Derek Richards has been appointed business development manager based in the U.S. at Symbiosis Pharmaceutical Services to oversee business development activities across the East Coast. The company also plans to appoint a senior executive to look after commercial interests on the West Coast in the New Year.
 
Mr. Richards will work closely with the company’s commercial team in Europe to help build the company’s profile in the U.S., promote its manufacturing capabilities and increase uptake of its aseptic vial filling services in the North American market.
 
Mr. Richards has worked across the pharmaceutical sector for 20 years and brings an extensive track record in the sterile manufacturing and clinical development sector to his new role. 

 
Colin MacKay, chief executive officer at Symbiosis, said, “Our investment in the U.S. market over the next few months is very much a measure of our commitment to meet the growing demand of biotech companies that require a contract sterile fill/finish partner like us to help get their products to clinical trials in absolute compliance with regulatory standards and in the most time-efficient manner possible. Derek brings a great amount of industry experience and established contacts to drive the development of new and existing relationships in the U.S.”
 
Symbiosis’ specializes in sterile injectables and the aseptic manufacturing of drug products, which are either liquid or lyophilized formulations filled into vials. Its core manufacturing capability is undertaken within a purpose-built facility in Stirling, Scotland, specifically designed for the manufacture and quick release of sterile drug products at clinical and niche market scale.