Degree Programs and Certificate
Program Overview
Biopharmaceuticals including biotech drugs and vaccines represent an emerging frontier for both existing and new therapeutic agents. They often tend to be complex and more expensive and present unique manufacturing, distribution, storage, and handling challenges.
Even though biopharmaceuticals currently represent less than 20% of prescription drug spending, they are expected to grow as more biotechnology and genomic drugs becoming available. Today's estimates show that between 600 and 800 biotech drugs are currently in various stages of research and development with 150 in the final stages of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process. These biopharmaceuticals are most commonly used to treat anemia/neutropenia, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and multiple sclerosis, with an annual per-patient cost ranging from $10,000 to $250,000. Many have or will reach blockbuster status.
Many opportunities are available for developmental scientists, engineers, and managers who understand bioprocess development, regulatory affairs, and targeted formulation as well as scientific computing, database and information management, and automation skills. These new professionals will use their knowledge throughout biopharmaceutical product and process design, development, and eventual manufacturing and distribution of the atypical pharmaceuticals and novel biomedical combination products.
To thrive in this new environment, an understanding of the rapid changes in global, social, regulatory, legal and business spheres is critical in addition to the technical issues mentioned above.