With cell and gene therapies moving towards commercialisation and employment in this space predicted to reach over 6,000 jobs by 2024, this initiative aims to provide targeted training which will support this growth and address the accelerating demand for skills in the sector. The bespoke course will offer training on aseptic advanced therapy manufacturing in line with industry standards.

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) and the University of Hertfordshire today announced the launch of a new course specifically addressing the foreseeable skills gap in the manufacture of cell and gene therapies as they progress towards manufacturing at scale. Developed in a collaboration between the two organisations, this three-day course will provide theoretical and practical training on the aseptic manufacturing of cell and gene therapies in line with European regulatory guidance for good manufacturing practice (GMP).

The cell and gene therapy industry in the UK currently supports over 3,000 jobs, a six-fold increase since 2012, and employment in the sector is set to more than double by 2024 as more therapies progress towards commercialisation. Manufacturing and bioprocessing roles in particular have tripled in the past two years alone, with scientists operating in the 26 cell and gene therapy manufacturing facilities throughout the UK. Cell and gene therapies are transformative and potentially curative medicines, and it is vital that manufacturing processes are safe and efficient whilst preserving the effectiveness of these living medicines.

The new training programme is designed for staff working in cell and gene therapy manufacturing. Delegates will benefit from experience in state-of-the-art facilities and will be awarded a University of Hertfordshire accredited certificate upon successful completion of the training, contingent on assessments of their knowledge, understanding and practical skills.

Further details on the training course can be found here.

See full CGT Catapult news article by clicking here