Opening is huge success

February 9, 2016

Biotech Training Facility is officially in business! Amid great public interest, the facility was opened by Minister Henk Kamp of Economic Affairs, Chairman Gerrit Zalm of the Managing Board ABN AMRO Bank, Mayor Henri Lenferink, Vice-President Willem Te Beest of the Executive Board University Leiden and President Harry Flore of the OVBSP. Each person represented a party that contributed significantly to Biotech Training Facility. The event was also attended by Nettie Buitelaar and Gijsbert Guijt, who both had an important role in the realization of the facility.

The opening was done ‘the pharmaceutical way’, according to Thijs de Kleer, Director Biotech Training Facility and Master of Ceremony. This resulted in the unusual spectacle of five men in white laboratory coats cutting colorful ribbons according to the directions of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). An explosion of green glitter sealed the deal and Biotech Training Facility was officially opened.

In the afternoon, all guests could enjoy a tour of the facility to see the laboratories, cleanrooms and technical area. The cleanrooms are classified areas and therefore not accessible to the general public. However, the facility is designed in such a way that the work in the cleanrooms can be witnessed from the corridor. This enabled the guests to get an idea of the rooms, equipment and possibilities of Biotech Training Facility.  

Biotech Training Facility is all about hands-on experience. Therefore guests could not only watch, but also do pharmaceutical work. For example, by joining the pipetting contest in pursuit of the golden pipette. Others experienced what it is like to stand at a pharmaceutical filling machine in the Bausch & Stroebel virtual reality room. With the 3D glasses, it was like being in a cleanroom next to the machines. The most adventurous guests enjoyed mysteriously colored drinks at the bubbling molecular cocktail bar.

Biotech Training Facility has already signed its first deals with pharmaceutical companies. The very well-attended opening is another confirmation of the importance of the facility for the pharmaceutical industry. In the next months, Biotech Training Facility aims to expand its portfolio and customer base. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter to stay up to date of the latest news.

Check our Facebook page for all the pictures of the event (Pictures taken by Petra van Aken)