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URI Pharmaceutical Development Institute to host open house

The events April 25-29 offers campus community, the public a look at state-of-the-art facility for pharmaceutical training, development and testing

A URI College of Pharmacy student learns to use the advanced equipment in the clean laboratories of the URI Pharmaceutical Development Institute.

KINGSTON, R.I. — April 14, 2022 — The University of Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Development Institute will hold a week-long open house in April, giving industry professionals, the campus community and the public a look at the world of biopharmaceutical education and development.

The open house, scheduled for the week of April 25-29, will include tours of the suite of pharmaceutical clean labs in the lower level of Avedisian Hall and of the Analytical and Stability Testing Laboratory; live demonstrations of advanced equipment in the labs, including tablet- and capsule-making technologies, tablet film coating machines and fluid bed systems; and access to some of the region’s foremost experts in pharmaceutical training and manufacturing.

URI College of Pharmacy students train to work in certified clean labs. Internal and external training is part of the Pharmaceutical Development Institute’s mission.

“The PDI is really gaining momentum in our mission to support the regional pharmaceutical industry with centers of excellence in pharmaceutical training and development, and we want to show the community what our ambitious efforts have produced,” said George Grandolfi, director of the institute, which is part of the URI College of Pharmacy. “Our pharmaceutical clean rooms have the technology needed to facilitate drug development and contract manufacturing, and we have leading experts to train not only undergrad and graduate students at URI, but also employees in the biopharmaceutical field. The PDI is aiming to be a leader in the region’s growing pharmaceutical development industry.”

The Institute operates two facilities — a 7,000 square-foot clean manufacturing facility, divided into multiple process suites, and a 1,500 square-foot Analytical and Stability Testing Laboratory, both located in Avedisian Hall on the Kingston campus. The Institute supports the University’s continuing efforts to strengthen and expand its education, research and development capabilities, and is preparing the necessary requirements for production of products for veterinary and human use. The facility’s missions include:

  • Academic training: PDI staff provides hands-on learning and internships for undergraduate and graduate students
  • External training (workforce development): The PDI Training Center prepares, educates and trains employees for careers with biopharmaceutical companies.
  • Contract development, manufacturing and testing (economic development): The Institute supports pharmaceutical partners to develop, manufacture and test drug products for development studies, stability programs and clinical trials.

The open house is scheduled for April 25, 1 and 3 p.m.; April 26, 9 and 11 a.m.; April 27, 1 and 3 p.m.; and April 29, 11 a.m. Groups of up to 10 people will put on clean room attire and be led through the labs and other facilities, and given access to the Institute’s experts, who will be ready to answer questions and provide details on the Institute’s training and manufacturing capabilities.

Each tour is expected to take about an hour. Availability is limited. Register now at https://cutt.ly/PDIopenhouse.