Chemical Engineering in the Biotech Industry

1
Chemical Engineering in the Biotech Industry

• D. Davidson Easson Jr., ScD
• VP Manufacturing Process Development
• Epic Therapeutics / Baxter Healthcare

2
Biotech / Biopharmaceuticals in MAAn important
part of our economy

• MA is a leader in the biotech industry (8 of
  worlds new drug pipeline comes from MA
  companies)
• Biotech is a leading industry in MA (280
  companies with 30,000 employees)
• RD accounts for 40 of the biotech jobs in MA,
  whereas the Pharma industry average is 15,
  indicating that this is still a developing and
  growing industry
• MassBiotech 2010, BCG MBC 2002 Report
• Scott Sarazen, MassDevelopment at MBC 2004
  Annual Meeting

3
Biotech / Biopharmaceuticals in MAA young,
maturing industry

• Late stage development and manufacturing require
  chemical and biochemical engineers for
• Product Development
• Process development
• Manufacturing

4
Biotech / Biopharmaceuticals in MAShifting from
science to engineering

• Need
• Thus, there is a growing need in Massachusetts
  for chemical and biochemical engineers as the
  biotech industry matures.
• Solution
• WPI CHE Dept. should position itself to help fill
  this need.

5
Where are the future opportunities and challenges
in chemical engineering?

• Functional Areas
• Formulation Development
• Process research and development
• Process scale-up
• Equipment / Process design
• Technology transfer
• Plant design
• Manufacturing

6
Where are the future opportunities and challenges
in chemical engineering?

• Technology Areas
• Fermentation
• Cell culture
• Enzyme technology
• Homogenization, centrifugation, precipitation
• Micro Ultrafiltration
• Chromatography
• Drying technologies
• Aseptic processing
• Drug Delivery

7
What skill sets will be required?

• Versed in biochemical processes
• Integration of biology into Chem. Engineering
• Training in microbiology and aseptic technique
• Fundamentals of fermentation, cell culture and
  bioseparations
• CAD and Process modeling
• Experimental Design
• Basics of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

8
What skill sets will be required?(continued)

• Exposure to bio-analytical techniques
• Knowledge of rDNA technology
• Knowledge of Drug Development Path
• Project Management
• Team / Group work skills
• Communication skills

9
What changes do we need to make to the UG CHE
curriculum?

• Recommendations
• New degree offerings in biochemical engineering
  (BS and graduate)
• New courses to address needed skill sets
• More research opportunities in biochemical
  engineering
• More avenues for practical experience
• Courses that address advancing technologies

10
How can we make our discipline more attractive to
high school students?

• Recommendations
• All of previous list
• PR / Advertising of program
• Describe relevance of program to exciting,
  leading edge jobs within specific industries

11
ConclusionWPIs Potential to Impact Biotech in
MA

• WPI is a respected, recognized engineering school
  
• WPIs location allows it to take advantage MAs
  leading position in biotech
• WPI has already made a commitment and impact in
  biotechnology (Biology/Biotech Dept, biotech
  related courses, UMMS, Worc. Consortium, MBRP,
  MBRI, CBI, MBI etc.)
• Additional emphasis on biochemical engineering
  can help establish WPI as a leading source of
  engineers for the local biotech industry