July 29, 2021 (Montreal, QC and Toronto, ON) – The fast growth of cell and gene therapies has made it difficult for the global industry to keep up with talent requirements. The volume of clinical trials around the world – approximately 1,200 at this time – puts pressure on manufacturers to scale-up the production of cells and viral vectors. CellCAN, a knowledge mobilization network in cell and gene therapies (CGTs), and CCRM, a leader in developing and commercializing regenerative medicine-based technologies and CGTs, are responding to that challenge by launching the Canadian Advanced Therapies Training Institute (CATTI).
“It requires tremendous expertise, under good manufacturing practice (GMP) conditions, to produce cell and gene therapies,” explains Michael May, President and CEO of CCRM. “The Canadian government has invested $2B into the biomanufacturing sector. We need to build a large, trained workforce in Canada to meet the needs of the industry and future biomanufacturing demands. CATTI’s learning pathway will ensure this happens and provide people for jobs. CellCAN has been perfecting its training program for years, and we are excited to partner with them on this crucial initiative.”
“CATTI will address a critical and unmet need in Canada by creating highly-qualified personnel who are certified under GMP and qualified for workflow under aseptic conditions to manufacture cancer immunotherapies, cell and gene therapies, vaccines and other biotherapeutic applications,” says Vanessa Laflamme, Chief Operating Officer of CellCAN and CEO of CATTI. “CCRM has expertise in GMP manufacturing and a track record of building specialized teams and infrastructure, so they’re the ideal partner for us.”
The Institute offers e-learning à la carte courses and predefined e-learning paths, and will soon offer on-site hands-on training and tailored training. It is leveraging Canadian strengths in artificial intelligence, serious games and virtual training to offer students innovative training solutions to the global field. By incorporating interactive hands-on training, both on-site and in a virtual context, CATTI can offer a superior training program to a greater number of people. The focus on maximizing training efficiencies reduces the time required to reach autonomy and deliver the most qualified work-ready talent to the job site.
CATTI has been recognized as a training provider for the Next Generation (NGen) Advanced Manufacturing AmpUp program. It provides financial support for employees of NGen member companies (membership is free) to enroll in skills development and certification programs offered by established trainers, like CATTI. The Advanced Therapies GMP Onboarding is offered to NGen members at half the cost. Some Canadian facilities are already benefiting from the program.
Canadian and international GMP facility experts and industry thought leaders are supporting curriculum development.
About CellCAN CellCAN is a pan-Canadian not-for-profit organization established in 2014 as part of the Government of Canada’s Networks of Centers of Excellence. CellCAN’s mission is to improve the quality, safety and feasibility of cell and gene therapy in Canada through optimal manufacturing practices. CellCAN strives to fully exploit this potential by providing an unprecedented level of collaboration among all key players in the field of cell and gene therapy by bringing together Canada's leading cell manufacturing centres and transversal cores (manufacturing product characterization, bioengineering, ethical and legal regulatory policy) into a common seal of quality for the benefit of Canadian patients. CellCAN is also an industry-recognized leader with a proven track record in novel good manufacturing practices (GMP) training programs. For more information, visit www.cellcan.com.
About CCRM CCRM is a global, public-private partnership headquartered in Canada. It receives funding from the Government of Canada, industry clients and leading academic partners. CCRM supports the development of regenerative medicines and associated enabling technologies, with a specific focus on cell and gene therapy. A network of researchers, leading companies, strategic investors and entrepreneurs, CCRM accelerates the translation of scientific discovery into new companies and marketable products for patients, with specialized teams, funding, and infrastructure. CCRM is the commercialization partner of the University of Toronto's Medicine by Design. CCRM is hosted by the University of Toronto. Visit us at ccrm.ca.
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For further information, please contact: CCRM Stacey Johnson Director Communications and Marketing 647-309-1830 stacey.johnson@ccrm.ca CellCAN Marie-Josée Nantel Consultante en relations médias, Exponentiel Conseil 514-603-2290 mjnantel@Exponentielconseil.com
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