AMRI is expanding its multipurpose pilot plant facilities in Aurangabad, India for non-GMP manufacturing services to 1,000-liter scale capacity, which will allow the company to provide customized pilot scale materials. The new facility will serve as an extension to AMRI’s kilo lab capabilities in Hyderabad, which operates to 100 liters in scale. The plant's first production run is currently underway.
   
“We are pleased to offer another high value alternative to our customers seeking the cost benefit of doing business in Asia, but retaining the quality they expect from a U.S. based-organization. Separately, we look forward to realizing cost savings at our U.S. manufacturing operations by becoming our own provider for some raw materials, eliminating third party costs in both money and lead time. This expansion further demonstrates AMRI’s investment and focus in building a worldwide drug discovery and development platform,” said chairman, chief executive officer and president Thomas E. D’Ambra, Ph.D.
   
The company noted that certain plant production will be dedicated to making starting materials for the company’s U.S. manufacturing facilities, reducing the plant’s reliance on external resource providers.

Nicholas Moore, Ph.D. has been named director of development and pharmacology, discovery R&D, AMRI. Dr. Moore will be responsible for the company's internal R&D portfolio, including the progression of discovery phase programs and the guidance of emerging candidates toward clinical trials. Dr. Moore will report to Bruce Sargent, Ph.D., vice president of discovery R&D.  
   
Dr. Moore has more than 27 years of industrial experience in experimental pharmacology and drug development from early discovery through late clinical phases. Most recently, he was responsible for behavioral pharmacology at Lundbeck Research USA as an associate director in the neuroscience division. Prior to Lundbeck, Dr. Moore spent 23 years in neuroscience discovery research at the Lilly Research Center in roles of increasing responsibility. He has extensive knowledge of preclinical studies, product in-licensing, due diligence and laboratory animal science. While at Lilly he directed the preclinical studies required for the successful development and commercialization of schizophrenia  drug Zyprexa.
   
“Dr. Moore’s skills and experience strengthen our R&D capabilities, helping us build on our existing platform which has already delivered an AMRI oncology compound into Phase I, and in collaboration with BMS, the nomination of two clinical candidates, one of which is currently enrolled into Phase I studies by BMS,” said Dr. Sargent.

Wendy Shusko has been named chief operating officer of WellSpring Pharmaceutical. In her new role, Ms. Shusko will maintain financial responsibilities as well as broaden her oversight to operations with an initial focus on the newly acquired consumer brands product line.
       
Ms. Shusko joined the company in 2000 and most recently served as chief financial officer. She has more than 20 years of experience in finance and operations, with 16 of those years in the pharmaceutical industry. From 1992 until joining the company, Ms. Shusko worked in various management and financial positions for Roberts Pharmaceutical, an international pharmaceutical company, including director of finance and financial operations.
       
"WellSpring's success thus far can be attributed to driven efforts toward a common vision.  I am now asking Ms. Shusko to apply her experience and skills to operations with the anticipation that we will continue that trend in the years to come," said Dr. Robert A. Vukovich, WellSpring's chief executive officer and chairman.

News from our sister sites