The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), a research and training institute for biomanufacturing in Ireland, has partnered with Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) to create the Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing, an education and training institute for biopharmaceutical processing in North America.

The Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing is expected to leverage the NIBRT curriculum to provide a US-based option with a potential market that includes 900-plus pharmaceutical-related companies in the Northeast US, according to NIBRT. The institute will use single-use engineering technology provided by General Electric.

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. The Institute is also expected to facilitate enrollment of 70 additional Jefferson students in bioprocessing engineering, from undergraduate through PhD levels.

Jefferson says it is in the process of identifying a site for the more than 20,000-square-foot planned facility in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania region and expects the first training opportunities for industry professionals to be offered in mid-2019.

Source: NIBRT