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We are Hiring – Microbiology Lead

Who We Are – Ovagen Group Limited

We are an innovation based biotechnology company that has developed a proprietary process of producing the world’s first Germ Free eggs, for use in vaccine manufacture and other pharmaceutical and research applications. Germ free eggs are the highest quality products available to produce medicines like vaccines, reducing contamination and the need for antimicrobials, as well as improving sustainability and environmental impacts.  We also specialise in avian transgenic technology and we have a fully equipped transgenic laboratory.

As the first company in the world to produce commercial quantities of Germ Free eggs, from  our state-of-the-art avian facility, we have recently been awarded €10M funding by the European Commission and plans are in place to build two additional Germ Free production facilities and a logistics building, with which we will scale production to four million Germ Free eggs annually.

At Ovagen, we pride ourselves on scientific excellence, and we are passionate about the impact of our disruptive technology in transforming the way vaccines are produced to give security of supply and improve global immunisation coverage.

About The Position

Ovagen’s commercialization plans are now being accelerated leading to the expansion of our Operations team. Additionally, a series of studies over the next year are likely to show additional key advantages of Germ Free eggs, greatly increasing product demand.

The primary function of this position is to provide day-to-day leadership and guidance to the Production teams. Liaise with the Operations manager on company goals / targets while managing the daily activities of the Production teams,

This position of Microbiology Labaratory Lead is a key appointment and the successful candidate will report directly to our Operations Manager in our HQ in Ballina, County Mayo.

Key Responsibilities Include;

  • Support the scale up of Ovagen’s production operation in delivering on our ambitious plans to service the global vaccine, oncology & therapeutic industries by the efficient processing and accurate reading/reporting of Microbiological samples
  • Ensure Regulatory & Quality compliance is applied to SOP writing/updating and the periodic reviews of same.
  • Be familiar with relevant regulations provided by the European (EP) & American (USP) Pharmacopeia.
  • Ensure all documented procedures are being followed & all logbooks/documentation is completed in real – time and is right first time (RFT).
  • Building, leading & developing a strong Microbiology Lab team with assistance/mentoring from the Ovagen Management team.
  • Perform EM, water, Microbial limit testing, Bioburden testing and sterility testing using laboratory techniques / cGLP. quality control, and utilizing laboratory skills.
  • Be involved in any/all investigations arising from positive results, non-conformances and/or human error deviations.
  • Review & interpret all routine & requested Microbiology results.
  • Record/tabulate Laboratory results and present at management meetings
  • Quality Control (QC) checks, preparation & revision of SOP’s, qualification/validation of test methods
  • Lead continuous improvement projects for the current Laboratory processes
  • Conduct routine Preventative maintenance on all Laboratory equipment and scheduling of routine servicing of the Laboratory equipment and to ensure that the Laboratory is stocked with all the materials & consumables that are necessary
  • Supervise/maintain the flock sampling schedule and compile/review results.
  • Ensure all gowning & PPE is being worn correctly in relevant areas.

Additional Responsibilites;

  • Manage and co-ordinate Laboratory team members daily/weekly tasks while evaluating areas of individuals strengths & weakness & to mitigate these.
  • Have strong leadership skills, including team building, relationship building and effective stakeholder management.
  • Have excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
  • Have solid planning capability.
  • Identify and implement cost saving opportunities.
  • Responsible for the preparation and revision of Laboratory SOPs
  • Identify opportunities to improve processes.
  • Ensure full compliance with all Quality, Regulatory, HR, HSE requirements.
  • Provide support to the rest of the Company’s Senior Management team as required.
  • Have high energy and resilience level, team building skills and an ability to anticipate and address potential issues
  • Any other duties/responsibilities that may be assigned (to him/her) by the Operations Manager or Senior Project Director.

Requirments;

Microbiology Lead

Education:        

  • Level 8 Degree in relevant Microbiolgy discipline, Masters/PhD in a Micro discipline would be a distinct advantage

Experience:      

  • 3 – 5 years in regulated GLP environment
  • Previous experience in vaccine manufacturing industry would be a benefit
  • Exposure in dealing directly with suppliers & customers would also be an advantage
  • Exposure to people management is beneficial but not essential
  • Background/exposure to aseptic techniques & isolators is beneficial
  • IT proficiency: MS Office experience is essential

What we Offer

This is a senior commercial and operational role, and the successful candidate will enjoy a generous package befitting of this.  This is an opportunity to join a positive and dynamic team at Ovagen Group, at an exciting time when we are poised and ready for growth.

If you are interested in applying to the role, please send your CV and covering letter to [email protected]

Ovagen Group Limited secures €10 million funding award from EIC Accelerator fund.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  • Second time in 3 years Ballina-based company has received EIC Accelerator funding
  • Follows the announcement of developing the world’s first bacteria free (‘germfree’) eggs in April.
  • Positions Ovagen as a potential world-leader in the production of germ-free eggs,

22nd June 2022, Ballina, Mayo, Ireland – Biotechnology company Ovagen Group Limited has again been awarded European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator funding, thanks to a €10 million funding award from the European Commission supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB), putting Ovagen in the top 7% of European companies who applied in this funding round.

The firm, which has its headquarters in Ballina in the west of Ireland, has been awarded a €2.5 million grant from the Horizon EIC Accelerator Programme, and a €7.5 million equity investment supported by the European Investment Bank. 

This latest grant from the EIC follows a €2.36M EIC grant which Ovagen was awarded in 2019.

“To receive funding at this significant level is a major endorsement of the value of Ovagen’s germ free eggs to the vaccine and biopharmaceutical industry, and of our strong track record of delivery on the previous EIC Grant,” Ovagen CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Catherine Caulfield, said. “Germ free eggs have been developed and are on the market, and this funding will allow us to demonstrate all their benefits and to scale-up and commercialise the business.”

Ovagen has developed the world’s first, bacteria free (‘germ free’), eggs.  Germ free eggs will be used in the production of human and animal vaccines, biotechnology applications and in cutting edge scientific research. Ovagen’s superior quality germ free eggs will set a new gold standard in the market and the biology of germ free eggs may also allow much greater viral yield to produce certain vaccines.

 “The EU funding is a game changer for Ovagen,” Ovagen Chairman, Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder Dr. Leonard Moran said. “It has arrived at exactly the right time to allow us to scale up rapidly to meet customer demand with commercial production volumes.”

“This validates the 10 year’s research and development it has taken to get to this point,” Ovagen Senior Project Director Dr. Martin Murphy said. “but we now have the opportunity to impact millions of patient’s lives by supporting the production of better medicines”

ENDS

About Ovagen Group Limited. Ballina, Mayo, Ireland.

Ovagen Group Limited is an innovation-based biotechnology company, led by experienced entrepreneurs, providing specialist contract products and services to the biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical and vaccine industries. The company has developed a proprietary process of producing Germ Free chicken eggs and Germ Free birds in commercial quantities for use primarily in the pharmaceutical industry.

For more information, please contact:

Peg Connor (Administrative Office Manager):

Ovagen Receives a Second European Innovation Council (EIC) Grant

On 17th June 2022 Ovagen Group Ltd. was selected by the European Commission for €10M in grant and equity funding in what was the most competitive round of European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator funding to date, with only 7% of the over 1,000 companies across Europe being funded.  This is the second time Ovagen has been successfully awarded funding by the European Commission.  This award comprises of €2.5M grant from the EIC and €7.5M in equity supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB).  This funding will allow Ovagen provide scientific data to support key attributes of germ free eggs and to accelerate scale up of production and commercialisation.

You can read the full article from Enterprise Ireland by clicking here

Ovagen Group Limited Announce the Launch of the World’s First Germ-Free Egg

  • This innovative and disruptive technology will set a new ‘gold standard in the market’ eliminating bacterial contamination and potential for increased viral yield in egg based vaccine manufacture
  • This ground-breaking development will support the manufacturing of vaccines and scientific research
  • These bacteria, or ‘germfree’, eggs will be available for commercial sale in Q2 this year

25 April 2022, Ballina, Mayo, Ireland: Biotechnology company Ovagen Group Limited has today announced the achievement of the world’s first bacteria free (‘germfree’) eggs. These eggs are from a bacteria free flock of birds, and for use in the production of human and animal vaccine manufacture and in cutting edge scientific research. 

Chicken eggs have been in clinical use for vaccine manufacture and biopharmaceutical research for over 100 years. However, bacterial contamination of eggs has always been a problem for the vaccine industry. This has now been addressed by Ovagen’s multi-skilled research team. 

Ovagen’s superior quality germfree eggs will therefore set a new gold standard in the market. The biology of germfree eggs may also allow much greater viral yield of certain vaccines. These Germ Free eggs will be available for commercial sale in Q2 2022.

Dr. Catherine Caulfield, Ovagen CEO, commented: “The achievement of germfree eggs is the result of over a decade of research & development for Ovagen, and represents a great advancement of our technology. I would like to sincerely thank our committed and dedicated team for their part in developing this world’s first innovative and disruptive technology.” 

Dr. Leonard Moran, Ovagen Chairman and experienced entrepreneur, said: “Vaccine and biopharmaceutical medicine is a key part of human health, as evidenced by the Covid-19 pandemic. I am really pleased that Ovagen will play such an important role in advancing the science in this area.”

European Research funding, through Horizon 2020, and shareholder matched funds have been instrumental in allowing Ovagen take the product from proof of concept to germ free eggs available for customer evaluation. The company is now poised for scale up and commercialisation.

Kevin Burke, National Director for Horizon Europe at Enterprise Ireland said, “This is very positive news for Dr. Caulfield and her team at Ovagen Group. Ovagen Group’s engagement with the European Framework Programmes and the award of competitive funding under the SME Instrument has significantly progressed the company’s research and innovation ambitions to advance commercialisation and its position to scale. 

“The SME Instrument Programme has been succeeded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Programme in Horizon Europe. Enterprise Ireland encourages all innovative Irish start-ups and SMEs to closely look at the opportunities under the EIC and the wider Horizon Europe Programmes to support their innovation and scale-up ambitions.”

About Ovagen Group Limited. Ballina, Mayo, Ireland. 

Ovagen Group Limited is an innovation-based biotechnology company, led by experienced entrepreneurs, providing specialist contract products and services to the biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical and vaccine industries. The companyhas developed a proprietary process of producing Germ Free chicken eggs and Germ Free birds in commercial quantities for use primarily in the pharmaceutical industry.

For more information, please contact:

Peg Connor (Administrative Office Manager):