Coordinators: Yvonne Genzel (Max Planck Institut Magdeburg, GER) and Laura Cervera Gracia (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, ES)
Applications are open!
Acceptance decisions will be announced in June 2025.
Course Topics
The course will cover the following topics:
- Principles of immunology and virology
- Cell lines for vaccine production
- Upstream process development and intensification
- Viral biosafety and potency assays
- Downstream processing of viral vaccines
- Vaccine formulation and delivery systems
- Vaccine formats (virus, vectored, recombinant, mRNA)
- Equipment, QbD and PAT
- Regulatory issues
- Vaccine development and supply solutions
Case studies for special vaccines:
- Case study: Micro carrier-based cultivation
- Case study: Polio vaccines
- Case study: Response to a pandemic situation
- Case study: Tuberculosis
- Case study: Baculovirus technology for Cervarix
- Case study: Modified Vaccinia Ankara vaccines
- Case study (veterinary): Herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) vaccines
- Case study: Influenza vaccines
Insights from WHO and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Vaccine markets and immunization policy insights from WHO
- Exercise & discussion round for participants
Program
The full program of the course can be downloaded here (as of April 2025, topics may change):
Lecturers
Laura Cervera Gracia
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
Yvonne Genzel
Max Planck Institut Magdeburg, Germany
Pere-Joan Cardona
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
Philippe-Alexandre Gilbert
BMGF, usa
Catherine Green
university of oxforf, uk
Ingo Jordan
probiogen ag, germany
Isabelle Knott
GSK, belgium
Carine Logvinoff
sanofi pasteur, france
Cristina Peixoto
ibet, portugal
Jordi Ruano
hipra, spain
Alba Villajeliu
WHO, spain
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The participation of some lecturers is still to be confirmed.
Detailed Course Information
Organizing Committee
Amine Kamen
Department of Bioengineering
McGill University
817 Sherbrooke St. W.
Montreal, Canada
Tel.: +1(514)398 5775
E-mail: ac.lligcm@nemak.enima
Yvonne Genzel
Bioprocess Engineering Group, Team Upstream Processing
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems
Sandtorstr. 1
39106 Magdeburg, Germany
Tel +49 391 6110 257
E-mail: ed.gpm.grubedgam-ipm@lezneg
Laura Cervera
Departament d’Enginyeria Quimica, Biològica i Ambiental
Escola d‘Enginyeria, Edifici Q
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Plaza Cívica
Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain
Tel.: +34 93 581 4790
E-mail: tac.bau@arevrec.arual
Contact for registration
Ms. Marie Groll & Ms. Marierose von Ledebur
Remember Management GmbH
E-mail: gro.tcase@eciffo
Application
Applications are open until 16 May 2025.
Acceptance decisions will be announced in June 2025.
Registration Fee
The course fees for 2025 will be as follows:
1.250,00 EUR for participants of academia and 1.950,00 EUR for participants from industry.
The fee covers course registration and materials (course book), accommodation in two-bed rooms (shared with another participant), meals, transportation from/to Barcelona airport (see the time schedule for the bus below). Participants have the possibility to be hosted in single room (limited to availability) at an extra cost of 250,00 EUR.
Bursaries
A limited number of bursaries covering the course fee are provided by ESACT. Priority will be given to young PhD students from academia.
Applicants for a bursary should indicate this on the course application, together with a statement of motivation.
Please note: The bursary covers only the course fee, not travel costs.
Travel Information
The course will be held in Hotel Terramar, a 3-star hotel (www.hterramar.com) in a small town named Llafranc in the heart of Costa Brava, Girona, Spain.
The hotel is right on a very nice sandy beach, providing a cosy and relaxing atmosphere for the participants. Weather in Llafranc at this time of the year is generally pleasant. Travel organization to the meeting is of participants responsibility, ensuring their participation to the full course. Access by road from Girona airport (30 min) or Barcelona airport (90 min) is suggested.
Important Note:
A bus transfer from Barcelona Airport will be organised on the respective Sunday around 6pm to bring participants to the hotel at Llafranc in time for dinner. Please make sure that your flight arrives well before that time so you can catch that bus – if you are not able you need to organise your own travel to Llafranc.
Likewise at the end of the course, a bus will be available to transfer participants back to Barcelona – leaving Llafranc by 3pm, and arriving at Barcelona Airport around 4:00-4:30. Again, please make your travel arrangements considering these time limitations.
Testimonials
“The high quality of the faculty and the diverse backgrounds of the participants provided a stimulating learning environment and valuable scientific discussions. This course was an excellent experience that expanded my knowledge and professional network in the field of vaccine technology. […]”
Elianet Lorenzo Romero
Student
ficia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso
FAQ
Application & Registration Procedure
How and when do I apply for the ESACT Courses?
- The ESACT courses take place every year. The application opens in January/February. After the deadline for applications, the course coordinators will evaluate, and acceptance decisions will be announced a few weeks after the application deadline.
- In a next step, all accepted applicants will receive an E-Mail with the link for registration.
Bursaries
How and when do I apply for an ESACT bursary?
You need to apply for a bursary during the application process. The bursary covers course registration and materials (course book), accommodation in two-bed rooms (shared with another participant), meals, transportation from/to Barcelona airport.
Please note: the bursary does not cover travel costs.
VISA Application letter
Can you provide me with an invitation letter to apply for a VISA?
- We can assist you with your visa application. Please send us an email at your earliest convenience with the following information: Full name
- Country of residence
- Nationality
- Address
Information before departure
When will I receive detailed information about the course (how to get there, etc.)?
Around one week before the course you will receive a detailed e-mail with all the information about the course schedule, he airport pick-up, transfer etc.
Transport from/to the Barcelona Aiport
How istransport organized from/to the Airport to the hotel in Llafranc?
A bus transfer from Barcelona Airport will be organized on the respective Sunday around 6pm to bring participants to the hotel at Llafranc in time for dinner. Please make sure that your flight arrives well before that time so you can catch that bus – if you are not able you need to organize your own travel to Llafranc.
Likewise at the end of the course, a bus will be available to transfer participants back to Barcelona – leaving Llafranc by 3pm and arriving at Barcelona Airport around 4:00-4:30. Again, please make your travel arrangements considering these time limitations.
Coursebook
When will I receive the coursebook?
Around one week before the course you will receive a detailed e-mail with important information before departure and a link to the course book, so that you can download it.
Overview
Date:
5 – 9 October 2025
Application Deadline:
16 May 2025
Registration Fee:
Academia: 1.250,00 EUR
Industry: 1.950,00 EUR
Address:
Passeig de Cipsela 1
17211 Llafranc, Girona, Spain