Scottish CMO makes US appointment

Caption: US BOOST: Doctor Thomas Scullion joins Symbiosis

Senior appointment made just weeks after the sterile manufacturing specialist unveiled a significant surge in demand for its services from the US, driven by biotechnology firms looking for small-scale aseptic manufacturing capabilities in the EU to support clinical trials.

The UK-based contract manufacturing organisation (CMO) has appointed Dr Thomas Scullion as a US business development manager to aid the company’s growing commercial interests and client relationships in the US.

The senior appointment has been made just weeks after the sterile manufacturing specialist unveiled a significant surge in demand for its services from the US, driven by biotechnology firms looking for small-scale aseptic manufacturing capabilities in the EU to support clinical trials.

Thomas joins the CMO’s commercial team having worked in business development for the world’s largest drug discovery CRO. He has spent the majority of his career working within the life science industry across both the public and private sectors.

Colin MacKay, CEO at Symbiosis Pharmaceutical Services, said: “North America continues to be the strongest area of growth for our business so it is essential that we have the best expertise and a sufficient resource in place to drive opportunities for commercial development alongside managing existing relationships in this key territory.

“Many US companies undertaking clinical trials in the EU are electing to use a GMP manufacturer who is based in that market, such as Symbiosis, to facilitate effective compliance with the QP requirements demanded for release of drug product for clinical trial use.

“Thomas has an impressive track record and we expect he will bring great energy and strategic focus to his new role. Our reputation continues to grow in the outsourcing sector as the ‘go-to’ CMO for small-scale sterile filling and our newest recruit will proactively promote and reinforce this core message in the US.”

Symbiosis specialises in the aseptic fill/finish of biologic and small molecule pharmaceutical products into vials. The CMO focuses on the sterile manufacture of injectable drug products in both liquid and lyophilized formulations.

With a PhD in neuropharmacology, Thomas will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships in the US, prospecting new opportunities and helping the company’s strategic expansion in the territory.

Thomas said: “I was initially attracted to Symbiosis due to the company’s impressive historical growth together with its strong presence and reputation in the contract manufacturing sector.

“Having met the CEO Colin and the rest of the commercial team, I was drawn by the undeniably infectious ambition of the company. As an ambitious individual, I know that opportunities to become an important influencer in such a dynamic CMO are few and far between.

“There is a real sense of togetherness in the business and I look forward to taking the company’s world class capabilities to the US and delivering even greater commercial success based on our proven competitive strengths.”