U.S. Sen. Jack Reed joined URI President Marc Parlange and Pharmacy Dean Paul Larrat to announce funds for biopharmaceutical training, workforce development
The University of Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Development Institute has received $1.2 million in federal funding to strengthen teaching and training programs in an effort to increase innovation opportunities for biotechnology and biopharmaceutical ventures in Rhode Island, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed announced Tuesday.
The funds will support facility and equipment upgrades for the pharmaceutical institute, which operates a teaching, training, and analytical development facility in Avedisian Hall, home of the College of Pharmacy. Joined by URI President Marc Parlange, Pharmacy Dean Paul Larrat and industry partners, Reed spoke of Rhode Island’s potential for being a hub for biotech and the importance of training the next generation of skilled workers for the biotech and biopharmaceutical industries.
“Rhode Island is quickly becoming a hub for biotechnology,” Reed said. “We have the essential building blocks: a strong research base; topflight institutions of higher education like our flagship, URI; and the best location in the nation. I’m proud to deliver this $1.2 million in federal funding to help our state build on the strategic advantages we already have and to ensure that local biotech firms have the trained professionals needed to support and sustain growth of this industry in Rhode Island.”
Reed joined URI leadership for a tour of the PDI facility and laboratory space to see how improvements and upgrades will enhance educational programming. The Pharmaceutical Development Institute operates two facilities — a 7,000 square-foot clean manufacturing facility, divided into multiple process suites, and a 1,500 square-foot Analytical and Stability Testing Laboratory.
“Senator Reed is a strong champion for the University of Rhode Island and we are grateful for his leadership,” Parlange said. “As the state’s public flagship research institution, URI plays a critical role in developing the next generation workforce for the life sciences industry. Today’s investment will expand training and workforce development capabilities of URI’s Pharmaceutical Development Institute to provide advanced technical training to address industry needs in the state and region.”
The facility and equipment upgrades will allow the Institute to strengthen its world-class teaching and training programs and make educational programs accessible to more Rhode Islanders. Students in the enhanced programs include those enrolled at the College of Pharmacy at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Additionally, the institute provides short-term training programs in partnership with area pharmaceutical manufacturers and biotech startups to offer solutions for regional workforce development needs.
“Advanced training is critical for Rhode Island’s contribution to the biotech corridor,” Dean Larrat said. “This helps us partner with firms like Amgen to help prepare workers for high-tech and high-paying jobs. It allows us to continue the university’s and the College of Pharmacy’s efforts in pharmaceutical development, and helps in our research enterprise to develop better therapies for the patients we ultimately serve.”