Forty-seven students have become the first to commence RCSI’s new BSc in Advanced Therapeutic Technologies, which is aimed at equipping graduates with the knowledge and skills to design, create and implement innovative solutions to complex healthcare problems.

The new class joined academic staff from RCSI’s School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences and industry partners at the official launch of the new degree programme which took place today.

The programme has been designed to respond to the evolving healthcare landscape and to develop science innovators fit to tackle the most pressing healthcare-related scientific challenges of our time. It was developed with input from leading national and multinational biopharma companies as well as other enterprise partners, with expertise across a broad range of innovative healthcare technologies.

A core objective of the programme is to introduce students to cutting-edge therapies and technologies and assist them in understanding the key principles involved in the treatment of diseases.

They will learn about the processes involved in bringing new medicines to market, including the regulatory framework, and gain an appreciation of the complex manufacturing processes required for biological therapeutics such as vaccines.

Future healthcare leaders

Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice-Chancellor, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: “Healthcare is facing a new era of opportunity as it incorporates innovations and technologies in areas such as genomics, precision medicines, big data and connected health. Through the new BSc in Advanced Therapeutic Technologies, we will play our part in developing the next generation of scientists capable of innovating and collaborating to transform patient care into the future.

“I am delighted to welcome the inaugural class for this innovative new BSc programme. These students are the global biopharma industry leaders of the future. We are excited that they are beginning their journey here at RCSI and we greatly looking forward to seeing them succeed in their ambitions over many years to come.”

Dr Ben Ryan, Programme Director of the BSc in Advanced Therapeutic Technologies, said: "The ever-changing healthcare landscape has seen a major shift as it fuses digital technology with traditional science, leading to an increased focus on the development of novel therapeutic technologies. This new and innovative programme has been designed to develop innovators fit to tackle the most pressing healthcare-related scientific questions of our time.

“Our students will experience an immersive and transformative educational journey using the latest developments in education delivery. The curriculum focuses on the most recent scientific discoveries and technologies and has been developed in collaboration with national and multinational biopharma companies to ensure it addresses the current and future skills needs of the biopharma and related industries.”

Emerging technologies

Professor Judy Harmey, Deputy Director of the BSc in Advanced Therapeutic Technologies, added: “This future-focused BSc programme has been specifically designed to equip graduates with both the technical knowledge and the transversal skills competencies identified by a range of employers as critical for career success now and into the future. We look forward to the future contributions of our students in healthcare and related industries.”

The BSc in Advanced Therapeutic Technologies is an innovative four-year programme. Upon completion, students will be awarded a level 8 NFQ BSc (Hons) Degree in Advanced Therapeutic Technologies. The programme development has been funded by a €7.8 million grant from the Higher Education Authority Human Capital Initiative to the RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, to expand the School's focus on emerging and future pharma technologies.

The programme benefits from the expertise provided through our External Advisory Board which includes representatives from Novartis, Aerogen, S3 Connected Health, Inflection Biosciences, Avadel, Phion Therapeutics and Almac.