BioHub Maryland signed a life sciences and biopharma skills training agreement with the Dublin, Ireland-based National Institute of Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT). The partnership deal makes BioHub Maryland the exclusive provider of NIBRT-licensed training in the National Capital Region.
The agreement enables BioHub Maryland to offer NIBRT’s curriculum to equip veterans and members of disadvantaged communities with the skills and knowledge to enter the life sciences field. The curriculum will also provide opportunities for life science employers to upskill and train employees more efficiently. The first cohort of veteran trainees successfully completed NIBRT-licensed online courses in Fall 2023. To supplement these online courses, trainees spent time with industry professionals gaining valuable expertise in the life sciences field.
In 2024, BioHub Maryland plans to train students at a multifunctional facility equipped with industrial bioprocessing equipment. Training will include fundamentals of the life science industry, such as biomanufacturing concepts, cell and gene therapies, vaccine manufacturing, quality control skills, and data analysis. BioHub Maryland inked a training node partnership with Hood College to offer the NIBRT hands-on technical training curriculum to students at their Biomedical Research and Training Center.
State and federal funding
BioHub Maryland’s partnership with NIBRT is made possible through $5 million in state and federal funding.
“BioHub Maryland’s global partnership with NIBRT enables us to meet the industry’s needs for a highly-skilled biopharma manufacturing workforce while creating career pathways for Marylanders of all educational backgrounds into the high-paying life sciences sector,” said Kelly Schulz, CEO of the Maryland Tech Council, the largest technology and life sciences trade association in the state.
“We are delighted that BioHub Maryland has joined our Global Partners Program to help train the biopharma manufacturing workforce of the future,” added Darrin Morrissey, CEO, NIBRT. “The Global Partner Program provides access and support to our award-winning curriculum to ensure trainees receive best-in-class training on all aspects of biopharma manufacturing. We look forward to working with the great team at BioHub Maryland to deliver this training in the National Capital Region.”
“At AstraZeneca, we are proud to have a global impact on more than 100 million patient lives each year, contributing to the health of society and the planet. AstraZeneca’s presence in Maryland, at our research and development site in Gaithersburg and our manufacturing facility in Frederick, has been a significant contributor to the state’s economy and scientific research community to support the growth of the life sciences industry in the state,” said Stuart Jackson, COO, oncology R&D at AstraZeneca.
“Partnering with BioHub Maryland is essential for us to help fill the workforce development gaps in Maryland by providing relevant training to enable students of varying educational backgrounds to be prepared for an entry-level role within AstraZeneca bioprocessing functions.”
