Biotherapeutics & Business

The MSc in Biotherapeutics and Business educates students on the practical uses of molecular advances in the discovery of proteins and other biomolecular drug candidates and their development into biotherapeutics. It will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the development of biotherapeutics, beginning with pre-clinical modelling and target identification together with antibody engineering, biochemical and biophysical characterisation, and development issues for bioprocessing.



Regulatory issues, and innovation and commercialisation strategies, will also be covered. You will also receive a comprehensive business education. You will learn to identify and solve business problems in local and international settings, enhance your communication and leadership skills, and improve your ability for independent thinking and developing creative solutions.

Download the UCD Science Graduate Taught Courses brochure (pdf)



The UCD MSc Biotherapeutics and Business programme has a global, multidisciplinary perspective with contributions from national and international academics and experts.

Students share their firsthand practical experience with other MSc students and professionals from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds and this creates a dynamic learning environment.



This programme will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the development of biotherapeutics, beginning with pre-clinical modelling and target identification together with antibody engineering, biochemical and biophysical characterisation and development issues for bioprocessing. Systems biology of biotechnological processes and approaches to the analysis of proteomics based discovery data will be covered in detail together with mathematical modelling, bioinformatics analysis and data integration strategies. Regulatory issues and innovation and commercialisation strategies will also be covered. Mammalian cell culture and bioprocess laboratory structure will be comprehensively covered in addition to novel approaches to therapeutic development. You will also receive a comprehensive business education. You will learn to identify and solve business problems in local and international settings, enhance your communication and leadership skills and improve your ability for independent thinking and developing creative solutions.



The MSc in Biotherapeutics and Business is the result of close collaboration between UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and UCD Smurfit School of Business.

This is a full-time, one-year programme, divided into three semesters (from early September until the end of August). The programme consists of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and case studies. To complete the MSc in Biotherapeutics and Business you must successfully complete all core modules and your chosen option modules. You must also successfully complete a business plan and biotherapeutics case study.



Stage 1 - Core

Professional Career DevelopmentBIOC40180

Business StrategyBMGT45430

The Business of Biotechnology and ScienceBMOL40120

Feasibility and Business PlanBMOL40130

Teams in Biotech EnterpriseBMOL40380

Corporate Finance (BB)FIN41440

Marketing Management MSc Bio&BMKT42310

Biotherapeutic Pipeline IPHAR40200

Biotherapeutic Pipeline IIPHAR40210

Systems Biology in Drug DevPHAR40220

Biotherapeutics Case StudyPHAR40350



Stage 1 - Option

Biomedical Diagnostics&DevicesBIOC40250

Biological ImagingBMOL40180

Multicellular SystemsBMOL40190

HCS MicroscopyCELB40160

Recombinant DNA TechnologyMICR40010

Emerging Issues in BiotechnologyMICR40100

Regulatory Affairs for Life SciencesPHAR40240

- Candidates must have obtained at least an upper Second Class Honours (2:1) Grade or equivalent in an honours BSc in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Neuroscience, Physiology, Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry or an equivalent qualification.



- If English is not your native language, unless you have done your primary degree through English in an English speaking country, an English language qualification is required for all programmes. English Language qualifications include a minimum score of 550 (213 computer based) for Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 6.5 (with a score of 6 obtained in each category) for International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Other evidence of proficiency in English may be accepted such as the Cambridge Certificate. Tests used as evidence of language proficiency must have been completed within the last 12 months.



2 academic references will be required, at least one to be from a science faculty member.



- Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/



These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

The following entry routes are available:



MSc Biotherapeutics & Business FT (F103)

Duration 1 Years Attend Full Time

Deadline Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

1 year full-time.

MODE OF DELIVERY: Face-to-Face

Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.

Careers & Employability

This graduate degree in Biotherapeutics & Business has been developed in consultation with employers and therefore will be recognised and valued by them. A key feature is the opportunity to carry out a business development plan, which will allow graduates to develop connections with prospective employers, thereby enhancing chances of employment on graduation.



Prospective employers include Abbott, Allergan, Amgen, Baxter Healthcare, Eli Lilly and Co., Dignity Sciences, GSK, Icon Clinical Research, ImmunoGen Inc., Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Ltd., MSD, Quintiles, Quest International, Sandoz and Seroba Life Sciences.