Advanced Biotherapeutics: Manufacturing and Regulatory Affairs MS

The Master of Science in Advanced Biotherapeutics: Manufacturing and Regulatory Affairs ٳ at 51 launched in fall 2022 in collaboration with theThomas Jefferson University’sInstitute of Bioprocessing.

What is biotherapeutic manufacturing?

Biotherapeutic manufacturing is the process for which biotechnology is used to develop biological medicinal products.While global companies continue to discover new, small-molecule therapeutic agents, an important paradigm shift to large-molecule, biopharmaceutical products as well as individualized medicine (advanced biotherapeutics) has been made possible due to new advances in the biotechnology and bioprocessing communities.

Originally focused on protein replacement and monoclonal antibody based therapies, theprofoundly rapid development and production of new therapeutics such ascell and gene therapies and COVID-19 vaccines based on messenger-RNA technology has further expanded the market and the need for a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. This program addresses the need for professionals with biotherapeutic manufacturing expertise.

This expansion affects every aspect of drug development, including manufacturing techniques, analytical methodsand regulatory processes.

51 and Thomas Jefferson University

The Advanced Biotherapeutics: Manufacturing and Regulatory Affairs MS program addresses the shortage of individuals trained in regulatory affairs and the manufacturing process of biotherapeutic agents. The degree unites the strengths of two regional institutions to provide an academic nexus for workforce development in the growing field of manufacturing and development of biologics and biosimilars.

  • 51’sprovides courses in regulatory science practices, strategies and quality assurance expectations, providing a solid foundation in the practical applications of RA and QA, which is critical to biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing.

  • Thomas Jefferson University’s Institute of Bioprocessing offers didactic and laboratory-based courses providing students withvaluable hands-on experience ٳ development, manufacturingand analytical processes associated with the production of biopharmaceutical therapeutics. The courses are offered at the state-of-the-art Jefferson Institute located in the Spring House Innovation Park in Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania.

This groundbreaking master’s degree serves as a major vehicle for professional workforce development both locally and nationally.The curriculum combines theoretical and hands-on biotherapeutic manufacturing process and analytical experience with mandated regulatory and quality assurance expectations that are essential to establishing and verifying good manufacturing, laboratory, clinical and pharmacovigilance practices.Starting salaries in thisspecialized industry start atapproximately $90,000.

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Logo that reads Thomas Jefferson University

Learning Objectives

Students completing the MS in Advanced Biotherapeutics: Manufacturing and Regulatory Affairs should be able to demonstrate knowledge in the following areas.

  • A broad foundation in U.S. and global regulatory landscapes for biologics and biosimilars

  • Regulatory strategies for nonclinical and clinical studies for biologics and biosimilar products

  • Chemistry, manufacturing and control (CMC) strategies for biologics and biosimilars

  • Phase-appropriate regulatory compliance elements applicable to biologics and biosimilars

  • Fundamentals of quality by design (QbD) and fundamentals of statistical process control principles as relevant to biologics and biosimilars manufacture

  • Mastery of core engineering, scientific, regulatory and quality principles utilized in the development and manufacture of biopharmaceuticals, biologics and advanced therapies

  • Biopharmaceutical manufacture operations, including bioreactor, chromatography, formulation and product concentration operations

  • Process development concepts, from early to late phase development and launch

Program Format & Curriculum

Each university will offer its own MS degree comprised of 36 credits. Students will have the choice of receiving theMS in Advanced Biotherapeutics: Manufacturing and Regulatory Affairsfrom either 51 or Thomas Jefferson University,depending upon their area of interest.

  • Manufacturing at Thomas Jefferson University

  • Regulatory affairs at 51

Students with a greater interest in the biotherapeutic manufacturing process are required to submit a formal application for admission to Thomas Jefferson University, and students with a greater interest in regulatory affairs should submit a formal application for admission to 51. In either instance the student will complete an informal nondegree-seeking application to the partner institution to enroll in courses and transfer or apply the required credits to their home school.

  • Each university will provide 15 credits of course work towards the MS degree (for a total of 30 credits between the two schools).

  • Students select the remaining sixcredits (of the required 36) based on their individual interest, focusing on manufacturing at Jefferson or RA and QA principles through 51.

Students must complete 15 credits in 51 RA and QA courses (four courses are required and one is an elective).

Required Courses

  • Drug Development (5459)

  • Biologics/Biosimilars: A Regulatory Overview (5515)

  • Global CMCs—Biologics (5577)

  • Vaccines: RA and QA Aspects (5572)

Elective Courses

Students then choose at least one course from the following elective RA and QA courses.

  • Biotechnology: Bioprocess Basics (5471)

  • Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (8005)

  • Statistical Quality Control (5451)

  • Validation of FUE (Facilities, Utilities, and Equipment (5468)

  • Process Validation (5474)

  • Advanced Good Manufacturing Practices – Defining “c” (5479)

  • Production of Sterile Products (5492)

  • Sterilization Processes (5493)

  • Development of Sterile Products (5501)

  • Microbiological Concepts in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (5512)

  • Regulatory Submissions (5514)

  • Cleaning Validation (5516)

  • Clinical Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance (5538*)

  • Regulatory Intelligence (5544)

  • Post-Marketing Safety Surveillance (5571*)

  • Quality Systems Management (5574)

  • Regulatory Sciences: Managing the Guidelines for Quality (5575)

  • Process Analytical Technology (PAT) (5625)

  • Statistical Design of Experiments (DOE) (5627)

  • Process Monitoring (5629)

*Students may pursue one or the other course, but not both.

Thomas Jefferson University’sInstitute of Bioprocessing Courses

Students must also complete a minimum of 15 credits in biopharmaceutical manufacturing from Thomas Jefferson University’sInstitute of Bioprocessing, including the following required courses.

  • Bioprocess Engineering for Scientists (ENGR 609)

  • Introduction to Biopharmaceutical and Biologics Production (ENGR 621)

  • Principles of Biopharmaceutical Process Engineering (ENGR 611)

  • Biopharmaceutical Process Operations (ENGR 604)

Students must take threemore credits from the following Institute of Bioprocessing electives.

  • Introduction to Upstream Unit Operations: Cell Culture and Harvesting (ENGR 601)

  • Introduction to Downstream Unit Operations: Purification, Buffer Exchange and Concentration ENGR 602)

  • QbD, Process Selection and Optimization (ENGR 605)

  • Vector and Cell Line Design (ENGR 613)

  • Biotherapeutic Formulation (ENGR 622)

  • Vaccine Formulation (ENGR 614)

  • Technical and Regulatory Aspects of Analytical Method Validation (ENGR 618)

  • Emerging Therapeutics (ENGR 612)

Requirements

Students must have a science or engineering degree at the undergraduate or graduate level with an overall GPA of 3.0 to pursue the MS.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51’s commitment to access and affordability, this program offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates at 51 are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more.

You can view the full on the Student Financial Services website. You can also view the .

Accreditation

51’s departments and programs are accredited by the.

PH-ABMR-MS

Additional Program Information

Available online.