Insight into the world of biopharmaceuticals: Students from the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences visited Boehringer Ingelheim in Vienna and experienced first-hand how modern biotechnology works on a large scale. An unforgettable highlight for the budding biotechnologists!
Students on the "Molecular Biotechnology" course at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences were given an extraordinary insight into the industrial production of biopharmaceuticals. Thanks to the mediation of a former graduate, an exciting excursion led to the renowned pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG in Vienna - a world-leading center for cancer research and the development of biopharmaceutical agents.
Biotechnology shapes our everyday lives, be it in food or in highly complex therapeutics in human medicine. While the students learn about laboratory processes on a small scale at the university, the excursion opened the doors to production dimensions that leave you in awe: Fermentation systems with a volume of 15,000 liters, automated clean rooms and ultra-modern process control systems.
The group of 13 students from class NBb21 and three employees from the Biotechnology department immersed themselves in the world of process development during a guided tour. From cell cultivation (upstream processing) to product purification (downstream processing) - the state-of-the-art laboratories and efficient high-throughput technologies were impressive across the board.
The highlight of the excursion was the tour of the "Large-Scale Cell Culture" production building. Through glass facades, the students were able to observe the production and purification of biopharmaceuticals at close range. The dimensions of the production facilities and the precision of the processes left a lasting impression.
In addition to the technical insights, the participants received valuable information about career paths in biotechnology during lectures and discussions with the scientific staff. These encounters emphasized the diversity and opportunities within the industry - an inspiring aspect for the students.
The excursion not only showed that the processes taught at the university meet the requirements of industry, but also the dimensions and efficiency increases that are possible there. Our special thanks go to Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG for their warm hospitality and to our graduate Sophie, who made this special day possible through her organization and commitment.
The students will remember this practical experience for a long time to come - as motivation and orientation on their path into the world of modern biotechnology.
