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This past spring, students in CHEM 7780: Special Topics in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, taught by Assistant Professor Amy Xu, were tasked with something far beyond a typical final exam: they became pharmaceutical biotechnology developers.

The biotech industry represents a compelling career path for many students, and the special topics course offers a valuable glimpse into that world. As part of a project-based experience, students took on the role of a biotech startup executive tasked with designing therapeutic strategies for real-world diseases.

The course emphasizes biotherapeutics' development, characterization, and application, including monoclonal antibodies, gene therapies, and vaccines, while mirroring the biotech sector's fast-paced, interdisciplinary, and collaborative nature.

鈥淚n CHEM 7780, students learn about pharmaceutical biotechnology through a simulated development process,鈥� said Assistant Professor Amy Xu. 鈥淏y stepping into the role of pharmaceutical biotech developers, they sharpen their skills in scientific reasoning, therapeutic design, and market analysis.鈥� 

BioSpecific Innovations Targets Cancer with BiTEs in Mock Pitch

One student team, BioSpecific Innovations, proposed an innovative immunotherapy approach using Bispecific T-cell Engagers (BiTEs). Their mock product, BioBridge, was inspired by the real science behind existing drugs and designed to target multiple myeloma and leukemia.

鈥淥ur proposed product uses recombinant DNA technology and BiTEs to treat these cancers,鈥� explained the team鈥檚 Chief Scientific Officer, Jen Blanchard. 鈥淏iTEs are engineered molecules that act like a bridge between a patient鈥檚 immune T-cells and cancer cells. We proposed encoding antibodies onto the BiTEs that specifically recognize markers found only on multiple myeloma and leukemia cells. Once bound, the BiTEs would help direct T-cells to locate, attack, and destroy the cancer cells.鈥�

This bridging function is what inspired the product鈥檚 name: BioBridge. 鈥淲e saw it as building a bridge to health, connecting the body鈥檚 immune system directly to the cancer,鈥� said Blanchard.

In addition to the science, the students built out the full development pipeline. 鈥淲e conducted market analysis, assessed our scientific rationale, and built a pitch deck like we were presenting to investors,鈥� said Chief Executive Officer of BioSpecific Innovation Mariam Afuwape. 鈥淚t was a completely different experience from the usual paper-and-pencil exam. It pushed us to think creatively, work collaboratively, and apply our knowledge in a truly impactful way.鈥� 

Hannah Saia, the team鈥檚 Chief Research Officer, led the development of mock clinical trials. 鈥淚 learned so much about the complexities of bringing a drug to market,鈥� she said. 鈥淒esigning imaginative and scientifically grounded trials was challenging and fun.鈥�

Skyler Brown, who held dual roles as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial Officer, emphasized how the project鈥檚 creative structure enhanced her engagement. 鈥淲hen students are given space to be creative, learning becomes natural,鈥� said Brown. 鈥淚 got so immersed in the project that I didn鈥檛 even realize I was working on the presentation.鈥�

Real Skills, Real Impact

By blending research, industry, and education, the course provides a valuable bridge between classroom learning and real-world scientific leadership. It gives students technical experience and confidence so that they can see themselves as future leaders in the biotech field. 

鈥淭he project confirmed that my place after grad school will be within drug discovery,鈥� said Lauren Moore, the team鈥檚 Chief Operating Officer. 鈥淚t has always been an interest, but now I can鈥檛 wait to find my place in a drug company and create the positive change we created within our project.鈥�  

Although BioBridge was a mock proposal, the strategic thinking and professional skills cultivated through the experience were undeniably real. Starting next year, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology will be offered as CHEM 4013 and open to undergraduates, providing early exposure to the field and preparing students for future roles in biomedical innovation.