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About NIIMBL

The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL) is a public-private partnership focused on advancing biopharmaceutical manufacturing, solving industry challenges, and developing the skilled workforce of the future.

Mission

The NIIMBL mission is to accelerate biopharmaceutical manufacturing innovation, support the development of standards that enable more efficient and rapid manufacturing capabilities, and educate and train a world-leading biopharmaceutical manufacturing workforce, fundamentally advancing U.S. competitiveness in this industry.

Vision

NIIMBL will lead and transform the development and adoption of next-generation biopharmaceutical manufacturing technologies that contribute to patient well-being. As a public–private partnership, NIIMBL will forge and catalyze advancements that are vital to the acceleration of innovative technologies and a skilled workforce, and these strategic efforts and investments will be undertaken to secure U.S. biopharmaceutical manufacturing leadership.

Who we are

NIIMBL is made up of a diverse set of stakeholders, including:

  • Industry: large and small companies
  • Academia: research institutions, community colleges, and training centers
  • Non-profit: professional organizations, research centers, and Manufacturing Extension Partnerships
  • Government: state government and federal agencies

Members have the opportunity to collectively revolutionize current biomanufacturing platforms, processes, and educational programs and share in the benefits of these transformative solutions.

niimbl logo
Industry

51%

Academia

30%

Non-profit

16%

Gov

3%

As of June 30, 2023

NIIMBL is a proud member of Manufacturing USA®, a diverse network of federally sponsored manufacturing innovation institutes, and is funded through a cooperative agreement with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the U.S. Department of Commerce with significant additional support from its members. 

What we do

Together with our partners from industry, academia, non-profits, and government agencies, we:

Advance biopharmaceutical manufacturing

Collaborate on innovative manufacturing technologies that accelerate the ability to bring life-saving and life-enhancing products to market

Solve industry
challenges

Help companies find ways to adopt and implement new technologies and approaches, enhancing patient access to medicines and vaccines

Develop the skilled workforce of the future

Cultivate a world-leading biopharmaceutical workforce through novel training and education programs

Solicitations

We achieve our mission through an RFx process that aims to advance technical and workforce development projects: 

  • Request for Proposals (RFP): A solicitation sent to the entire NIIMBL community that is to result in funding of activities
  • Request for Information (RFI): An open invitation for organizations to share information; not directly associated with funding
  • Request for Applications (RFA): A focused solicitation to particular organizations to submit an application intended to result in funding of activities

Why NIIMBL matters

The NIIMBL ecosystem’s collaborative efforts to accelerate innovative manufacturing technologies help to:

Promote economic development and enhanced national security

Increase the biopharmaceutical industry’s global competitiveness

Bring life-saving and life-enhancing products to market faster and at reduced cost, while maintaining safety and efficacy

Ensure a secure, integrated supply chain

Meet the workforce development needs of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem

Hear what our members have to say:

NIIMBL gives us a great platform to share pre-competitively

Narendra Bam
Senior Vice President, Medicine Development and Supply
GlaxoSmithKline

Collaborations accelerate our innovation

Andy Wirths
Senior Vice President of America Supply Region
AstraZeneca

Ensuring we’re able to educate and develop the biopharmaceutical manufacturing workforce right here in the U.S.

David Elkins
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Bristol Myers Squibb™

Become a member

We offer a variety of membership options that give you the flexibility to choose your organization’s level of engagement based on technology interests and priorities.

Key NIIMBL contacts

John Balchunas, Workforce Director

John Balchunas

Director, Workforce 
Barry Buckland Executive Director

Barry Buckland

Executive Director

Ryan G. Chatman, Director, Business Operations

Ryan G. Chatman

Director, Business Operations

Dawn Jory

Dawn Jory

Director, Sponsored Programs

Kelvin Lee, Institute Director

Kelvin H. Lee

Institute Director

Christopher J. Roberts, Associate Institute Director

Christopher J. Roberts

Associate Institute Director
Chris Yochim Director, Business Development

Chris Yochim

Director, Business Development

National Meeting

NIIMBL’s national meeting is an exclusive member-only event offering inspiring plenaries, engaging sessions, and thought-provoking conversations. It affords NIIMBL membership the opportunity to both celebrate our accomplishments and plan for the future.

Feedback from the 2023 National Meeting:

  • “This meeting far, far, far exceeded my expectations! Super high-quality people, plenty of time for meaningful connections.”
  • “Inspirational for the scientists and the educators who are making a difference.” 
  •  “The topics were relevant and informative. There were many takeaways to implement in workforce practices for companies and schools.”

Annual reports

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