The basics:
Mercer County Community College has officially launched its Aseptic Biomanufacturing Program along with an Aseptic Mobile Laboratory. The first-of-its-kind clean lab trailer is now stationed at the college’s James Kerney Campus in Trenton.
Johnson & Johnson, the MCCC Foundation and NJBioFutures supported the Oct. 16 announcement. The launch featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony as well as a tour of the 30-foot lab. The unit is equipped with state-of-the-art tools such as a centrifuge, biosafety cabinet, incubator, vortex mixer and cell counter.
Key things to know:
- Students can enroll year-round online in short-term programs:
- Good Manufacturing Practice Professional
- Pharmaceutical Aseptic Cleaning
- Aseptic Biomanufacturing
- Programs range from five days to several weeks and award non-credit certificates
- Graduates gain skills for high-demand jobs in the biomanufacturing industry, including cell and gene therapy
- The program encourages students to pursue an Associate of Science in Biotechnology or Biology
- MCCC is also working with Raritan Valley Community College, Middlesex College and NJBioFutures to expand biotechnology training opportunities
Public-private partnership
NJBIZ reported on the February launch of NJBioFutures. Johnson & Johnson serves as a founding sponsor of the innovative public-private partnership. The collaboration aims to promote workforce development in this vital sector.
“We are beyond excited to offer students access to the latest and greatest in workforce training in biotechnology and biomanufacturing,” said MCCC President Deborah Preston. “We are fortunate that Johnson & Johnson and NJBioFutures have chosen to support our college and the MCCC Foundation in launching this important endeavor.”
“NJBioFutures is an innovative public-private partnership that will ensure that pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing companies have access to the highly skilled workforce they need to continue to thrive and grow here in the Garden State,” said Aaron Fichtner, president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. “We are pleased that Mercer County Community College is working closely with Johnson & Johnson, Raritan Valley Community College and Middlesex College on this exciting initiative.”
Sparking interest in life sciences
Kimberly Lounds Foster is vice president, Advanced Therapies Supply Chain, for Johnson & Johnson. She said by bringing hands-on science and manufacturing learning directly to students in communities across the state, this program can spark early interest in life sciences and prepare the future workforce for the specialized skills required to manufacture advanced therapies.
“The launch of Mercer County Community College’s new Aseptic Biomanufacturing Program and aseptic mobile laboratory is an inspiring example of how innovation in education meets students where they are to open doors to future careers,” said Lounds Foster. “Johnson & Johnson is honored to help grow a robust pipeline of talent that will drive New Jersey’s future in high-demand sectors like biopharmaceuticals and cell and gene therapy.”
The launch … is an inspiring example of how innovation in education meets students where they are to open doors to future careers.
– Kimberly Lounds Foster, Johnson & Johnson
Gonzalo Perez serves as assistant vice president of academic affairs, workforce education and innovation at MCCC. He stressed that this program is the first of its kind.
“And we’re thrilled to offer it right here on our Trenton campus,” said Perez, who noted that New Jersey is leading the way in the cell and gene therapy revolution – with demand for skilled professionals in this space set to jump 75% over the next two years.
“We’re proud that students who train at MCCC will be on the front line of innovation and entering fields in the rapidly growing biomanufacturing industry while strengthening our local community,” said Perez.
