Our Leadership
Catalent has attracted a world-class array of strategic and operational talent to lead us into cutting-edge innovation and reliable supply for our customers. Meet our Biologics and Gene Therapy Senior Leadership Teams below.
Our Leadership
Catalent has attracted a world-class array of strategic and operational talent to lead us into cutting-edge innovation and reliable supply for our customers. Meet our Biologics and Gene Therapy Senior Leadership Teams below.
KAREN FLYNN
PRESIDENT, BIOLOGICS AND CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER
Karen Flynn was named President, Biologics and Chief Commercial Officer in 2020. Prior to joining Catalent, she served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. from 2016 to 2019, having previously served as that company’s President, Pharmaceutical Packaging Systems since 2014.
Ms. Flynn holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Boston University, a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Professional Studies (Pre-Med) from the University of Notre Dame. She serves on the Chester County Economic Development Council Board of Directors and the Downingtown STEM Academy Advisory Board, and previously served on the Board of Directors for Recro Pharmaceuticals.
PETE BUZY
PRESIDENT, PARAGON GENE THERAPY
Pete Buzy joined Paragon Bioservices in 2014 as the Chief Operating Officer, later moving into the role of President & Chief Executive Officer. Bringing with him more than 25 years of successful executive management experience, Pete grew the company into a premier CDMO with a leading position in gene therapy and next-generation vaccines. His expertise in growing companies was instrumental in leading the company to be acquired by Catalent (NYSE: CTLT) in 2019. Pete is now the President of the Paragon Gene Therapy division within Catalent Biologics.
Prior to Paragon, Pete spent more than 13 years as a senior executive at Martek Biosciences Corporation (NASDAQ: MATK), a leader in the innovation, development, production, and sale of high-value products from microbial sources. He played a key role in transforming Martek’s business from an R&D company to a fully integrated and profitable commercial organization with more than $470M in annual sales. Pete’s responsibilities also included overseeing a CMO business unit as well as managing annual R&D spending of over $6M including research activities in algal genomics and pharmaceutical cell line development. He also directed two significant GMP facility expansions totaling over $150M involving the addition of 200+ manufacturing employees during a two-year period.
While at Martek, as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Pete successfully raised more than $300M in both private and public financing. He successfully oversaw several large corporate acquisitions, collaborations, and licensing arrangements, cultivating company growth while setting the stage for Martek’s sale to Royal DSM NV in 2011 for nearly $1.1B. He also earned the 2011 Chief Financial Officer of the Year Award from the Technology Council of Maryland.
Prior to Martek, Pete spent 13 years at Ernst & Young where he advanced to Partner in the Northern Virginia High Technology and Life Science Practice, serving a variety of private and publicly traded biotechnology companies. A member of Paragon’s Board of Directors, Pete received a BBA in Accounting, from Salisbury University in Maryland and serves on the Board and Executive Committees of the Technology Council of Maryland.
MIKE RILEY
REGION PRESIDENT, BIOLOGICS, NORTH AMERICA
Mike Riley is the Regional Biologics President for North America and has overall responsibility for strategy and management of the biologics business in North America. Previously, he served as Vice President/General Manager of Catalent Biologics for five years. Mike has 15 years of experience at Catalent where he has a demonstrated track record of strategic growth leadership across multiple businesses, previously serving as Vice President of Strategy, Advanced Delivery Technologies and Vice President, Global Business Development for Catalent Sterile Technologies. Prior to joining Catalent, Mike worked as a management consultant for Marakon Associates, providing strategic advisory to companies across multiple industries. Mike holds a B.A. from Duke University, and a MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
MANJA BOERMAN, PH.D.
REGION PRESIDENT, BIOLOGICS, EUROPE
Manja Boerman is the Regional President for Catalent Biologics in Europe and has overall responsibility for strategy and management of the biologics business in Europe. Manja joined Catalent in December 2019. She has held several executive leadership positions at previous companies including President of Aesica Pharmaceuticals, President of Patheon Biologics, President of DSM Biologics and she served as CEO of biotech companies Kiadis Pharma and Regenesance. Manja started her career at DSM and held multiple business development and licensing and technology roles within DSM Biologics. She has over 20 years’ experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry and holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the State University of New York.
VIC VINCI, PH.D.
VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Victor Vinci is the Vice President of Product Development for Catalent Biologics with more than 25 years of technical and leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, he was the Vice President of Product and Process Development for Catalent Biologics’ Bloomington, Indiana facility where he oversaw product development, manufacturing sciences, and project management for the site. He joined Catalent Biologics following Catalent’s acquisition of Cook Pharmica where he also served as the Vice President of Product and Process Development. Prior to his time at Cook Pharmica, Vic spent six years as an Manufacturing Science & Technology section head at Merck & Co., Inc. before moving to Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis. At Lilly, he was responsible for leading a range of bioprocess development efforts including: process development, tech transfer from development to large-scale clinical trial and commercial production, and process optimization and characterization to assure manufacturability. He was the company lead for the A-Mab Quality-by-Design case study which was a groundbreaking industry-FDA collaboration. Victor holds a Bachelor’s degree in both chemistry and microbiology from Bowling Green State University, and a Masters and Ph.D. in microbiology from The Ohio State University.
KATHLEEN MUNSTER
VICE PRESIDENT, QUALITY
Kathleen Munster joined Catalent in February 2018 as Vice President, Quality. Kathleen is responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of quality and regulatory strategies, operational performance and driving “One Catalent” quality standards across the Biologics and Gene Therapy network, which includes seven manufacturing sites covering FDA, EMA and global regulatory markets. Prior to joining Catalent, Kathleen held roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where she worked for nearly 13 years and held roles of increasing responsibility within Quality, Supply Chain and IT. She played a key role in multiple pre-approval inspections, audits and launches during her tenure in BMS, including drug substance, API and drug product approvals. Her final role at BMS was at the Devens, Massachusetts facility, where Kathleen was responsible for a multi-faceted Quality Unit overseeing commercial manufacturing, clinical manufacturing and global stability testing. Prior to BMS, Kathleen worked for Merck & Co., Inc. Kathleen holds bachelor’s degrees from Lafayette College in Chemistry and German, as well as a MBA from Rutgers University.
THOMAS CASTELLANO
GLOBAL VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONAL FINANCE
Thomas Castellano is Global Vice President of Operational Finance for Catalent, Inc., supporting the company’s President & COO, and providing finance partnership on the strategic execution across the company’s business units. He is a member of Catalent’s Executive Leadership Team and the finance leader and business partner for the company’s Biologics business unit. Prior to this role, Tom was Vice President Finance, Investor Relations and Treasurer where he was responsible for optimizing the company’s capital structure and educating the investor base on Catalent’s growth story. Under Tom’s leadership, the company has raised more than $2 billion in the capital markets and doubled its enterprise value to more than $10 billion. He joined Catalent in 2008 to build out the company’s Financial Planning and Analysis group and played an integral role in the company’s initial public offering (IPO) in July 2014. His role expanded to include Investor Relations and Treasury immediately following the IPO.
Prior to joining Catalent in 2008, he worked with the capital markets finance group at Lehman Brothers, where he held roles of increasing responsibility. He began his career at Cendant Corporation as part of its financial leadership development program and was later promoted into the FP&A group of its real estate division. While at Cendant, he participated in the successful spin-off of Realogy Holdings Corporation in 2006.
Tom holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA, both from Seton Hall University.
GREG BLECK, PH.D.
GLOBAL HEAD OF R&D, BIOLOGICS
Greg Bleck is Global Head of Research and Development at Catalent Biologics with overall responsibility for development and acquisition of new products and technologies. Dr. Bleck has over 20 years in biopharma R&D. He received his BS and PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and performed postdoctoral work at the University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign working in the areas of gene regulation and expression. At Catalent, Dr. Bleck has transferred his knowledge of gene expression and transgenic systems to the development and continued optimization of retrovector expression systems and development of the proprietary GPEx® process. Dr. Bleck has published over 60 research papers and authored three book chapters. He has 14 issued patents and eight patents currently under review. His work at the University of Illinois was recently highlighted in a book about the greatest advances in the first 150 years of innovation at the University.
DENIS JOHNSON
VICE PRESIDENT / GENERAL MANAGER, BLOOMINGTON
Denis Johnson is currently the VP/GM of Catalent Biologics’ largest site in Bloomington, IN. He has been in a General Manager (GM) role within Catalent since 2016, first serving the complex controlled release oral dose site in Winchester, KY followed by Bloomington in January 2019. He has over 30 years of experience in logistics, supply chain, and operations. Prior to joining Catalent Mr. Johnson was the VP/GM of Operations at Boston Scientific for 13 years. He also has previous leadership positions at Johnson & Johnson, Teradyne, and Placon Corporation. Mr. Johnson also spent eight years serving the US Army as an officer in ordnance and logistics. He received his bachelor’s in economics from the University of Wisconsin and his MBA from the University of South Carolina.
BARBARA SAMBUCO
GENERAL MANAGER, ANAGNI
Barbara Sambuco is the General Manager of Catalent’s oral solid, sterile and biologic site in Anagni, Italy with more than 23 years of experience in product development, quality and operations. Ms. Sambuco joined Catalent following its acquisition of the Anagni site from Bristol-Myers Squibb where she spent 14 years leading different teams within the site as the General Manager, Manufacturing Technology Director, QC Director and Operations Director. Prior to Bristol-Myers Squibb she held leadership positions at Chiesi Farmaceutici, Hoechst and CTP, a pharmaceutical consultant company. Ms. Sambuco received her Bachelor in Chemistry and a Master in Biotechnology from the University of Rome “La Sapienza”.
GRAHAM BREARLEY, PH.D.
GENERAL MANAGER, MADISON
Dr. Brearley has over 30 years in the biopharma industry, primarily in the area of biologics. His experience includes process development, clinical and commercial manufacturing, facility management and business development. Prior to joining Catalent in June 2018, Dr. Brearley worked at Baxter, Baxalta and Shire for a combined 22 years, including roles as Plant Manager at multiple sites. He has a B.Sc. in Applied Biology and a Ph.D. in Protein Biochemistry.
KARIM ABDELKADER
VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, DRUG PRODUCT, NORTH AMERICA
Karim Abdelkader is Vice President of Business Development, Drug Product at Catalent Biologics with responsibility for leading and growing the drug product business in the US. Karim has over 20 years of experience in the CDMO space with a proven history of generating business growth while improving both profitability and customer satisfaction. Karim has an extensive and diverse background in global marketing, sales, business development and quality control and assurance. Prior to joining Catalent, Karim held roles of exceeding responsibility at Cook Pharmica, DSM, Baxter, Pfizer and Cook Pharmaceutical Solutions. Karim holds a B.S. in Biology from Marian University in Indianapolis, IN.
ANTHONY SHEEHAN
VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, DRUG PRODUCT, EUROPE
Anthony Sheehan is Vice President of Business Development, Drug Product at Catalent Biologics with responsibility for leading and growing the drug product business in the European region. Anthony has nearly 30 years of experience in business, working across multiple continents. With the last 10 years in the CDMO industry, he has a proven track record of generating business growth while improving both profitability and customer satisfaction. Anthony has an extensive and diverse background in general management, sales, business development, global sourcing and supply chain. Prior to joining Catalent, Anthony held roles at Stada AG, Saneca and Suir Pharma. Anthony holds a MBA and Business Degree from University of Limerick, Ireland.
JASON SPACEK
VICE PRESIDENT, COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS, NORTH AMERICA
Jason Spacek is Vice President, Commercial Operations of the North American region providing commercial management of existing customer relationships. He also works closely with Catalent Biologics’ business development leaders to support new opportunities across its Madison, Wisconsin and Bloomington, Indiana sites.
Jason comes to Catalent with extensive global business development and commercial strategy experience in the pharma and biotech industry, with a proven record of successfully coordinating sales team performance with operational excellence, maximizing revenue growth, and forging long-term customer partnerships that align with corporate goals and objectives. Previously, Jason was the Vice President, Commercial Operations at Alcami Corporation where he provided commercial leadership and strategic direction across three business units with 25 employees and a global sales team of approximately 50. In addition, he managed P&L accountability through coordination of marketing strategy, business development activities and operational planning to achieve tactical and strategic business goals. Prior to Alcami, Jason spent approximately 13 years at Lonza and held various leadership positions.
Mr. Spacek holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from University of Maryland, as well as a Master of Science in Cell Molecular Biology.
ANDREA COMO
VICE PRESIDENT, COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS, EUROPE
Andrea Como is the Vice President, Commercial Operations overseeing Europe and providing commercial management of existing customer relationships, while also working very closely with business development to support new opportunities in the region.
Andrea has extensive global business development and commercial experience with over fourteen years in contract development and manufacturing of small and large molecules. He has successfully built strong relationships across global biopharmaceutical companies and has an impressive track record growing sales at the regional and global level. Previously, Andrea was the Head of Business Development Drug Product, Europe and ROW for Siegfried. In this role, he managed the Business Development, Account Management and Sales teams in the Drug Product segment. He negotiated complex Development, Technology Transfer and Master Supply Agreements and led the implementation of the Drug Product Biologics Business. Prior to Siegfried, Andrea held various leadership positions during his nine-year tenure at Patheon.
Mr. Como holds a Masters in Chemistry and Pharmaceuticals Technology from the University of Milan, Italy.
BERNIE CLARK
VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & STRATEGY
Bernie Clark is the Vice President of Marketing and Strategy for Catalent Biologics. His responsibilities include leading the strategic business planning and market assessment process, managing strategic initiatives and product launches, as well as driving the execution of global marketing campaigns that ensure optimal targeting, messaging and lead generation among customer segments. Prior to Catalent, Bernie was the global head of marketing for LabCorp’s clinical trials division that included central lab, bioanalytical and specialty testing services such as companion diagnostics (CDx), advanced flow cytometry and next-generation sequencing (NGS). There, he had the opportunity to lead the global integration teams for marketing and communications after closing LabCorp’s $6.2 billion acquisition of Covance. Bernie holds a B.A. in Cognitive Psychology from Allegheny College, as well as MBA and MS in Marketing Management from the University of Maryland University College. He also serves on the executive committees of the American Marketing Association (AMA Philadelphia) and Global Clinical Supplies Group (GCSG).
MARIA VIRGINIA POLI
ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL
Maria Virginia Poli joined Catalent in July 2012 as Senior Legal Counsel to give support to the Softgel business unit in Latin America. In March, 2014 she was promoted to Assistant General Counsel and she remained as the legal lead for the Softgel business unit in the Latin America region. Lastly, in October 2016 Virginia was promoted to Associate General Counsel and relocated with her family from Buenos Aires to New Jersey in order to assume a broader role as Associate General Counsel for the BSDD Business Unit. Virginia is a member of the Legal & Compliance Department, providing direct support to the General Counsel and to the Company’s BSDD business unit, as well as providing support as needed to other attorneys on a wide variety of matters. Virginia is the senior legal resource for the BSDD business unit and a member of its Leadership Team, providing advice on, and assistance in negotiating and documenting, all commercial relationships, as well as mergers and acquisition matters and all other matters relating to the success of the business unit. Her responsibilities include legal advice and support, as needed, on such topics as business disputes, personnel matters, and real estate issues, as well as legal training for the business unit’s business development team. Prior to joining Catalent, Virginia held legal roles at Bayer in Argentina, where she worked for nearly 6 years. Prior to Bayer, Virginia worked for two top law firms located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Virginia holds a degree in Law (with Honors) from Buenos Aires University. She speaks fluently Spanish, English & Portuguese.
REKHA PATEL
DIRECTOR, BIOLOGICS ANALYTICAL SERVICES
Rekha Patel is Director, Biologics Analytical Services with responsibility for overseeing comprehensive CMC analytical solutions for biologics and large molecules at Catalent Kansas City for development and GMP needs. Rekha has more than 20 years of experience in biopharmaceutical analytics with the last 20 focused on Large Molecules and Biologics analytical. She joined Catalent Biologics from Aptuit where she was Director, Large Molecule Analytical Chemistry for nine years. Rekha holds a B.S. in chemistry from Missouri Southern State University, a Master’s of Science in analytical chemistry and a MBA in finance, both from University of Missouri, Kansas City.
FRANK LI, PH.D.
DIRECTOR, PROCESS DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Li joined Catalent Biologics following the acquisition of Cook Pharmica. He is the Director of Process Development at Catalent Bloomington and leads the process, analytical and formulation development to meet client drug substance and drug product development needs. He also serves as Adjunct Associate Professor in The Department of Industrial & Physical Pharmacy at Purdue University teaching various classes to graduate students and pharmacy students the biopharmaceutical development. Prior to his current role, Frank worked at Merck & Co. in various roles including, group leader for analytical method development and high throughput testing, group leader for biophysical characterization and later served as the Associate Principal Scientist in formulation development at Merck in Kenilworth, New Jersey. He was responsible for formulation development and fill finish process development for Merck biologics including monoclonal antibodies, therapeutic proteins and antibody-drug conjugates. At Merck, he was also the technical lead on the drug product process compatibility studies and responsible for process transfer to internal manufacture sites and CMOs. In a previous role at Merck, he led the analytical team supporting formulation development, cGMP testing for release and stability studies. He also led efforts on the biophysical characterization for sub-visible particle analysis and protein higher order structure characterization. Prior to joining Merck, Frank worked for Amgen as a scientist responsible for late stage drug product development including formulation, fill finish process development and lyophilization scale-up. Frank has a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from The University of Kansas, a M.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia and a B.Sc. in Chemistry from Peking University in Beijing. He has published over 10 peer-reviewed publications.
PHILIP W. WILLS, PHD
CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER
Philip Wills, Chief Commercial Officer at Catalent Paragon Gene Therapy, is a veteran business executive and scientist with nearly two decades of contract manufacturing experience, primarily focused in viral vectors and other complex biologics. After joining Paragon in 2002, Philip held positions of increasing scope and responsibility, including appointments as the Principal Scientist and VP of Business Development. His career began at the University of Maryland and worked in a variety of scientific roles in both the School of Medicine and Cancer Center.
Philip obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Maryland Medical School.
Ms. Wild is an accomplished Quality Executive/Leader with 30 years of experience. Most recently she ran a thriving consulting practice, for over 14 years, leading Quality Assurance focused initiatives for high profile clients such as Genentech, TEVA, Polynoma, Cytovance, CMC Biologics, etc. Managing her consulting on the side, Ms. Wild occupied full-time roles at Polynoma as VP of Quality Systems and VP of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at Victory Pharma.
Prior to launching her practice, she spent more than 17 years at Genentech, ending there as Director of Contract Manufacturing. Through her experience, Ms. Wild has earned a strong reputation for adding to company growth strategies by effectively transforming Quality organizations into strong business partners. Additionally, Ms. Wild was a member of the armed forces serving in the Army having been deployed to Desert Storm toward the end of her enlistment. She began as a Private First Class and left having achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.
GERARD FLEURY
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Gerard Fleury is an accomplished C-level leader with more than 20 years of experience across multiple industries. Prior to Paragon, Gerard held the role of Chief Financial Officer at Pharmaceutics International, Inc. (Pii), a privately held contract development and manufacturing organization providing dosage form development and manufacturing services to the global pharmaceutical industry, where he was responsible for the strategic and financial health of the company. He spent the early part of his career with Deloitte & Touche, rising to senior manager in the Emerging Business and Corporate Finance Groups. Since then, he has more than 25 years of experience as a CFO, COO or CEO of companies in the biotech, pharmaceutical, healthcare IT, and software industries. Gerard has managed organizations through turn-around situations as well as growth and optimization cycles, in companies ranging from pre-revenue to $350 million.
Gerard graduated from Towson University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. He has served on the boards of directors of or as an advisor to software, internet, data center, and utility companies.
THOMAS VANCOTT, PHD
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY AND STRATEGY OFFICER
Dr. VanCott joined Catalent Biologics | Paragon Gene Therapy following 14 years as the President and CEO of Advanced Bioscience Laboratories, Inc. (ABL), a contract manufacturing and laboratory research services company focused on bringing vaccines and therapies from clinical stages to the commercial marketplace. Previously, Dr. VanCott served as Executive Vice President of Operations and Director of Product Development at ABL. Before joining ABL, he held several positions at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine. He also served as a U.S. Army Captain in the Medical Service Corps at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He received his PhD in Physical Chemistry from University of Virginia and a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Dickinson College.
RUBY HOFFMAN
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Ruby Hofmann brings over 25 years of human resources experience to Paragon. Ruby is a dynamic HR Business leader with demonstrated success in creating business-driven HR strategies. Her passion is leading culture and talent transformational initiatives which result in fueling business growth.
Recognized for her business acumen and client-focused HR solutions, Ruby has had a successful career partnering with business leaders to create executable strategies leading to HR and Business Transformation. She has HR expertise in developing focused, results-oriented solutions that advance organizational performance, deliver a strong workforce, and develop exceptional leadership. She works with leaders to proactively identify change management opportunities and create plans to mitigate business risk.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hofstra University and a Masters of Science degree in Social Work from Columbia University.
RANDY HENRICKSON
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, MANUFACTURING
Randy Henrickson has over 20 years of experience in site leadership, process development and technical support in the biotechnology field. His experience spans from early development to commercial launch of biological and vaccine products. During his career, he has worked for a variety of companies ranging from large pharmaceutical, start-up biotechnology, and contract manufacturing/development organizations (CDMO). Most recently, he was the SVP of Operations & Site Head at KBI Biopharma, a world-class CDMO. In this role, he led all aspects of site operations including business/client development. Before KBI Biopharma, he was the Director of Biological Tech Ops at Merck & Co., Inc. leading a development group that produced several clinical product candidates. He was also a Process Engineering Mgr at Insmed Therapeutic Proteins. Randy has a Masters of Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University.
GEORGE BUCHMAN, PHD
VICE PRESIDENT, PRECLINICAL AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Buchman brings more than 30 years of highly cross-functional experience in the biotechnology industry to Paragon Gene Therapy, including roles in molecular diagnostics, R&D, leadership roles in manufacturing, fermentation and process development, global program management, business development and custom protein, VLP and viral vector development and production. At Paragon, George has held Principal Investigator roles for vaccine production including Ebola and second-generation HPV. He directs an industry leading development team specialized in broad offerings including viral vectors, native and oncolytic viruses, as well as gene editing and vaccine technologies, and analytical development, among other disciplines.
Before joining Paragon in 2014, George spent 8 years at Chesapeake PERL (C-PERL) as Vice President of Operations and Chief Scientific Officer, primarily as Principal Investigator on multiple grants and contracts across a number of federal agencies, and as subcontractor to Prime Contractors for the custom production of influenza and bioactive proteins, and VLPs. Prior to C-PERL, George worked for 5 years in global program management and business development roles at Celera Genomics and GeneLogic Corporation, both informatics businesses. He started in his post-doctoral career at Life Technologies, where he worked in a series of cross-functional roles and was a member of the Global Leadership team. George provided oversight for build-out of a cGMP-compliant protein production facility, and gained substantial experience directing groups in DNA and protein-related manufacturing and process development.
George received his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Albright College, and received his PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland, College Park where he was the first to decode and publish on the genetic basis for the lantibiotic class of polypeptide antibiotics.
FERDINAND HAMADA
DIRECTOR, BIOLOGICS, CATALENT RTP
Ferdinand Hamada is the Vice President of Information Technology supporting Catalent Biologics, providing IT partnership on the strategic direction and execution of digital transformation initiatives for the business unit. He spearheads the strategic planning process for IT, building out the digital transformational roadmap initiatives and forward-thinking by identifying innovation opportunities for automation, improvement of cost-effectiveness. Additionally, as the CISO, Ferdinand’s overall responsibilities for Catalent IT include Information Security, Risk Management & Compliance. He also heads up Computer Systems Validation, MDM/BI, Enterprise Architecture and Enterprise Applications for Quality & Compliance systems. Ferdinand’s main goal is to ensure IT is providing business value and meeting business objectives. He is responsible for execution of transformational roadmap initiatives including project delivery and deployment of technical solutions in support of those business objectives.
Ferdinand has been in IT in the Pharmaceutical/Life Sciences industry his whole career. Prior to joining Catalent in 2014, Ferdinand was in the Advisory consulting group for KPMG serving their top pharma clients. His responsibilities included overall planning and coordination, budgeting, execution and delivery on a global scale inclusive of oversight and quality assurance. Based on his industry experience, Ferdinand has a deep understanding of compliance and regulation around FDA, GxP, CSV, 21CFRPart 11, HCC/P, and Sarbanes-Oxley. Prior to KPMG, he also worked in different IT functions at Cardinal Health and Merck. Ferdinand went to Rutgers University for Computer Information Systems and Economics.
WIM BLENDEMAN
GENERAL MANAGER, BRUSSELS
Wim Blendeman serves as General Manager for Catalent’s European flagship syringe filling site in Brussels, Belgium. He has been with Catalent for nearly two decades, holding various leadership roles of increasing responsibility within Engineering, New Product Introduction, and Business Transformation. In addition to his breadth of knowledge of the Brussels site, Wim has extensive experience within Customer Excellence and Commercial Operations. He began his career in 1997 at Innogenetics in Manufacturing Operations and Development. Wim holds degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Catholic University College Ghent and in Mechanical Engineering from University College Ghent, as well as an MBA from Vlerick Business School.
MARIO GARGIULO
VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS
Mario Gargiulo is the Vice President of Operations for Catalent Biologics, overseeing five manufacturing sites across the US and Europe. Mario has almost 30 years of technical and leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, he was the VP Operations for our Oral Delivery business. Mario joined Catalent in 2017 from Bristol-Myers Squibb where he worked for 12 years and covered roles of increasing responsibility up to VP Global Pharmaceutical Manufacturing where he was responsible for all the Pharmaceutical sites of the company. Prior to his time at BMS, Mario worked for Sanofi, Serono and Novartis in roles spanning from Operations, Quality and Supply Chain. A native of Italy, Mario earned a bachelor’s and master’s in Chemistry from the University “Federico II” of Naples.