Health, Science

IBIS Therapeutic Engineering and Bioproduction in Biotechnology and Health

  • ECTS

    120 credits

  • Duration

    2 years

  • Training Structure

    School of Pharmacy, School of Science

  • Language(s) of Instruction

    French

Overview

The IBIS track in Therapeutic Engineering and Bioproduction in Health Biotechnology (Red Biotechnology) within the Health Biology concentration is designed to provide students with the training needed to develop and produce the therapies of the future using biotechnology tools. Scientific advances in our understanding of human diseases are leading to innovations in healthcare, most of which are driven by biotechnology companies. The dynamic growth in France and worldwide in the creation of highly specialized companies with unique expertise must be accompanied by the evolution of educational programs leading to these new professions and skills.

These therapies are complex in nature and application

therapeutic applications, and developing them will therefore require multidisciplinary and cross-functional skills in biotechnology—a need that the IBIS program is designed to address. The IBIS program is based on the needs of industry players in the sector, which are outlined in the report by LEEM (the professional organization of pharmaceutical companies) titled “Skills Plan: Biotech/Innovations, Health 2020.”

The topics covered include:

- Biotechnology tools designed to discover innovative therapeutic molecules, whether biological (recombinant proteins and antibodies, cells) or chemical in nature.

- Bioprocess engineering for the industrial production of these compounds will also be developed, as will their formulation and delivery (nanobiotechnologies).

In addition, students will have the opportunity to explore agro-environmental (green and yellow), marine (blue), and industrial (white) biotechnologies through interdisciplinary courses offered in collaboration with other master’s programs. Furthermore, an agreement is planned with Polytech Montpellier to offer a dual program leading to a dual degree in engineering and a master’s degree:

      - to two students per year from Polytech Montpellier, in the Biological and Food Engineering (GBA) program, to help them enter the health biotechnology sector (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc.)

      - to 2 students per year from the Biology and Health/IBIS master's program, to help them enter the agri-food and nutrition sector.

In summary, the IBIS program is an innovative training program in the field of health biotechnology, designed to meet the needs of industry professionals by offering an applied, multidisciplinary, hands-on, and integrated curriculum tailored to students in the sciences, pharmacists, engineers, and those pursuing continuing education.

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The Benefits of the Training Program

Innovative Teaching Methods

The IBIS program will place a strong emphasis on innovative teaching methods, particularly through project-based learning and real-world scenarios for students (fictional projects, experimental projects, etc.). As part of this program, students will have access to Learning Labs and R&D-pilot-scale bioproduction equipment. Thus, in addition to engaging, reinforcing, and building students’ knowledge, this teaching approach will prepare them for their future careers, which require adaptability, creativity, teamwork, versatility, initiative, and curiosity.

Learning English is essential in the IBIS curriculum and is clearly highlighted through a dedicated course unit in the second semester of the first year of the Master’s program. In addition, several course units and projects will be conducted entirely in English.

PARTNERSHIP

A partnership has been established with Polytech Montpellier tooffer a dual Engineering/Master’s degree to two students per year from Polytech Montpellier’s Biological and Food Engineering (GBA) program, in the field of biotechnology and health (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc.). Conversely, two students from the Biology and Health/IBIS Master’s program will also be able to pursue an engineering degree in the field of agri-food and nutrition.

For certain course units, the IBIS educational program is supported by the Labex Mablmprove (dedicated to the improvement of therapeutic antibodies). This Labex is designed to develop training in the field of therapeutic antibodies at the national level. It will also provide IBIS students with access to internships in this field, with stipends covered by the Labex; the Labex also plans to fund CIFRE theses in collaboration with companies focused on therapeutic antibodies.

Anexchange program with the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI, MA, USA, https://www.wpi.edu/) has also been established. This agreement will allow two students to participate in an internship in biotechnology or bioinformatics at one of the host laboratories.

Theacademic research institutions to whichfaculty members are affiliated may serve as potential sites for IBIS students’ M1 internships. These institutions belong to various clusters, such as the Rabelais Biology-Health Cluster (IRCM, IRMB, INM, IGH, IGF), the BALARD Chemistry Cluster (ICGM, IBMM), and the Agropolis International Cluster (IATE, Qualisud).

IBIS students will have access tothe EMBnet (The Global Bioinformatics Network)academic network , which brings together laboratories and companies in the field of bioinformatics.

We will also be able to draw on an industry network bothfrom an educational perspective (presentations by professionals, site visits, etc.) and from the perspective of career placement (internship opportunities, professional training contracts, future employers). Some examples of partner companies include: Deinove, Protéus, LFB, Sanofi, Servier, SATT, Cisbio...

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Objectives

Upon completion of the IBI program, students will have mastered all the concepts necessary to create a biotechnology-based therapy, produce it, formulate it, and modify it with a view to implementing personalized treatment for patients. The concepts learned will apply not only to healthcare biotechnology but also to other fields of biotechnology (nutrition, cosmetology, agro-environment, etc.).

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Expertise and Skills

Scientific knowledge

- -omics Strategies

- High-throughput screening, drug design

- Production and Engineering of Biopharmaceuticals

- Immunotherapy and monoclonal antibodies

- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology

- Bioproduction Strategy

- Cell banks

- Process Engineering

- Physical chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry

- Development and monitoring of bioprocesses (planning, scheduling, improvement of industrial performance)

- Biopharmaceuticals, nanobiotechnology

- Life sciences engineering (e.g., genetic and protein engineering)

Soft Skills

- Multidisciplinarity/Interdisciplinarity

- Cross-functional approach

- Project and team management

- Spoken and written English

Environmental Knowledge

- Industrial Property

- Risk management (biological and financial)

- Science and Technology Monitoring

- Ethics and Regulations

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Organization

Program

This program is jointly offered by the Science and Pharmacy departments, providing students with a multidisciplinary education at the intersection of pharmaceutical, biological, and engineering sciences.

The M1, a common foundation of knowledge in biotechnology and health:

The M1 program is designed to provide students with a common foundation of knowledge in biotechnology, regardless of their prior educational background. In line with a multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary approach, the coursework focuses on engineering sciences: Functional Genomics, Statistics Applied to Biology, Bioinformatics, Immunotechnology, and Bioprocess Engineering. A significant portion of the curriculum is also devoted to professional development, including courses in scientific English and communication, as well as a long-term internship (minimum duration of 4 to 5 months).

The M2 program offers a common foundation in innovation management, followed by a specialization in Therapeutic Engineering or Bioproduction, and is open to apprenticeship students:

The M2 program is structured as follows for Semester 1:

       - a core curriculum (10 ECTS) covering intellectual property, innovation management and financing, bioethics, and project and risk management, consisting of 3 Course Units (UE);

       - and two elective specialization tracks (20 ECTS) that allow students to progressively specialize in Therapeutic Engineering or Bioproduction.

          . The specialization in biotherapeutics engineering consists of 5 course units: New Drug Discovery, Biotherapeutics Engineering, Formulation of Biopharmaceuticals and Biomaterials, Nanotechnologies for Health, and Multidisciplinary Lab Project;

           . The specialization in bioproduction consists of 5 course units: Bioprocess Engineering (continuous and fed-batch; specific aspects of healthcare applications; production of recombinant proteins), Bioproduction and Utilization of Microbial Biodiversity, and Multidisciplinary Lab Project;

Openness to learning:

The M2 program is open to apprenticeship. Three course periods are designated. In the traditional format, these are interspersed with project periods, a long-term internship, and breaks; and in the work-study format, they are interspersed with periods spent at a company and breaks. Regardless of the M2 format chosen by the student, the second semester is entirely devoted to a long-term internship, preferably in an industrial setting, in order to facilitate the students’ professional integration at their internship or apprenticeship site.

Courses that incorporate innovative teaching methods:

The IBIS program places a strong emphasis on innovative teaching methods, focusingin particular on project-based learning and real-world scenarios for students (such as experimental projects...). This approach helps “boost students’ motivation, encourage them to venture beyond disciplinary boundaries, and thereby engage their cross-disciplinary skills; it also familiarizes students with the complexity of today’s professional world, while helping them develop a personal and professional plan as they progress through their studies.”(Reverdy, Catherine, 2013, “Project-Based Learning: From Research,” *Technologie, Sciences et Techniques Industrielles* https://eduscol.education.fr/sti/sites/eduscol.education.fr.sti/filles/ressources/techniques/5180/5180-186-p46.pdf.

Thus, in addition to engaging students, reinforcing their knowledge, and building their understanding, this teaching approach will prepare them for their future careers, which require adaptability, creativity, teamwork, versatility, initiative, and curiosity.

These innovative teaching methods are introduced as early as the first year of the master’s program (M1) and come into full effect in the second year (M2), particularly through the “multidisciplinary lab projects,” which are worth 5 to 9 ECTS credits depending on the chosen specialization. This multidisciplinary project spans the entire semester, with several weeks set aside for intensive work. It is conducted entirely in English and is based on “learning by doing.” It will enable students to develop their professional skills: not only knowledge but also technical skills and soft skills (teamwork, multidisciplinary collaboration, project management, etc.). The first part takes place in the Learning Lab (funded by the Muse Take-Off 1§2 calls for proposals), and the second part is conducted in laboratory classrooms using pilot-scale equipment. As part of this program, students will be required to successfully complete an R&D project, such as establishing a recombinant protein production process. Students will be responsible for all stages of the process: from genetic engineering and the development of the producer strain to pilot-scale production and protein purification. 

Students operate using a project-based management approach. This project-based work method is essential for future executives—the students in the IBIS program—to understand.

 

 

 

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Select a program

Master's Degree (Year 1) in IBIS: Therapeutic Engineering and Bioproduction in Biotechnology and Health

Master's Degree (Year 1) in IBIS: Therapeutic Engineering and Bioproduction in Biotechnology and Health

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  • Experimental Models in Biomedical Research

    5 credits
    • Experimental CT Models

    • Experimental Models in Biomedical Research CC

  • Protein Engineering

    5 credits
    • CT Protein Engineering

    • CC Protein Engineering

  • Applied Statistics in Biology

    5 credits
  • Bioinformatics and Antibody Bioinformatics

    5 credits
  • Immunotechnology (PHARMACY Course Unit)

    5 credits
    • CT Immunotechnology

    • Immunotechnology CC

  • English_MSDS

    5 credits
  • Bioprocess Engineering - Metabolism and Bioproduction

    3 credits
  • Bioprocess Engineering - Batch

    2 credits
  • Long-term internship

    20 credits
    • Internship Supervisor Evaluation

    • Internship Report

    • Internship Defense

Master 2 IBIS: Therapeutic Engineering and Bioproduction in Biotechnology and Health

Master 2 IBIS: Therapeutic Engineering and Bioproduction in Biotechnology and Health

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  • Bioproduction and Utilization of Microbial Biodiversity

    3 credits
  • Recombinant Protein Production Engineering

    3 credits
  • Multidisciplinary Lab Project 1 (Pharmacy Course)

    3 credits
  • Bioethics and Regulation (Pharmacy Program)

    3 credits
  • Bioprocess Engineering II: Specifics of Applications

    2 credits
  • Promoting Research and Innovation

    5 credits
  • Continuous and Fed-Batch Bioprocess Engineering

    3 credits
  • Project Management and Risk Management

  • Multidisciplinary Lab Project 2

    6 credits
  • Long-term internship_FDS

    30 credits

M2 IBIS Therapeutic Engineering and Bioproduction in Biotechnology and Health APPRENTICESHIP

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  • Bioproduction and Utilization of Microbial Biodiversity

    3 credits
  • Recombinant Protein Production Engineering

    3 credits
  • Multidisciplinary Lab Project 1 (Pharmacy Course)

    3 credits
  • Bioethics and Regulation (Pharmacy Program)

    3 credits
  • Bioprocess Engineering II: Specifics of Applications

    2 credits
  • Promoting Research and Innovation

    5 credits
  • Continuous and Fed-Batch Bioprocess Engineering

    3 credits
  • Project Management and Risk Management

  • Multidisciplinary Lab Project 2

    6 credits
  • Long-term internship_FDS

    30 credits

Admission

Registration Procedures

Applications for the M1 program can be submitted through the following platforms: 

  • French and European students: Follow the “Mon Master” procedure on the website: https://www.monmaster.gouv.fr/
  • International students from outside the EU: Follow the “Études en France” procedure: https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/authentification/login.html
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Target Audience

The program is open to M1-level students in science, technology, and health from:

- Bachelor's Degree in Life Sciences

- Bachelor's Degree in Science and Technology

- L3 CMI (Master's in Engineering) in Biotechnology

- Pharmacist (DFASP1) in the research track.

Other students who have not necessarily studied biology (e.g., third-year chemistry majors) may also be admitted to the program, depending on their application and, if necessary, after completing a refresher course (such as a MOOC).

A limited number of students from other Biology and Health M1 programs, health-related programs (pharmacists, doctors, medical residents), or engineering programs (partnership with Polytech Montpellier, Biological and Food Engineering) will also be eligible to enter the M2 program directly.

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Mandatory Prerequisites

A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a foundation in (bio)chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, microbiology, and immunology.

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Recommended Prerequisites

Prior training in biotechnology is a plus.

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And then

Continuing Education

Students may, if they wish, pursue a doctoral degree in an academic or industrial setting.

Other students also have the opportunity to specialize in project management by enrolling in business schools.

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Employment Placement

The primary target sector is the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector, whether within:

- Biotechnology companies

- Pharmaceutical and veterinary industries

- CRO (Contract Research Organization) and CMO (Contract Manufacturing Organization)

- Consulting firms

- Public research organizations (CNRS, Inserm, universities, etc.)

- University Hospital

- Partnership and Commercialization Services (Acceleration and Technology Transfer Companies (SATT), Inserm Transfert, etc.)

- Competitiveness Clusters 

- Biotechnology incubators

in the following fields:

- Biotechnology Project Manager

- Pharmaceutical R&D Engineer

- Pharmacist in Charge in the Pharmaceutical Industry

- Bioproduction Project Manager

- Process Development Engineer

- Engineer in Drug Delivery Systems

- Research Engineer at a public laboratory or research facility

- SATT Maturation Engineer

- Business Development Manager for Biotechnology Transfers

- Industrial Property Specialist

 

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