DCU academic wins US-Ireland research award

DCU’s Professor Oliver Dolly has won a prestigious US-Ireland Research Innovation Awards, a joint initiative by the Royal Irish Academy and America Chamber of Commerce Ireland which recognises excellence in research innovation that has taken place on the island of Ireland as a result of US foreign direct investment.

Molecular neurobiologist Professor Dolly leads a team of over 12 scientists at the International Centre for Neurotherapeutics which he founded at DCU.  His area of expertise is in the area of nerve communication, using the BOTOX drug, commercialised by Allergan, the global pharmaceutical company, to develop new and effective treatments for debilitating movement disorders such as Dystonias, Cerebral Palsy and bladder complaints, particularly in Multiple Sclerosis patients plus many other conditions.

Professor Mitchell F Brin, Senior Vice President of Development at Allergan (California) describes Professor Dolly as ‘an outstanding individual who has overachieved in defining the science of botulinum toxin.’  Professor Alan Harvey , Vice President for Research and Innovation at DCU highlighted the international significance of this research, saying ‘We believe that Professor Dolly’s pioneering work with Allergan has enabled DCU to play a significant part in enhancing Ireland’s attraction to Foreign Direct Investment.”

Professor Dolly and his team have contributed significant scientific insights into the basic science of toxins and neurotherapeutics, as well as pioneering the development of therapeutics for neuropathic and inflammatory pain which have been patented and are now the basis of applied translational research currently underway at DCU.  The most promising candidates are being prepared in a form suitable for human use in a unique state-of-the-art GMP facility.  With a substantial grant from Enterprise Ireland, these drugs will be progressed to a state of readiness for clinical trials.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Eamonn Sinnott, president of the American Chamber said that the impact of US FDI in Ireland "is being seen across the full spectrum of industry with countless innovations being seen in areas such as ICT where Irish designed computer chips and software programmes are powering systems worldwide”.

The awards were presented at the American Chamber’s Annual Dinner on Friday 15th May.

For further information on the awards visit www.amcham.ie or www.ria.ie.