Sue Behrens

Behrens to Share Insights with Industry Leaders at ISPE Conference

Sue Behrens, a Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) leader in the area of bioprocessing, will serve as a speaker at the 2020 International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) Facilities of the Future Conference on Jan. 30 in San Francisco.

In her role at KGI, Behrens is the George B. and Joy Rathmann Professor in Bioprocessing and Director of the Amgen Bioprocessing Center.

The 2020 ISPE Facilities of the Future Conference will explore advancements in pharmaceutical technology and what pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities will look like in the future. Featuring technical and inspirational presentations from industry leaders already planning and building “facilities of the future,” the conference will look at new manufacturing challenges, technologies, and regulatory factors impacting the ability of today’s companies to stay competitive and cost-effective.

Behrens’ presentation is titled “Collaborative Education for Talent of the Future” and it is part of a session that focuses on Pharma 4.0. It will be held on Jan. 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to speak at the ISPE Conference,” Behrens said.

“The goal will be to create a meaningful discussion on how companies can attract and train future talent. I am also excited to learn from all of the other presenters and attendees.”

Historically, industrial manufacturing has advanced from mechanization to mass production and then to automation/computerization. The next phase of manufacturing (referred to as Industry 4.0) involves integration of equipment and communication systems. The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing these same transformations (with the most recent phase referred to as Pharma 4.0).

As Behrens writes in her presentation overview, company growth can be hindered by availability of sufficiently skilled candidates and the implementation of higher levels of technology to achieve Pharm 4.0 is expected to further constrain an already limited talent pool. It is critical to focus on selecting the right employees from the start, while continuing to build competences through internal and external training opportunities.

Many candidates begin their career with a strong foundation, which can be rapidly built upon to ensure success in industry. Behrens’ presentation will describe collaborative opportunities for talent development for the industry, including academic partners (e.g. KGI Amgen Bioprocessing Center) and programs funded by federal (e.g. NIIMBL) or state (e.g. BTEC) grants.

To learn more about the ISPE Facilities of the Future Conference or to register, click here.