Life sciences companies have been an integral part of the BETC from the start. Industry experts influenced the design of the center’s space and the choice of bench-to-pilot-scale equipment and work with WPI faculty to deliver innovative professional development opportunities. The ongoing involvement of our biotechnology partners is critical to ensure the BETC meets the real-world needs of the industry. The BETC is open to furthering relationships across the industry.
Contact the BETC for information about collaboration opportunities, including curriculum design and development, equipment donation and loans, training, and customized programs for your organization. Call +1-508-831-4879 or email betc@wpi.edu.
Customized Training Clients
At the BETC, our goal is to train you to be successful and productive at your home company, not just in our labs and classrooms. We work with you to incorporate your company’s specific bioprocessing techniques into custom programs. This gives you and your employees direct, hands-on experience with the very processes and equipment you’ll be using day to day.
The BETC has delivered customized training programs for:
o AdvantaPure; Biogen-Idec Laboratories; ImmunoGen; Lonza Biologics; and Shire, among others.
Curriculum Collaborators
Several leading companies have collaborated with the BETC to develop course curricula and educational materials for participants. Many also provide subject matter experts to serve as course instructors. Companies generously lending such time and talent include:
o AbbVie; Boston Scientific; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Eppendorf; Genzyme; Merrimack Pharmaceuticals; Pall; Pfizer; Shire; and Validation Technologies.
Industry Associations
The BETC participates in industry associations to share insight and expertise and to further the growth of the biomanufacturing industry. Groups we’re actively involved in include:
o International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE) Boston Area Chapter: The BETC serves as the ISPE’s Central Massachusetts GO Hub, one of a number of regional global outreach sites established to foster professional networking. The BETC broadcasts monthly ISPE training sessions and hosts them each year. BETC leaders serve on ISPE committees.
o Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MBC): The BETC is a member of the MBC, an association of more than 650 biotechnology companies, universities and academic institutions across the state. BETC director Kamal Rashid serves on a MBC working group focused on improving the status of biomanufacturing research and development.
o International Society for Bioprocess Technology (ISBioTech):The BETC shares ISBioTech’s dedication to the advancement of process and analytic techniques in the biomanufacturing and biopharmaceutical industry. BETC faculty have presented at ISBioTech conferences, and Director Kamal Rashid has published in the society’s Bioprocessing Journal.
o The Bio-Process Systems Alliance (BPSA) is an international industry association that promotes the adoption of single-use biomanufacturing technologies. In 2015 WPI became the first academic institution to join the BPSA. BETC faculty and staff are working with the alliance and other academic institutions to develop standards and frameworks for workforce training programs on single-use technologies.