Molecule to Market: Inside the outsourcing space

Dan’s the man...at Custom Biologics

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Dan Mamelak, Founder & President at Custom Biologics.

Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Dan, covering:

• How reading The Billion-dollar Molecule book inspired him to explore a pathway into cutting-edge drug development
• The founding story of his company and some timeless advice not to burn bridges
• How the Canadian conveyor belt of intelligent, talented young science graduates has helped fuel the company’s growth
• Why being privately owned has contributed to the company’s unique culture

Dan is responsible for the company's strategic direction. From the outset of his career, Dan recognized the need for solid bioanalytical expertise to support the drug discovery programs of both developing and established biopharmaceutical companies.

In 2004, Dan established Custom Biologics, a large-molecule bioanalytical CRO that designs and validates assays to measure the potency of biotherapeutic drugs, including therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and genetic therapies. Recently, the Genomics division of Custom Biologics has developed novel isothermal nucleic acid molecular diagnostic tests to rapidly identify human and food-borne pathogens.

Before founding Custom Biologics, Dan was a Senior Scientist at Affinium Pharmaceuticals, an established company that accelerates the development of small molecules into new medicines. Dan holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Toronto.

 

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Molecule to Market is sponsored and funded by ramarketing, an international marketing, design, digital and content agency helping companies differentiate, get noticed and grow in life sciences.

 

Celebrating female talent in life sciences

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with: 

• Denise Bowser from Onyx Scientific
• Audrey Greenberg from SK Pharmteco
• Kendalle Burlin O’Connell from MassBio
• Elisabeth Stampa from Medicines For Europe 
• Sabina Ouimet-Storrs from GHO Capital

In this episode, we feature highlights from recent interviews with some of the most inspiring women in the life sciences industry. These women sat down with host, Raman Sehgal, to share their unique perspectives on topics including career progression, COVID-19, M&A, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Listen to the full episodes: 

• Dealing with downturns… and the menopause with Denise Bowser
• From banking to biotech with Audrey Greenberg 
• From MassBio… to the world with Kendalle Burlin O’Connell 
• Transforming a family pharma firm with Elisabeth Stampa 
• M&A Roundtable and 2024 Predictions with Sabina Ouimet-Storrs

Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

Molecule to Market is sponsored and funded by ramarketing, an international marketing, design, digital and content agency helping companies differentiate, get noticed and grow in life sciences.

 

The power of peptides

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Alastair Hay, Vice President of Peptides at Almac Sciences.

Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Alastair, covering:

• The story behind Almac’s early bet of getting into the peptide game
• Behind the scenes of the incredible growth journey of Almac from a few hundred to 7000+ people... and some insight into the secret sauce behind the success
• Rising demand for peptides and what makes them so attractive and valuable for various emerging therapeutic areas
• Some of the challenges in developing and manufacturing peptide-based therapeutics include environmental impact

Alastair graduated with a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from the University of Edinburgh in 1998, following his first degree in Pure and Applied Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde.

He spent 12 years on the operational side of Almac’s peptide business, heading up the non-GMP custom synthesis group and then the GMP process development group. In 2015, Alastair moved on from an operational role to provide technical support on peptide projects for Almac’s global business development team.

In 2020, Alastair took on operational responsibilities, first re-assuming leadership of the Process Development department and then ultimately being appointed Vice President, Peptides in 2021.

Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

Molecule to Market is sponsored and funded by ramarketing, an international marketing, design, digital, and content agency helping companies differentiate, get noticed, and grow in the life sciences.

 

From Pfizer to CDMO carve-out

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Brett Alderson, President and Site Leader of Novacina.

Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Brett, covering:

• The complexities of being on the inside of big pharma looking to carve out your site... then transitioning into a customer-facing CDMO
• Leaning into the freedom and liberation of having the shackles off as an independent business
• Pairing world-class, complex commercial capabilities (100 million+ units) with a small scaler clinical offering
• The uncertainty and capacity concerns on the market after that market-shaking deal
• And just why Australia is a hub for global for clinical trials...

Brett Alderson is a seasoned veteran in the pharmaceutical industry predominantly working with the manufacturing of sterile injectables. Brett is a determined and thoughtful leader adept at driving business success and leading through change. He is a champion for customers, instilling a customer-centric culture with transparency and helpfulness. 

He enjoys mentoring and nurturing a diverse workforce with a clear imperative of open and honest communication. Brett has a reputation as an energetic problem solver, acting with integrity and care, and always encourages solutions for a brighter tomorrow by empowering people.

Brett’s career includes more than 25 years at Pfizer, before becoming President and Site Leader of Novacina in April 2023 where he oversaw a 500-member team and the production of more than 300 Oncology products plus several additional sterile injectable medicines for local and global markets.

Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

Molecule to Market is sponsored and funded by ramarketing, an international marketing, design, digital and content agency helping companies differentiate, get noticed and grow in life sciences.

One-hour special: Meet the next big thing in obesity

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Arvid Söderhall, CEO at Empros Pharma.

Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Arvid, covering:

• The personal story of a pediatrician treating an obese child that led to the creation of Empros Pharma and its lead asset
• The 10-year journey from an idea to a successful Phase IIb trial... and what it felt like to reach the magic milestone
• Critical characteristics required for a small pharma leader, and why CEOs stand and fall with their data
• The ins and outs of a CDMO selection process for Phase 3 trials and the commercial launch for a global drug to complement GLP-1 products
• How the investor climate has changed in the last 1-2 years... and how it has it turned upside down in the hot obesity space

Arvid joined Empros as a project manager in 2013, during the company’s foundational phase, before the EMP16 project was named. He quickly ascended to CEO, steering Empros to prioritize its founders and inventors while leveraging a strong network of contacts and leading Empros to a phase 3-ready project that surpassed initial expectations.

He holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry with a specialization in Computational Chemistry. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Berlin, marking his first engagement with the pharma industry and filing a first patent, introducing a foray into biotech entrepreneurship. Subsequently, Arvid worked at Stockholm-based biotech ‘Sidec,’ focusing on cryo-electron microscopy of proteins. Despite the premature technology leading to Sidec’s closure, the foundational concept later earned a Nobel Prize, underscoring the importance of timing in innovation.

Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

Molecule to Market is sponsored and funded by ramarketing, an international marketing, design, digital, and content agency helping companies differentiate, get noticed, and grow in life sciences.

M&A Roundtable and 2024 Predictions

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with:

• Sabina Ouimet-Storrs, Principal at GHO Capital Partners
• James West, Managing Director at Lincoln International
• Derek Hennecke, investor and board member in biopharma and cell therapy manufacturing

Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology ecosystem with his guests, covering:

• The year of the failed process in 2023...
• Which sub-segments of the pharma services ecosystem are hot right now?
• A myriad of buys and builds, carve-outs, and platform deals
• An optimistic outlook for the year ahead... despite some significant market headwinds

Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

Molecule to Market is sponsored and funded by ramarketing, an international marketing, design, digital and content agency helping companies differentiate, get noticed and grow in life sciences.

Transforming a family pharma firm

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Elisabeth Stampa, President Medicines for Europe and Board Chair at Medichem.

 

Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Elisabeth, covering:

• She took the reigns of the family pharmaceutical firm from her father
• The struggle of turning around the business through rationalization and divestment and critical lessons learned from a tricky time
• Re-building into a multi-national, $140m+ API and FDF CDMO with flexibility at its core
• Insights into future trends will impact our space, including the aging population, reliance on Asia, and the need for patient affordability to access medicines

With over twenty years in the industry and an experienced business leader with a track record in growing and transforming businesses, Elisabeth serves on the Board of Medichem SA. She has been the former CEO of Medichem SA., transforming a pure API company into a competitive vertical integrated player.

A pharmacy graduate by trade, she also serves on the Board of Trustees at the IQS in Barcelona and is President Medicines for Europe. Elisabeth has been an active member of international associations throughout her professional career and advocates for legislative changes that improve patient accessibility and strengthen the European industry globally.

Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

Molecule to Market is sponsored and funded by ramarketing, an international marketing, design, digital, and content agency helping companies differentiate, get noticed, and grow in life sciences.

 

From MassBio... to the world

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, CEO and President of MassBio.

 

Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Kendalle, covering:

• The story behind how Massachusetts became one of the biggest biotech clusters in the world and why this ecosystem has such an energy
• Kendalle’s non-linear journey into MassBio and how she made an impact (and ruffled some feathers)
• How she navigated her way to the top of MassBio, including lessons learned along the way and dealing with her inner voice
• Her optimistic sentiment for 2024 and the broader impact on global life sciences

Kendalle leads the organization's strategic direction and drives policy advocacy for the industry to ensure that Massachusetts life sciences companies have the best environment possible to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize breakthrough therapies and cures for people worldwide. Pursuing innovation and delivering for members are the hallmarks of Kendalle’s more than 15 years at MassBio, including the launch of several multi-year initiatives focused on realizing a diverse and equitable life sciences industry, supporting the continued growth and sustainability of the sector throughout Massachusetts, and providing resources and solutions to companies across the industry value chain.

A lawyer by trade, she has earned a spot on the Boston Business Journal’s 2023 Power 50: Movement Makers list is ranked number 33 on Boston Magazine’s 2023 list of The 150 Most Influential Bostonians, a 2022 recipient of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Inspire Award recognizing outstanding women leaders in the Cambridge community, a 2022 Boston power player as named by Axios, a 2021 executive fellow in the inaugural class of the Civic Action Project Collaborative, and a 2019 Boston Business Journal 40 under 40 honoree which acknowledges a leader’s impact on Massachusetts’ industries.

Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

Molecule to Market is sponsored and funded by ramarketing, an international marketing, design, digital, and content agency helping companies differentiate, get noticed and grow in life sciences.

From banking to biotech

Founder of the Center for Breakthrough Medicines - now part of SK Pharmteco.

Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Audrey, covering:

• How a career in real estate financial services led her to the world of cell & gene therapy
• The story of the creation of the Center for Breakthrough Medicines to its eventual sale and ‘fit’ with SK Pharmteco
• Why Philadelphia’s 'Cellicon Valley' is becoming one of the hottest life science clusters in the US
• Timeless tips on fundraising, networking and having a go for young people
• Her view on the market outlook for 2024 and beyond

Audrey is a serial entrepreneur, having founded three startups that have exceeded valuations above $1 billion. As Founder of the Center for Breakthrough Medicines, Audrey successfully launched the company, attracted 400 employees from around the globe, raised over $500 million in capital, closed a 15-year $100 million joint venture with the University of Pennsylvania’s Gene Therapy Program, and sold the company to SK Pharmteco.

Before launching CBM, Audrey founded Discovery Labs, which grew into the largest privately held life science real estate portfolio in the United States. She spent two decades as an executive in private equity, increasing assets under management to over $100 billion.

Awards have included being selected as the Top Trailblazer in Biotech, Most Influential Philadelphian, Titan 100 (2x), Healthcare Innovation Leader, and Woman of Influence. She is a renowned keynote speaker specializing in Cell and Gene Therapy, DEI initiatives, 'Cellicon Valley', and building bio innovation hubs.

Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

Molecule to Market is sponsored and funded by ramarketing, an international marketing, design, digital, and content agency helping companies differentiate, get noticed and grow in life sciences.

Dealing with downturns... and the menopause.

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Denise Bowser, Co-Founder and Commercial Director of Onyx Scientific.

Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with Denise, covering:

• The founding story of Onyx and helping the company gain traction in the early years
• A lesson in M&A - being acquired as a great business and being allowed to thrive as a great business
• The non-secret, simple secret sauce of retaining and growing clients over 20 years
• Functioning as a founder while feeling the force of Menopause... and timely advice for others in the workplace
• Advice for dealing with the downturn - diversification, doubling down on your core competence and customer care

Having founded Onyx Scientific in 2000, Denise has grown the business into a multi-million dollar CDMO with over 100 employees supporting clients in delivering their clinical programs in the pharmaceutical sector. With over 25 years of experience working with clients globally, Denise has built a successful business built on relationships & trust.

Denise plays golf in her spare time with a handicap of 16 & is an active member of her club, playing competitively for the team & loves getting out to nature, more recently discovering cold dipping & going on road trips in her campervan.

 

Please subscribe, tell your industry colleagues, and join us in celebrating and promoting the value and importance of the global life science outsourcing space. We’d also appreciate a positive rating!

 

Molecule to Market is sponsored and funded by ramarketing, an international marketing, design, digital, and content agency helping companies differentiate, get noticed and grow in life sciences.