The first – and only – education and training institute for biopharmaceutical processing in North America to be established in partnership with the internationally recognized National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT).
The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) is a global centre of excellence for training and research in bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing. NIBRT is located in a world-class facility in Dublin, Ireland. This facility is purpose built to closely replicate a modern bioprocessing plant with state-of the art equipment and enables NIBRT to offer the highest quality training and research solutions.
NIBRT's mission is to support the growth and development of all aspects of the bio-pharmaceutical industry in Ireland by becoming the global leader in bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing research, education and training. NIBRT, internationally recognized for its excellence in bioprocessing research and training, serves about 4,000 industry professionals worldwide at its headquarters in Dublin, including many from the U.S.
With new biologic therapies turning acute and debilitating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and cancer into manageable chronic diseases and sometimes cures, biologics are rapidly gaining momentum throughout the world.
And yet because of the exquisitely complex manufacturing process, and lengthier regulatory approval process compared to traditional small-molecule drugs, biologics remain challenging to produce with only a handful of centers throughout the world dedicated to training people to produce these potentially life-saving drugs.
Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) today announced it intends to close that gap by creating the Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing, the first – and only – education and training institute for biopharmaceutical processing in North America to be established in partnership with the internationally recognized National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT).
Leaders from Jefferson and NIBRT, which is based in Dublin, Ireland, announced this unprecedented global partnership today at the Biopharma Ambition Conference at Dublin Castle, with Irish Minister for Health Simon Harris, TD in attendance, with the goal of helping bring more biologic drugs to market.
When fully operational, the Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing is expected to serve 2,500 people annually, including working with the pharmaceutical companies, providing workforce training through community college partnerships and bioprocessing certifications through regional university partnerships. Importantly, the Institute will facilitate enrollment of 70 additional Jefferson students in bioprocessing engineering, from undergraduate through Ph.D. levels.
Jefferson is in the process of identifying a site for the more than 20,000-square-foot facility in the Philadelphia region and expects the first training opportunities for industry professionals to be offered in mid-2019.
"There is a significant demand for global talent to support the growth of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry and our relationship with Jefferson will help address this demand throughout the United States,” said Dominic Carolan, NIBRT CEO.
"The combination of engineering expertise from Philadelphia University and biosciences experience from Thomas Jefferson University, now merged into Jefferson, made this an especially attractive partnership option for NIBRT. The NIBRT and Jefferson teams have been working closely over the last 18 months and we look forward to the successful launch of this groundbreaking project."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
