Shaping Talent for the Therapies of Tomorrow
From 7 to 9 October 2025, the fourth edition of the GMP for ATMP Summer School took place at the Science Park University of Antwerp in Niel. Organised by at.las, with the support of POM Antwerpen, the three-day programme welcomed 35 students in (bio)chemistry and laboratory techniques from AP Hogeschool, KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts and Thomas More University of Applied Sciences.
From classroom to cleanroom
Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) are among the most promising innovations in healthcare. Producing these personalised medicines requires strict compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, where every step of the process must be carefully documented and controlled.
The labour market is in high demand for skilled profiles in this field. But GMP laboratories are highly regulated and rarely accessible to students. The Summer School bridges this gap, giving participants first-hand experience of what it takes to work in a GMP environment.
Practice makes perfect
The programme combines interactive lectures and exercises with hands-on training. One of the highlights was the practical day in ViTalent’s cleanroom facilities, where students took part in a production simulation. The programme was updated this year with additional practical sessions and demonstrations, so that students not only understand the theory, but also experience what a GMP environment entails. The participants also visited an ATMP company. The course concluded with presentations by potential future employers, a certificate ceremony and a networking opportunity.Â
Strength through collaboration
The Summer School is an initiative of at.las, made possible thanks to the involvement of a broad network of partners. Expertise was shared by organisations such as anicells, etherna, eyetec, MyCellHub, Normec Advipro, Pharma Logistics Excellence Center, Qiagen, TRU Global Solutions, ViTalent and the University of Antwerp. Their contributions ensured a dynamic programme that combined theory, practice and real-world insights.
Sponsors including Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Miltenyi Biotec and Thermo Fisher Scientific, together with Co-valent, the Province of Antwerp, and POM Antwerp, provided content, demonstrations and financial support.
Shaping talent of the future
By connecting students with industry experts and offering them a unique learning experience, the Summer School helps to build the skilled workforce that the ATMP sector urgently needs. It also strengthens the local life sciences ecosystem and showcases the collaborative spirit that lies at the heart of at.las.
Want to relive the highlights?
Check out the images below and stay tuned for the aftermovie, to see how students experienced their first steps in a GMP environment
