The Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing (JIP) has opened for business. Biologics represent about 40% of drugs in the pipeline with total global revenue of over $200 billion annually, but pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers are limited by the lack of trained professionals in this field, according to Institute officials. They add that it’s the first and only North American training institute in collaboration with the Dublin, Ireland-based National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), utilizing the GE Healthcare FlexFactory.
“JIB is in the sweet spot between healthcare and innovation,” said Jefferson president, Steve Klasko, MD.
“Today’s colleges and universities must ensure they prepare graduates for the future of work,” noted Mark L. Tykocinski, MD, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Jefferson. “At the same time, higher education needs to look beyond tuition and philanthropy to ensure its viability and vitality.
“The Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing is the first example of an academic business unit—one that diversifies the generation of resources aimed at addressing the needs of a rapidly changing society.”
JIB offers a broad range of training programs to advance the skills and knowledge of scientists, engineers, and technicians who work in process development and biomanufacturing of biopharmaceuticals and biologics, explained executive director Parviz Shamou, PhD. Through the 25,000-sq-ft flexible facility at Spring House Innovation Park in Lower Gwynedd, PA, JIB provides tactile training by combining interactive presentations, workshops, and hands-on laboratory and pilot-scale experience, he added.
In addition to open enrollment courses, JIB also offers customized training to meet industry needs with specialized courses developed with companies and delivered either at JIB or the company site. JIB expects to train approximately 2,500 bioprocessing professionals annually, with the first training session in July.
