Professional Certificate in Manufacturing of Cell & Gene Therapies and Vaccines

An Honours Bachelor's degree with minimum 2:1 award (NFQ level 8) or international equivalence in a relevant Engineering, Science or Technology degree programme.

The Professional Certificate provides training in the requisite knowledge for professional engineers and scientists seeking to work in the manufacture of cell and gene therapies and vaccines or related sectors. The programme covers the scientific, technical and regulatory issues associated with this emerging and rapidly growing field.

Teaching methods are varied including lectures, case studies and facility tours.  Material is delivered by a range of academic leaders and industry experts active in this field in a hybrid manner to allow both face to face and remote study.  Student assessment is primarily achieved through continuous assessment. 

• Demonstrate knowledge of the unique considerations, challenges and innovations involved in the manufacture of cell and gene therapies and vaccines.
• Demonstrate an understanding of what cell and gene therapies and vaccines are.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the unit operations and steps involved in both upstream and downstream cell and gene therapy and vaccine processes.
• Understand the scientific principles that must be applied to the design and development of cell and gene therapy and vaccine processes.
• Demonstrate an integrated knowledge of GMP and the regulatory issues involved in cell and gene therapy and vaccine production.

The Professional Certificate is suitable for Science and Engineering graduates currently working in the biopharmaceutical industry or looking to move into the sector, who wish to expand their skill set to take advantage of the growth in the vaccine, and cell and gene therapies space. The number of companies active in this area is currently growing with Pfizer, Takeda, WuXi, MeiraGTx, VLE, Avectas, Onk and Orbsen Therapeutics leading the way.