PDA Forms Coronavirus Pandemic Response Task Force, New Advanced Therapy Advisory Board 23 April, 2020

Bethesda, Md. – The Parenteral Drug Association, Inc. (PDA) today announced two new volunteer opportunities and changes to its Board of Directors/Executive Committee following its spring Board of Directors meeting.

In response to the current global pandemic and its impact on manufacturing and supply chains, PDA’s Board chose to form a Coronavirus Pandemic Response Task Force. Consisting of volunteers from leading bio/pharmaceutical manufacturers, the Task Force will develop strategies to ensure the continued manufacturing and supply of product during an active outbreak with a specific focus on regulatory requirements as well as good manufacturing practices (GMPs) processes and controls. The end goal is to elucidate steps manufacturers can take to ensure the ability to meet current as well as increased supply demands for pharmaceutical products during these events.  The Coronavirus Pandemic Response Task will be led by Anil Sawant, Merck & Co., who also sits on the PDA Board of Directors.

Recognizing the growing importance and impact of cell and gene therapy products, the Board resolved to create an Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products Advisory Board. This new advisory board will oversee PDA projects and Interest groups in these areas as well as provide guidance to PDA in the development of events, trainings, and technical publications to assist companies developing gene therapy medicinal products, somatic cell therapy products, and tissue engineered products. Michael Blackton, VP Global Quality, Adaptimmune, LLC, and Stephan Krause, PhD, Head of Product Quality, AstraZeneca Biologics, have been appointed to form and lead the new advisory board.

PDA also named new members to its Board of Directors, as Glenn Wright left the all-volunteer body to join PDA staff as the Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory affairs in March. Melissa Seymour, Biogen, Inc., assumed the role of Treasurer; Emma Ramnarine, Roche Pharma, assumed the role of Secretary, and Stephan Roenninger, Amgen joined as a Director.

For more information about PDA, its volunteer boards and committees, and leadership, got to PDA’s website, www.pda.org.