Bench to Shop: A Scientific Business Development and Management Program

Today, Bench to Shop trainees were presented a lecture concerning the role of the Animal Use and Care Committee in research and commercialization and participated in another training exercise of a mock-outbreak – this time with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and with clinical examinations of FMD infected animals.

Today, trainees traveled to Deltamune where they learned about international industry commercialization standards. They also were able to tour Deltamune’s facilities before traveling to ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR) where they learned about proper protocols for entering into the ARC-OVR biocontainment facility.

In addition to continuing their training in an ABSL3 laboratory, Bench to Shop participants discussed Burkholderia and Francisella scenarios, learned about various ABSL3 large animal studies, learned how to handle accidents, and were introduced to some really splendid, innovative tools for cutting edge scientific investigation.

Bench to Shop trainees travelled to Colorado State University’s Foothills Campus and received plenty of hands-on experience as they toured an ABSL3 laboratory with PPE. They conducted physical exams and blood collection on sheep and goats. Trainees then toured the BioMARC GMP facilities – a unique facility that can manufacture products under high-containment and GLP/GMP compliance.

Today, Bench-to-Shop trainees visited the Research Innovation Center in Fort Collins, Colorado for biosafety training – trainees learned about Select Agent regulations, animal research, and viewed a mock biosafety laboratory.

Today, Bench-to-Shop trainees learned about BSL4 laboratory best practices and wrapped up the week with a focus group evaluation.

UTMB-Galveston hosted our Bench to Shop participants again today and reviewed BSL3 laboratory best practices.

Today at UTMB-Galveston, Bench to Shop participants learned about proper PPE selection for different biosafety levels and agents, and took an exciting and insightful tour of the Galveston National Laboratory.

Bench to Shop participants heard from Dr. Pat Foley about licensing requirements and regulatory tools for veterinary biologics . Trainees also participated in an Innovative Product Pitch activity where they gave brief “elevator speeches” for future potential technologies. Tomorrow, participants will be traveling to UTMB-Galveston to receive hands-on training on working in containment.

Today, Bench-to-Shop Training participants received an introduction to the course, and heard from Dr. Mansoor Kahn, Mr. Chuck Hinton, Ms. LauraLee Hughes, Dr. David Brake, and Mr. Brett Cornwell who set the scene for the technology transition of bench research to the shop (commercialization).

The Bench to Shop Program enables 21st century academic researchers to develop the business management and legal skill sets to plan, execute, evaluate, and transition a Transboundary Animal Disease Research and Development technology to the global marketplace.

The final portion of the Bench to Shop program includes a three-week experiential training. The workshop includes traveling to College Station and Galveston, Texas; Fort Collins, Colorado; and South Africa.Past cohorts have trained with the following institutions: 1) Texas A&M University, 2) University Texas Medical Branch- Galveston, Colorado State University, and 4) Agricultural Research Council Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute The workshop incorporates hands-on trainings and showcases different universities and businesses. Make sure to apply for this opportunity by March 1st!

How to Apply - Bench to Shop Graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and early career faculty currently working with or who have an interest in pursuing basic and applied research to support detection of or protection against high consequence livestock diseases are encouraged to apply. Completed application packets (includi....