CODOBIO · Continuous Downstream Processing of Bioproducts

Continuous biomanufacturing is one of the grand challenges of Europe’s bio-industry. It offers a significant opportunity to boost productivity, improve competitiveness and to reduce the environmental footprint. Current progress is impaired by shortage of trained engineers and scientists, who can design and control continuous biomanufacturing processes. This Innovative Training Network (ITN) will focus on addressing the critical gaps in research training to enable advances in continuous downstream processing. An expert consortium of nine industry partners, eight universities, one research organisation, a regulatory institution and a business consultancy has developed a research and training programme to address the most urgent topics in continuous downstream processing. These are: (1) process control and modelling (including economic modelling), (2) miniaturization, scale-up and scale-down of unit operations and (3) process design and development of integrated continuous downstream processes. Furthermore, regulatory framework questions, such as comparability of product quality between batch and continuous processes will be addressed. Adding the regulatory and environmental aspects to the scientific, technological and economic approach, makes our program interdisciplinary, comprehensive and unique. Specific Ph.D. topics for 15 ESRs have been outlined. The presented research and training programme will equip the ESRs with the scientific and important transferable skills, such as IPR, entrepreneurship, data management and innovation management. The consortium’s strong track record in the management of interdisciplinary research and training will ensure effective and timely training of the next generation of leaders able to design innovative continuous facilities of the future for Europe’s bio-industries, ensuring affordability and widened access. Exposure to academic, industry and regulatory sectors will provide the researchers with unparalleled career opportunities.