University College Dublin (UCD) announced on Monday that it has started a €4.8M development project to build a new “state-of-the-art” facility at UCD Lyons Farm. The facility will house the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre (approximately 890 square metres) and the UCD Bimeda Herd Health Hub (approximately 120 square metres).
The investment was supported by Enterprise Ireland through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, UCD and a philanthropic donation from Bimeda, a global manufacturer and distributor of veterinary pharmaceuticals and animal health products.
Donal Tierney, Chairman of Bimeda Animal Health, says, “We are delighted to be associated with the UCD Bimeda Herd Health Hub and the contribution it will make to the development of the Agritech sector in Ireland. Bimeda is an Irish-owned company founded 50 years ago. Our association with UCD Lyons Farm in establishing the UCD Bimeda Herd Health Hub recognises the contribution the agricultural sector has made to the success of Bimeda worldwide.”
Construction of the AgTechUCD Innovation Centre and the UCD Bimeda Herd Health Hub is expected to be completed in Q3 2023 and facilities will include flexible lab spaces, meeting rooms, offices, and an exhibition space.