to industry. For years 4 and 5 all company specific and platform projects must be approved by the operational committee. As this committee does not have industry representation this ensures that no industry partner is given an unfair advantage over others in the Cluster.

The Executive Committee comprises the operational committee members, an independent chair and five industrial members. The function is to set the strategy of the SSPC. Being industry informed is critical to the success of the research of the SSPC. The strategy for years 4 and 5 was strongly influenced by the industrial members of the Executive committee having viewed the research activities of the SSPC in years 1-3 and also carried out an industry needs analysis on the areas of support needed urgently by the industry in Ireland.

The Scientific Advisory board comprises internationally recognised researchers in the area of solid state pharmaceuticals. Their function is to advise on the state of the art in relation to the research activities internationally and to critique the research of the Cluster. They also help in assessing the strategic direction of the SSPC as developed by the Executive committee.

Put in place on the recommendations of SFI, the Governance committee will perform an oversight role for the activities of the cluster. Comprising the Scientific director, one industry partner from the executive committee, the president of the lead institute or designate (UL) and three external non cluster representatives - from the IDA, PharmaChemical Ireland and the Irish Medicines Board respectively, their role is to oversee the activities of the SSPC on a bi-annual basis.

Membership of various committees within the SSPC

 

Membership of Operational Committee
Prof. Kieran Hodnett - Scientific Director	University of Limerick
Dr. Anne Marie Healy	Trinity College Dublin
Dr . Brian Glennon	University College Dublin
Dr. Humphrey Moynihan	University College Cork
Prof. Patrick McArdle	NUI Galway
Prof. Ake Rasmusson	University of Limerick
Jon O'Halloran	University of Limerick

Membership of Executive Committee
Prof. Owen Corrigan (chair)	Trinity College Dublin
Mr. Brendan O'Callaghan	Merck Sharp and Dohme
Dr. Liam Tully	Pfizer
Dr. Tom O'Ceallaigh	Merck Sharp and Dohme
Dr. Michael Napier	Janssen
Mr. Eoin McManus	Eli Lilly
Operational committee members

Membership of Advisory Board
Prof. Roger Davey	University of Manchester
Prof. Kevin Roberts	University of Leeds
Prof. Allan Myerson	Illinois Institute of Technology
Prof. Peter York	University of Bradford
Prof. Edmond Magner	University of Limerick
Executive committee members

Membership of Governance Committee
Prof. Kieran Hodnett - Scientific Director	Dean Science & Engineering, University of Limerick
Prof. Don Barry	President, University of Limerick
Dr. Liam Tully	Pfizer
Mr. Dave Shanahan	IDA Ireland
Mr. Matt Moran	Pharmachemical Ireland
Dr. Mike Morris	Irish Medicines Board
Mr Jon O'Halloran (sec)	University of Limerick