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LIFE SCIENCES

Fireside Chat: Accelerating Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence: Leveraging Over 30 Years of Biotech Leadership and Cell Therapy Success
LIFE SCIENCES, VIDEO, LIFE SCIENCES

Fireside Chat: Accelerating Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence: Leveraging Over 30 Years of Biotech Leadership and Cell Therapy Success

Dr. Joanne Beck is currently Chief Technology Officer at Abata Therapeutics. Prior to this, she served as Chief Technology Officer at Aerium Therapeutics and COO at Boston Pharmaceuticals, a private company developing candidates across multiple indications in cardiometabolic, oncology, and immune/inflammatory diseases. Prior to joining Boston Pharmaceuticals, she was Executive Vice President of Global Pharmaceutical Development and Operations at Celgene where she oversaw the company’s Product Development, Global Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering and Quality. Prior to Celgene, she was SVP of Pharmaceutical Development at Shire. Prior to Shire she held roles of increasing responsibility in Process Development at Genentech and Amgen and in Operations at Abbott’s Pharmaceutical and Vascular Divisions. Beck holds a BA in Chemistry from Lewis and Clark College, a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of Oregon Medical School and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Beck serves on the board of directors for Orchard Therapeutics and Astria Therapeutics.

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Are We There Yet? – A Maturity Model for Enabling Process Monitoring and Learning in Biologics Manufacturing
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Are We There Yet? – A Maturity Model for Enabling Process Monitoring and Learning in Biologics Manufacturing

Dr. Jack Prior leads MSAT Process Monitoring & Data Science/AI Strategy at Sanofi, where he spearheads global initiatives in process monitoring and AI-driven yield improvement for biologics manufacturing. Previously as Head of MSAT Digital, he led teams working to develop global process data analytics systems and to digitize laboratory operations for Industrial Affairs Specialty Care drug substance and drug product manufacturing.

His leadership spans nearly three decades at Sanofi-Genzyme, where he has led manufacturing science organizations supporting process characterization, modeling, technology transfer, and manufacturing operations for critical therapies treating rare genetic disorders. Throughout his career, he has focused on integrating process modeling and advanced analytics with manufacturing science to enhance biologics production across US and European operations. He has led manufacturing science teams supporting multiple tech transfers across the Sanofi network, including the team supporting transfer to a new continuous single-use digital facility, while advancing approaches to process modeling and scale-up.

Dr. Prior holds a Doctor of Science in Chemical Engineering from MIT, where his research in data reconciliation for bioprocess development laid the foundation for his work in process monitoring and control. His current work continues to advance manufacturing science through the integration of digital technologies, process modeling, and AI in biologics manufacturing.

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Using Innovation to Accelerate & Optimize Your Drug Manufacturing Scale-Up Strategy
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Using Innovation to Accelerate & Optimize Your Drug Manufacturing Scale-Up Strategy

Joe Goodman is the General Manager of the Americas region for Honeywell Life Sciences, where his team partners strategically with the company’s global clients and prospects, identifying the quality and manufacturing system solutions that best fits their needs. Joe is recognized as a thought leader in the fields of quality systems, regulatory compliance, and the implementation of enterprise software within the Life Sciences manufacturing industry. Before joining Honeywell, Joe spent more than 7 years at Merrill Lynch as a Six Sigma Black Belt. He owes much of his penchant for process and solution design to his time spent in that role. Joe also speaks internationally at Compliance and Manufacturing events.

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Building Audit-Ready Facilities: Quality Leadership from Design to Commercial Launch
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Building Audit-Ready Facilities: Quality Leadership from Design to Commercial Launch

LeeAnn Chrisco is an accomplished Quality Assurance executive with over 20 years of leadership in GMP manufacturing and compliance. As Director of Quality Assurance at INCOG Biopharma Services, she provides strategic QA oversight across manufacturing, packaging, and quality control, ensuring global regulatory compliance. LeeAnn has led audit readiness, regulatory agency interactions, and facility startups for clinical and commercial operations. Her expertise spans technical transfer, aseptic processing, and quality systems innovation. A contributing author to ISPE and BioPhorum publications, LeeAnn brings deep industry insight and a passion for building high-performing quality cultures in fast-paced, regulated environments.

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Performance Management Beyond Limits: Elevating Operations Excellence Globally
LIFE SCIENCES

Performance Management Beyond Limits: Elevating Operations Excellence Globally

Chester Zelaya is the Senior Vice President of Implant Network Global Operations at Edwards Lifesciences, overseeing global facilities that support both Surgical Heart Valve and Trans-Catheter Divisions. With over 30 years of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries, Chester has a proven track record of driving operational excellence across diverse, multi-plant environments. Prior to joining Edwards, he held senior roles at Shire and Baxter, where he managed large-scale plasma manufacturing operations and led significant global initiatives. Chester also serves as a board member for Heart to Heart Global Cardiac Care, helping to expand access to life-saving cardiac treatments in underserved regions. His strategic vision, technical expertise, and commitment to building high-performing teams contribute to his success as a leader in the healthcare industry.

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How Medical Device Companies and CDMOs are Partnering Together to Drive Innovation and Serve Patients Better
LIFE SCIENCES, VIDEO, LIFE SCIENCES, PODCAST

How Medical Device Companies and CDMOs are Partnering Together to Drive Innovation and Serve Patients Better

In the run-up to the 2025 edition of the Medical Device Manufacturing Excellence Summit series we spoke with Shawn McCarthy, Jessica Swanson, and Peggy Hansen of Regenity Biosciences about exciting developments in the Medical Device space, with a particular emphasis on both the power of collaboration and the importance of a regulatory strategy. Regenity is an industry-leading CDMO working with 120 different industry partners and offering special expertise in regenerative devices. In this wide-ranging conversation we talk about industry trends, how medical device manufacturers are evolving to continue to meet the needs of patients, and also about some of the big ideas Regenity wants to share with the executives attending MDMES25. For all this and more, give this episode a listen!

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The Speaker Roundtable from BMWS24 — A Conversation About Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Issues and Ideas
LIFE SCIENCES, VIDEO, LIFE SCIENCES, PODCAST, ROUNDTABLES

The Speaker Roundtable from BMWS24 — A Conversation About Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Issues and Ideas

For this special episode of Executive Platforms’ bluEPrint Podcast series we had some of the most senior speakers and delegates from the 2024 edition of the long-running Biomanufacturing World Summit series sit down and speak to the challenges and opportunities submitted by attendees of the event as they filled out their delegate profiles, weighted by popularity.

With topics ranging from leadership and culture, to talent attraction, development and retention, to supply chain issues, to commercializing CGTs and other ATMPs, change and disruption throughout the business landscape, and how to serve patients better now and in the future, this wide-ranging conversation sees five senior executives from five very different companies speaking to the issues, ideas, innovations, and inspirations that matter to all of them as guided by a moderator who knows the industry inside and out. It is a fantastic deep dive into what is most relevant to biopharma technical operations leaders today. Give it a listen!

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Navigating the Modalities Landscape: Adapting Manufacturing Strategies for Future Therapeutic Advances
LIFE SCIENCES, VIDEO, LIFE SCIENCES

Navigating the Modalities Landscape: Adapting Manufacturing Strategies for Future Therapeutic Advances

Sanat Chattopadhyay is responsible for the company’s (approx. $64 billion revenue) worldwide manufacturing and supply operations across a global network of sites for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biologics and animal health products. Merck is known as MSD outside of the U.S. and Canada.

Sanat joined Merck in 2009 as Senior Vice President of Global Vaccines & Sterile Manufacturing Operations, spearheading the transformation of manufacturing and supply chain to grow and globalize its Vaccine business. Under Sanat’s leadership, Merck is currently executing a significant expansion of its biologics and vaccines manufacturing capacity with planned capital investments of more than $20 billion from 2020 through the end of 2024, to reach more patients around the globe.

Before joining Merck, he served as Senior Vice President, Technical Operations & Product Supply, for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Previously, he worked at Aventis and its predecessor companies as Senior Vice President, Industrial Operations, having served in many positions with increasing responsibilities for global supply chain, technology and manufacturing sites across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Sanat started his career with Hoechst Pharmaceuticals in 1983 and worked in many senior leadership assignments.

Sanat is a graduate in Chemical Engineering and holds a post-graduate degree in Industrial Engineering from India.

Outside of Merck, Sanat is a member of the Board of Directors of Ashland Inc.

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FUTURE READY: Addressing Current Challenges in Biomanufacturing with Reliability, Efficiency, Agility, Data & (High) Yields
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FUTURE READY: Addressing Current Challenges in Biomanufacturing with Reliability, Efficiency, Agility, Data & (High) Yields

Jerry Murry, is Senior Vice President of Process Development at Amgen. Jerry started his career at Amgen in 2006 as Executive Director, Process Development within the Translational Sciences organization in R&D, and was promoted to Vice President, Process Development in 2010. In 2012, Jerry joined the Amgen Full Potential Transformation team as lead of the initiative “Transforming Process Development at Amgen”(AFP3).

In 2014, as part of the integration and reorganization of a new single, global process development team, Jerry was named the head of CMC Lifecycle management with responsibility for Operations Commercialization activities including regulatory filings and launches.

In 2016, Jerry became head of Drug Product Technologies with responsibility for all formulation and product and process development.
In 2018, Jerry was promoted to Senior Vice President Process Development at Amgen with responsibilities for all global Process Development activities.

Prior to joining Amgen, Jerry spent 8 years at Pfizer Central Research and 6 years at Merck Research Laboratories in Process Development.

Jerry earned BA/BS in Biology and Chemistry at Texas Lutheran University, a PhD in Chemistry from University of Utah and was an NIGMS NIH Fellow at Harvard University.

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Innovative CMC Contributions: Advancing the Future of Patient Care, Society & Roche
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Innovative CMC Contributions: Advancing the Future of Patient Care, Society & Roche

Tongtong joined Genentech in 2018 as the head of Pharmaceutical Technical Development for US Biologics, and was named global head of Pharma Technical Development in April 2021. Prior to her role at Genentech, Tongtong held several scientific, managerial and strategic roles at Eli Lilly, with increasing responsibilities in the Bioproduct Research and Development organisation. Tongtong also worked at Corixa Corporation, a biotech company, where she gained valuable experiences both as a discovery scientist and as a CMC leader in support of therapeutic antibody and cancer vaccine platforms.

Tongtong received her B. Sc. in Molecular Biology from University of Science and Technology of China, a doctorate in Biology from Syracuse University, and completed her postdoctoral training in cell biology and yeast genetics at Cornell University.

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Authentic Leadership
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Authentic Leadership

As Chief Global Supply Officer, Executive Vice President, Mike McDermott leads Pfizer’s internal and external manufacturing and supply chain activities.

Mike and the Pfizer Global Supply (PGS) team work to ensure uninterrupted supply for Pfizer’s entire product portfolio. This includes hundreds of medicines and vaccines provided to more than 185 countries worldwide. The PGS network, which includes more than 30 global manufacturing sites and approximately 31,000 colleagues, also works with more than 300 contract manufacturers to produce 50 billion doses of medicines and vaccines each year.

Mike has more than 30 years of industry experience, having joined Pfizer in 1989, by way of Wyeth, after starting as a Project Engineer in Pearl River, New York. He has held many roles, including Plant Manager and Operational Vice President of multiple divisions, including Consumer Healthcare, Biotechnology and Supply Chain, as well as roles in Finance and Marketing.

He was named President of PGS in 2018 and assumed his current role in January 2022.

A passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Mike has enacted impactful changes to increase diversity within PGS and was recently named Executive Sponsor of Pfizer’s Women’s Resource Group, the company’s largest Colleague Resource Group.

In addition to ambitious goals related to product supply at launch and manufacturing cycle times, Mike and PGS support Pfizer’s Net Zero strategy, which includes delivering Greenhouse Gas reductions.

Mike, his wife Katie and their five daughters – of whom he is incredibly proud – are committed to community engagement and social action. An active volunteer himself, Mike was a Board Member for People to People, a non-profit organization which helps under-served communities, for 10 years.

Mike holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Industrial Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), where he has been an adjunct professor. He was named an NJIT Distinguished Alumnus and is the recipient of the 2023 Newark College of Engineering Outstanding Alumnus Award.

Mike serves on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Manufacturers and is a member of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Forum.

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Empowering A Culture of Operational Excellence For Sustainable Growth
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Empowering A Culture of Operational Excellence For Sustainable Growth

Tina Self is a dynamic leader with over 20 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, specializing in quality and manufacturing. Currently, she serves as the Senior Vice President of Global Biologics Manufacturing and Berkeley Site Head at Bayer. Tina has been with Bayer for over eight years, where she has held several key leadership roles, including Vice President of Manufacturing Operations and Vice President of Quality. She is recognized for her strategic oversight of manufacturing processes, commitment to quality assurance, and her ability to drive continuous improvement. Tina holds an MS in Biotechnology from The Johns Hopkins University and an MBA in International Business from Florida Atlantic University.

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Panel Discussion: Reflecting on the Past, Envisioning the Future: Shaping the New Landscape of Biomanufacturing
LIFE SCIENCES, VIDEO, LIFE SCIENCES

Panel Discussion: Reflecting on the Past, Envisioning the Future: Shaping the New Landscape of Biomanufacturing

Assessing Changes in the CMC Ecosystem: Are We Overbuilding Capacity Again?
Uniting for Success: Strategies to Prevent Fragmentation and Foster Collaboration in Biomanufacturing
Pioneering New Ventures: Reasons to Establish a New Company Today and Anticipating Future Growth in the Business Ecosystem
Evaluating Production Platforms for Emerging Modalities: Which Platforms Will Best Serve the Future of Medicine?
Navigating the Future of Existing Platforms: Efficiently Addressing Market Needs for Established Therapies such as mAbs, ADCs, and mRNA-based Treatments

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Welcome Day Panel: The Five Biggest Things Facing Our Shared Biomanufacturing Future
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Welcome Day Panel: The Five Biggest Things Facing Our Shared Biomanufacturing Future

Discussing the most important new technologies in biomanufacturing today, with a special emphasis on what we want to do as our industry matures
Debating how talent and workforce development in our industry is changing, and what we should do about it
Listing the current factors affecting speed of development and efficient manufacturing. How do we continue to improve in a changing business landscape with special reference to IRA and the BIOSECURE Acts?
Understanding the current Regulatory environment with an eye for how things are going to evolve into the future
How can we improve the access of biologic medicines?

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Accelerating the Pace of Progress for Innovative Biologic Products
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Accelerating the Pace of Progress for Innovative Biologic Products

Peter Marks received his graduate degree in cell and molecular biology and his medical degree at New York University and completed Internal Medicine residency and Hematology/Medical Oncology training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. He has worked in academic settings teaching and caring for patients and in industry on drug development. He joined the FDA in 2012 as Deputy Center Director for CBER and became Center Director in January 2016.

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