A roadmap towards Ireland's membership of BBMRI-ERIC

BioBANC Symposium has become a key forum for the Irish biobanking community. The third annual event focused on networking and quality, featuring a workshop to explore the role and value of networked biobanking for Ireland. The Director General of BBMRI-ERIC advanced these discussions by addressing an audience of interdisciplinary experts, high-level stakeholders, and policymakers from the Irish biobanking community, as well as representatives from the Health Research Charities Ireland (HRCI), the National Clinical Trials Office (NCTO), the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN-ERIC) research infrastructure, and the Department of Health.

A panel discussion brought together an array of experts from patient advocacy, clinical trials, pharmaceutical industry, government, healthcare policy and BBMRI-ERIC representation to explore the integration of Ireland into the BBMRI-ERIC network. This diverse panel discussed strategies to enhance Ireland's biobanking capabilities and leverage international collaborations. Themes explored included the benefits, gaps and changes needed if Ireland was to consider membership of BBMRI-ERIC. VEVOX live polling was used to gauge audience views and questions on posed topics, enabling interactive audience participation and capturing real-time feedback to enrich the discussion.

Substantial benefits that BBMRI-ERIC membership would bring for Ireland were highlighted, including enhanced infrastructure, standardised practices, and greater economic opportunities. Attendees also delved into how Ireland could address current gaps and align its biobanking operations with broader European standards. The discussion identified several critical themes and recommendations to address the need for funding, legislative support, education, public engagement, and strategic planning.

This article aims to encapsulate the discussions and outcomes of BioBANC Symposium III, focusing on the strategic moves Ireland must consider harnessing the full potential of its biobanking community. It serves not just as a record of proceedings but as a guide for action, urging stakeholders at all levels to collaborate towards a unified goal.