Driving intellectual engagement with industry professionals

by Christopher Shen, Faculty - Biosepartion Module at Biocon Academy & Adjunct Professor, KGI.

Biocon Academy serves as a bridge from academia to the biotechnology industry. While many students have a good fundamental scientific foundation from their university education there is a gap in knowing how this science is applied in industry in both the technical and regulatory aspects. As a scientist currently working in the biopharmaceutical industry, it has been a great experience to share the science with students in an applied manner. I teach one of the bioprocessing modules where students learn in detail how biologic drugs are produced and processed to become an injectable drug product. We discuss many aspects of the process, from the science underlying the unit operations to practical considerations in designing and performing them. By the end of the program, students will be able to engage intellectually with industry professionals. This will make them more competitive in the marketplace and give them a head start as they begin their careers. India is one of the fastest growing countries in the world in terms of biopharmaceutical investment. This makes it a very exciting time to be at Biocon Academy and to kick-start one's career. In the coming years, I fully expect many of Biocon Academy's students to be leaders in India's booming life science industry and to shape the way forward for this important field.

Profile: 

Dr. Shen is currently Scientist at Allergan where he works in microbial process development for biopharmaceutical production. Shen has received his BS with high honors in Bioengineering  from UC Berkeley and has a PhD in Biomedical engineering from the joint program at Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University.