Content
Breadcrumbs
BTEC sponsors, participates in roundtable on talent for biopharma
Published May 14, 2020
Business North Carolina recently held a virtual roundtable focused on the need for talent in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The event was sponsored by BTEC, BioNetwork, NCBIO, the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, Pitt County Development Commission and AveXis. The panel discussion focused on the changing nature of the industry, the growing need for a highly trained and prepared workforce, and the ability of the state’s education and professional development infrastructure to meet these needs in the future.Representatives from industry firms and organizations and North Carolina colleges and universities participated in the discussion. Panelists included Samuel M. Taylor, president, North Carolina Biosciences Organization (moderator); John Balchunas, workforce director, National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, and assistant director, Professional Development Programs at BTEC; Brent Harpham, executive director for BioNetwork and Life Sciences, N.C. Community College System; Rick Lawless, training manager, AveXis; Martin Meeson, president and CEO, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies; Hernán Navarro, director, Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, N.C. Central University; Mike Renn, director, instructor, N.C. Pharmaceutical Services Network at Pitt Community College; and Kimberly van Noort, senior vice president for academic affairs, chief academic officer, UNC System.
Download the Business North Carolina article (PDF) summarizing the roundtable, or read it online in the May 2020 issue of the magazine.