University of Birmingham becomes a National Training Centre in the ATSTN
As host to the Midlands and Wales Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre (MW-ATTC), we are delighted by the announcement that the University of Birmingham has been selected as one of three National Training Centres for the Advanced Therapies Skills Training Network (ATSTN). The university’s experience and expertise in Good Manufacturing Practice, manufacturing and bioprocessing place it in an excellent position to deliver the world-class training offered through the programme.
Backed by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) alongside Innovate UK (IUK), the ATSTN programme came in response to concerns raised by vaccine and advanced therapies manufacturing companies regarding the recruitment and retention and skilled individuals to aid the development and expansion of the industry. As a result, three institutions have been selected as National Training Centres to deliver the hands-on on site programme, while the ATSTN also offers an Online Training Platform for existing staff in the industry, as well as a Career Converter, which recommends roles in the industry based on the transferable skills of those outside of the sector.
As a National Training Centre along with RoslinCT and the National Horizons Centre, the university will deliver high quality and innovative training modules, including sessions utilising virtual reality technology, in order to provide learners with the skills and hands-on experience needed to succeed in and advance the vaccine and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) manufacturing sector. With the cell and gene therapy sector due to double in the next 3 years and more roles in bioprocessing and related areas due to increase, the National Training Centre at the University of Birmingham will address the growing need for skills in vaccine and ATMP manufacturing in the UK.
Professor Philip Newsome, Deputy Director of the Birmingham BRC and Director of the MW-ATTC, said: “We are excited that Birmingham will play a central role in delivering these much-needed skills for the UK’s advanced therapies sector. This will ensure the UK retains a world-leading position in the manufacture and delivery of advanced therapies. Moreover, it will further strengthen and leverage the rapidly-growing health and life science sector in Birmingham and the Midlands.”
Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, echoed the importance of hosting the ATSTN National Training Centre in Birmingham for the region and said: “Hosting an ATSTN National Training Centre in Birmingham is testament to the expertise we have developed in advanced therapies for the benefit of patients with complex conditions. Developing the skills to enable the therapies of the future, including new vaccines, to be delivered to patients is critical to our region and nation. And as well as leading on training, the University of Birmingham is proposing the development of new clean room facilities at Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, providing businesses with access to the critical infrastructure and expertise they need to develop, commercialise and manufacture at scale.
“To capitalise on this opportunity, extend Birmingham’s position as a leading player in advanced therapies, and deliver on the Government’s goal to be an international leader in the field, we will be seeking further support to help the delivery of innovation infrastructure in this Campus.”
The first courses offered by the University of Birmingham will launch in September 2021 and will cover ATMPs and GMP. Masters level GMP modules will also be offered covering topics including gowning and cleaning, aseptic cell processing and analytical techniques.
