Molecule to Market: Inside the outsourcing space

Microsoft talks to Molecule to Market

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Dr. Andi White, Head of Business Operations & Strategy for the Healthcare Industry Solutions Accelerator at Microsoft.

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

• How five years at GE helped develop and shape Andi into a leader
• Why having a broad mindset early on in your career will help you flourish down the line
• The role of tech in revolutionizing clinical trials and drug development space
• How you should be thinking about and experimenting with AI in terms of data, convenience, and research

A clinically-savvy Ph.D. with two decades of diverse healthcare experience, Andi White has demonstrated success across all aspects of commercialization, in both start-up and Fortune 100 companies.

Andi’s corporate experience is bolstered by her years in the San Francisco start-up community, where she participated in the commercialization of several life science companies.

With a Master’s/Doctorate in Biochemistry from the University of New Hampshire and Postdoctoral research experience at UC Berkeley, Andi has a true passion for the science behind healthcare and the promise of connected data in driving the future of better patient outcomes.

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.

** Disclaimer **

The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by Dr. Andrea White on this episode of the Molecule to Market podcast are solely her own and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and official policies of Microsoft Corporation.

Biopharma innovation in motion

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Charles Ruban, CEO at Verdot.

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

• Crossing the border from supply chain to R&D, lessons learned from a technician turned business leader
• Creating the most extensive peanut allergy clinical trial in the world and opting for an IPO instead of a big pharma licensing deal
• How a call from a PE firm led to a spectacular exit
• Designing and creating downstream bioprocessing equipment in a Patagonia-inspired way - intelligent, sustainable, and functional - is critical for the future
• Why you need to know several biopharma trends, including AI, China R&D, and the fastest-growing therapeutic segment... you need to know

Over the last 25 years, Charles has held rich and diverse executive leadership positions in fast-growing international healthcare companies. His experience includes Manufacturing, Research and development, Business development, and Global Management in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies.

Charles is the CEO of VERDOT, a key player in bioprocessing, serving advanced solutions to the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industry worldwide. Before this, he was the co-CEO at HTL Biotechnology, COO of DBV Technologies, and also spent considerable time at Eurogroup Consulting and Stallergenes.

He has been instrumental in streamlining supply chain operations, establishing strategic alliances, developing and launching therapeutic biologics in Europe, the United States, and Japan, and performing business activities. He has been heavily exposed to investors in both public and private environments.

 

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.

 

Say hello to a “CTDMO”

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Dirk Lange, Head of Life Science Services at MilliporeSigma.

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

• What he has learned from 25 years of bouncing around geographically in terms of cultural differences in understanding clients and colleagues
• Life on both sides of the fence as a drug sponsor and a CDMO, including key dynamics a buyer has to consider
• How MilliporeSigma has focused on ‘nesting’ its testing services, leading to the use of ’CTDMO'
• Insights into future trends including the need to deal with novel modalities in an agile way and digitally transform where possible

Dirk Lange is the Head of Life Science Services at the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany where he oversees the fully integrated Contract Testing, Development, and Manufacturing Organization (CTDMO) and Contract Testing services for the Life Science business.

He has over two decades of experience in life science client services organizations and an extensive background in clinical and commercial operations. He has held leadership roles at companies such as KBI Biopharma, Selexis SA, Novartis Biologics, Sandoz Oncology Injectables, and Rentschler Biopharma.

 

Lange received his Master Professional (CCI) of Technical Management and his Bachelor Professional (CCI) of Pharmaceutical Technology. He also taught Economics and Operations Management at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ulm, Germany.

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 content, design and digital agency that helps companies in life sciences, get noticed.

The involuntary entrepreneur chemist

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Fredrik Lehmann, Venture Partner at Industrifonden.

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

• How the closing of a business and customer requests led to a phoenix from the flames start-up opportunity
• His company's journey from inception and growth to eventual sale to Recipharm
• His transition to becoming a VC investor with an evergreen fund within the Nordic life science ecosystem, including the subjectivity of most investments
• The sentiment Fredrik is seeing from the biotech market and his frustrations of not being able to make more investments in breakthrough science and tech

Fredrik focuses on life science with an extra eye for innovative biotechs. He is interested in contributing to businesses with his experience in the biotech world to help companies reach their highest potential.

Fredrik has over 20 years of experience in the life science industry as CEO, Head of Research, and CMC in several companies. He has extensive experience in turning ideas into products and successful businesses and has founded six companies, including OnTarget Chemistry, which was acquired by Recipharm in 2015. He also serves as a board director at several Life Sciences companies and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board at Akthelia Pharmaceuticals.

Fredrik holds a PhD in medicinal chemistry from Gothenburg University and an MBA from Stockholm School of Economics.

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.

A passion for pharma packaging

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Peter Belden, President of Tjoapack US.

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

• How the success of a contract packaging operation led to a divestiture from AmerisourceBergen to PCI
• The fun, games, and complexities of multi-national, M&A integrations
• Smaller patient populations and personalized medicines drive demand for more flexible and agile contract packaging providers
• Active listening, removing headaches from clients, and eliminating roadblocks are key to success

Peter is a leader in pharmaceutical services and is passionate about building teams that delight clients. He recently joined the Tjoapack team as President of, US, to help embark on the next stage of the company’s growth by delivering quality, service, and flexible solutions to clients.

With 25 years of service to pharmaceutical and biotech clients across packaging materials, contract packaging for clinical supplies and commercial medicines, specialty third-party logistics, and related commercialization offerings.

He has held leadership roles at AmerisourceBergen, Avery Dennison, PCI, and Clinigen Group.

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.

M2M meets Moderna & CPHI Conversations

In this episode of Molecule to Market, tune in for a special announcement about where to find Molecule to Market host, Raman Sehgal, at CPHI Barcelona this month.

Listen to the short episode covering:

• CDMO outlook - the trends and developments Raman expects to see this year and into 2024
• A fireside chat with Moderna covering COVID-19 and Oncology
• Panel moderation on the topic - Why building a collaborative network is essential

Are you heading to CPHI this month? Stop by one of Raman’s panels to gain valuable insights from leaders in the life sciences space.  Find the schedule in your CPHI app.

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.

Launching a technology-forward CDMO

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Bruce Thompson, CEO of Kincell Bio.

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

• The daunting and exciting prospect of launching a CDMO spin-out focused on early-phase companies
• The challenges and opportunities of pivoting a facility from innovator-owned to CDMO-owned
• Navigating from technical leader to a first CEO role... and the importance of covering your blind spots
• Why Bruce is seeing an upturn in the market and the emergence of more diverse opportunities.

 

Bruce is the CEO of Kincell Bio, bringing over 28 years of experience to his position. Before this, he was Vice President and Technical Lead for the Cell Therapy Franchise at Resilience, Inc., where he helped build the development and GMP manufacturing capabilities and served as a technical advisor internally and externally.

He has over 18 years of CMC strategy, product development, and cell therapy manufacturing experience. In his first startup role, he was Vice President of Process Sciences at Lyell Immunopharma, where he was responsible for Process and Analytical Development and tech transfer of processes and methods to a newly built state-of-the-art cGMP facility. Prior to Lyell, Bruce served as the Sr. Director of the Therapeutic Products Program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC), where he led GMP manufacturing of cell and gene therapy products. He was responsible for supporting >15 active clinical programs and contributed to the filing of 6 INDs for various cell therapy programs.

Bruce also spent nearly ten years at Pfizer in the Pharmaceutical Sciences division, and he received his B.A. in Biology, an M.S. in Biochemistry from The Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Louisville.

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.

 

Designing facilities today for tomorrow’s medicines

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Gordon Nicholson, Director of the Life Sciences NEA at Exyte.

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

• Transitioning from a regular, technical role into a commercial lead in Asia
• Lessons from sport and going back to basics when breaking down silos at Novo Nordisk Engineering
• Tips for building a presence and doing business in Asia from half a lifetime spent living and working in Thailand, China, and Singapore
• Being at the cutting edge of designing and building modern facilities for biologics, CGTs, and advanced therapies - including the rapid and complex needs of CDMOs
• A glimpse into the future of how CGT products may be made and administered at speed (safely) in the hospital in the next room from the patient

Gordon has more than 30 years of experience in designing and constructing Life Science facilities, from research to commercial production. He has worked on projects in Asia and the US for local and global pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers.

His responsibilities include leading the Life Science Concept Design Team in the Asia Pacific region, supporting clients through Business Development through the Technical review of documents before they are issued to clients.

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 problem-solving biopharma veteran

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with Matthew Stober, Chief Executive Officer at Abzena.

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

• How the failure of a big pharma R&D portfolio led to the creation of a CDMO business and a pipeline-ready facility
• Leadership lessons for transitioning from a functional leader to an enterprise-level one, and being part of a board
• How failures at retirement and the desire to make a difference in the fight against cancer brought Matt back to the CDMO space
• A global harmonization move, and a legislative change this industry veteran believes our sector needs

Matt joined Abzena from his role at Istari Oncology where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer for two years. He has over 30 years of experience at large, multinational pharmaceutical organizations, in manufacturing operational roles.

Matt has previously held senior executive positions at Novartis Vaccines, Smith and Nephew and Hospira where he served as Global Head of Operations, President of Operations, and Senior Vice President of Operations respectively.

His deep and extensive operational experience has been consolidated from positions at companies including GlaxoSmithKline, Merck and Pfizer. Matt holds various Board positions including current appointments at X-Vax Technology, Istari Oncology and Castlevax. He holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Villanova University, PA, USA.

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 servant leader creating the next generation CDMO

In this episode of Molecule to Market, you’ll go inside the outsourcing space of the global drug development sector with J.D. Mowery, President and Chief Executive Officer at KBI Biopharma.

Your host, Raman Sehgal, discusses the pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chain with J.D., covering:

• The experience of bringing a product to market... and then many years later seeing that product used on his wife to help bring his sons into the world
• How bringing a commercial facility online for Genentech to impact thousands of patients compares to the ‘vain to vain’, hospital-based, one-off patient CAR-T product for Juno
• Why the ethos of taking care of the person on your left and the person on your right helps with the scale-up of a multi-national global CDMO
• The emergence of a partnership-based, absorption business model between innovators and CDMOs in the wake of the shift in capital markets
• What the next generation CDMO will look like…

J.D. is an accomplished leader with a distinguished reputation in the biopharma industry and proven expertise in guiding global innovators and contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) for nearly 25 years.

Throughout his diverse career, J.D. has demonstrated strategic vision and the ability to drive all aspects of an organization, including operations, R&D, manufacturing, tech transfer, facility construction, business development, employee growth, and investor relations. He is an expert in diverse modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and cell and gene therapy. J.D. has held executive leadership positions as 

Head of Operations at Lonza and Executive Vice President of U.S. Operations at AGC Biologics. He has also held influential roles at innovators, including Genentech, Celgene, and Juno, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer at Treadwell Therapeutics. J.D. holds a Bachelor of Science from George Fox University and an MBA from Marylhurst University.

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.