Thomas Jefferson University’s Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing has been awarded $2 million through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to expand its Lower Gwynedd training and education facility, according to a staff report from the Jefferson.

The December award was announced by State Sen. Maria Collett. This was matched and then exceeded by the university’s capital management committee after a presentation demonstrated there was growing, industry-driven demand to expand the cell and gene therapy and advanced vaccines initiatives at JIB.

The funds will be used to add close to 40,000 square feet of additional academic and training space to the Montgomery County facility.

“This is the future,” said Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, President of Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health. “Cell and gene therapy and advanced vaccines are among the fastest growing areas in biopharmaceuticals.”

The expansion will help Jefferson train the workforce that is needed to meet demands from the rapidly growing fields. The grant will also make it possible to continue the outreach to Black and under-represented communities in biopharma, cell and gene therapy, and advanced vaccines.

Read more about the grant at the Jefferson by clicking here.