The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has collaborated with MERCK, a German multinational science and technology company, to deliver the first Quality Control and Downstream Operations in Biomanufacturing course.

The course is part of the CSIR’s three-year African biomanufacturing workforce training and skills development programme.

This course provides comprehensive competency building and skills transfer across all aspects of biomanufacturing, with specific emphasis on quality control considerations and hands-on training on key downstream unit operations, including fill and finish.

Dr Veshara Ramdas, Senior Researcher within Future Production Chemicals, says, “We are pleased to collaborate with MERCK, who are experts in tools, services and digital platforms that empower researchers, scientists and engineers operating on small scale with industry in stages of discovery.”

Dr Daniel Palm and Shahjahan Cheriya from MERCK presented lectures and demonstrations on various downstream operations such as tangential flow filtration, integrity testing and sterile filtration.

“We have formed notable relationships with many local industry collaborators who provided Good Manufacturing Practices, Quality Control and Quality Assurance training. This enables future collaboration for research and development processes, linked to the train-the-trainers philosophy, to bridge the gap in academia and hands-on training,” adds Dr Ramdas.

Twenty-seven participants from Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe have completed the course. The graduation took place on Thursday, 19 September 2024, at the CSIR International Convention Centre.

The participant group consisted of current staff in the biomanufacturing sector and, for skills expansion, new and developing staff within biomanufacturing and facilities currently under construction which will require a skilled workforce. For more information on how you can participate, contact us via email at BIDC@csir.co.za.