Future-Oriented Training for Cell and Gene Therapy Professionals

The Future-Oriented Training for Cell and Gene Therapy Professionals (Dutch: Toekomstgerichte Training voor Cel- en Gentherapie Professionals) project develops post-HBO courses for professionals working with Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), focusing on cell and gene therapy products in cleanroom environments. The project is part of PharmaNL’s Human Capital Growth program and addresses the growing need for well-trained personnel in Dutch academic and clinical centers. The project started in January 2026 and will run for four years.

The project is led by Emma de Pater (Erasmus MC) and Martie Verschuren (Avans University of Applied Sciences), in collaboration with academic centers and partners including DARE-NL, NKI, and Sanquin. The program consists of three courses of approximately ten half-days each, combining workshops, theory, and online self-study. Courses are designed for both new professionals and current ATMP operators who need to stay up-to-date.

“Success for this project means that new staff can be trained faster—from one year to about three months—and that a continuous learning program is in place so everyone can demonstrate to the IGJ that personnel are well-trained,” says Emma de Pater.

The courses are flexible, offered both onsite and online, and combine theory with hands-on practice. The program promotes multidisciplinary collaboration between pharmacists, biologists, and regulators, ensuring effective alignment between knowledge and practice. By accelerating onboarding and providing continuous education, the project contributes to scaling up ATMP production and making innovative therapies available to patients more quickly.

Objective

To develop and sustainably embed post-HBO modular education in ATMPs, enabling Dutch professionals to continuously update their knowledge and skills and apply them directly in practice.

Read more