Andrew Cowen

Group Chairman

Dr. Kevin Ward

Director of R&D

Kevin joined Biopharma in March 2000, at an early stage of the R&D division. A graduate in Applied Chemistry, Kevin received his Ph.D. for investigations into the freeze-drying of pharmaceutical formulations and drug/vaccine delivery systems. Prior to joining the team, Kevin worked at Pfizer Central Research and as a Research Fellow in vaccine development at Aston University. Kevin lectures on freeze drying extensively, as part of our freeze drying training courses and as a regular on the conference circuit, as well as havings been an industrial supervisor to two PhD students.

David Banks

Head of Technical Services

David rejoined Biopharma in 2013 as Senior Scientist having worked as a co-ordinator in the National Health Service and gaining experience working in a variety of analytical laboratories; David was promoted to R&D and Laboratory Manager in January 2016. David worked for Biopharma for four years, having studied for a BSc in Neuroscience at the University of Manchester during when he built up significant experience in the freeze-drying industry, providing analytical research, consultancy and cycle development for customers worldwide.

Dr. Edmond Ekenlebie

R&D Manager

Edmond joined the team in 2014 after a PhD from Aston University in Birmingham, UK. His PhD focused on the optimisation of the bulk freeze drying process and the implications of powder rheology using methods including the novel use of Micro X-ray tomography. He also holds an MSc in Pharmaceutical Science with Management Studies (Distinction) from Kingston University in London. He is extremely passionate about freeze drying and maintains an interest in intellectual property across the freeze drying patent landscape.

Dr. Pranav Bhujbal

Principal Scientist

Formulation & Analytical Development

Pranav joined Biopharma in August 2018 as a Senior Scientist. He previously worked as a Formulation Scientist for Aesica Pharmaceuticals Ltd, UK and Product Development Scientist for LMML, UK, which involved dosage form development, technology transfer and scale-up activities. In 2016, he received his PhD in Liposomal Drug Delivery from Aston University. During his PhD, he implemented the QbD approach to develop photosensitive liposomes using freeze drying and several analytical techniques. Over the years, he has acquired in-depth experience in cell culture assays, pre-formulation studies, and quality-by-design concepts. He also holds an MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences with Distinction from the University of Greenwich.

Chelsea Gemmell

Production Manager

Chelsea came to Biopharma in November 2016, having worked in a Russell Group University as a Laboratory Technician for Life Sciences. Previously she worked in an environmental chemistry laboratory, after graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Zoology at Reading University. Chelsea is responsible for the day-to-day laboratory housekeeping duties, the calibration/validation of our laboratory equipment, customer analysis, data interpretation and writing customer reports.

Sarannya Chandran

R&D Scientist & Lab Quality Coordinator

Sarannya joined Biopharma in September 2019 as Research Assistant, and has subsequently become Research Scientist & Quality Coordinator. She holds a Postgraduate certificate in Research Training in Biological Science from the University of Portsmouth as well as a Masters degree in Biotechnology. She has previously worked in an environmental laboratory as a Laboratory Technician. At Biopharma, Sarannya is responsible for assisting Senior Scientists with freeze drying analysis, maintenance of lab supplies and stocks, monthly validation of lab equipment’s, performing analysis and composing customer reports.

Sam Woodyard

R&D Scientist

Sam joined Biopharma Group in July 2020 after having graduated from Reading University with a degree in Biological Sciences. He has previously completed a research project analysing proteins involved in white blood cell aggregation for Reading University. As the Research Assistant at Biopharma Group, Sam is responsible for day-to-day laboratory housekeeping duties, assisting Senior Scientists with freeze drying analysis, maintenance of lab supplies and stocks and writing customer reports.

Dr. Bhaskar Pandya

Senior Scientist

Bhaskar joined the team in 2021 after a PhD from De Montfort University in Leicester, UK. His PhD was centred on the process monitoring of the freezing stage and primary drying endpoint using through vial impedance spectroscopy (TVIS). Prior to joining Biopharma Group, he had a brief stint in medical writing within health economics outcomes research (HEOR) at SmartAnalyst in India. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science with a sandwich industrial placement within product development of Zydis® ODT at Catalent in Swindon, UK. He also holds a Masters by Research (MRes) from University College London, where his research involved exploring the paediatric application of hot melt extrusion and cyclodextrins for reformulating a poorly soluble active ingredient. Bhaskar is also an occasional Tabla player (Indian drums) having played at various events since childhood.

Mervyn Middleton

Senior Scientist

Mervyn re-joined Biopharma Group as Senior Scientist in 2021 having worked as a Team Leader in Sterile Operations at Bio Products Laboratory (BPL). At BPL, Mervyn gained considerable experience of the operation of production freeze-dryers, as well as experience of the management of GMP cleanroom environments used for aseptic filling. Whilst working at BPL, Mervyn attained his Master’s degree in Biopharmaceuticals from King’s College London, having conducted a research project within the R&D department focusing on the impact of viricidal heat treatment processes on Factor VIII/ vWF concentrates.

Mervyn first joined Biopharma Group in 2009 after graduating from the University of Portsmouth with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. He previously worked at the Biopharma Group for 6 years, where he gained significant experience of analytical methods associated with freeze-drying cycle development and optimisation.

Niloo Ganji

R&D Scientist

Niloofar joined Biopharma Group in September 2020 after graduating from the University of Southampton with a masters in Genomic Medicine. Her research project at university focused on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and examined the differentiation of protein splicing and expression in the C9orf72 gene. As a Research Assistant at Biopharma Group, Niloofar is responsible for supporting Senior Scientists with freeze drying analysis, day-to-day laboratory housekeeping duties, maintaining lab supplies and stocks, and writing customer reports.