The Edinburgh-based, cell and gene therapy/ATMP contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) has just been confirmed as a national training center, as part of the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) sponsored Advanced Therapies Skills Training Network (ATSTN) initiative.
That network was established to develop state-of-the-art vaccine and advanced therapy manufacturing training capabilities online and across the UK.
Along with SULSA, RoslinCT will also work closely with Edinburgh Napier University, the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre and Ayrshire College in providing training capabilities complementary to the ones being developed at the National Horizons Centre - the UK's center of excellence for the biosciences industry - which focus on manufacturing techniques.
The CDMO said its training academy will deliver practical and classroom courses at its newly built facility in Edinburgh.
Aimed at the current advanced therapies and vaccine manufacturing industry workforce, academics and those enrolled in further and higher education, the week-long courses will provide basic, practical training in sterile manufacturing within a cleanroom environment, plus an introduction to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) training within an industrial setting.
Topics covered
The topics covered will include gowning and cleanroom behavior, environmental monitoring and control, aseptic cell processing, and analytical techniques.
UK companies involved in the vaccine and advanced therapy industry manufacturing will be able to train their staff ensuring they are well versed in such essential skills prior to entering a GMP manufacturing establishment, said RoslinCT.
“Developing the next generation of highly skilled individuals in the life science sector is key to the UK economy,” said Janet Downie, CEO of that contract manufacturing organization.
Matthew Durdy, who heads up the Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Catapult, which coordinates the ATSTN, also commented on the development: “The UK’s ATMP capabilities are world-leading and growing rapidly. Working with the industry and high-profile institutes such as RoslinCT and the Scottish Consortium we can deliver more skilled people to fuel this growth. It is a win-win situation: helping companies, creating career opportunities and accelerating life-changing medicines.”
