Dean Edney Head of Process R&D at SAI Life Sciences
I have worked with Robert on many occasions over our careers. Throughout these varied interactions I have always found Robert to be a supportive and collaborative colleague. He is always happy to share his experience and knowledge with individuals and teams. Memorable examples include the way in which Robert used his detailed understanding of crystallisation science to design and then implement a particle formation workflow which was then used by synthetic chemists, process engineers and particle scientists to develop better understood and more robust crystallisation processes for intermediates and APIs. Later, I worked with Robert when I led the technical development of a paediatric stickpack formulation where we were finding it difficult to develop a robust powder filling process. Robert provided invaluable Particle Sciences and Engineering advice both to me directly and via his team. This input helped us to address the filling issue and ultimately deliver a manufacturing process to support commercial launch of the product.
Sander van den Ban FIChemEHead of Formulation Sciences at Reckitt Benckiser
I worked with Robert on the development of Trametinib/Mekinist Tablets whilst he was Project Manager. Near our commit to launch milestone we faced a very complex formulation problem linked to instability of the DMSO solid state form. This resulted in a challenge to acceptance of the regulatory file and the potential need to initiate a refrigerated supply chain for a life extending oncology product (and combination with Dabrafenib/Tafinlar). Robert immediately set-out to organise a team of various experts across the business in R&D, Quality, and Manufacturing of API and Drug Product. He used his own deep technical understanding to provide a very clear structure to enable all involved to positively contribute in a crisis-meeting set-up with efficient minimal governance. This led to the rapid identification of root cause and a number of complex mitigations implemented across global manufacturing sites and the supply chain. We worked jointly to address our regulatory file and response to questions with a data and science based response, the product achieved its intended PDUFA date and a first pass regulatory file.
Stephen Hermitage Senior Director, Chemistry, Chemical Development at GSK
Robert and I collaborated on the development of Tafenoquine whilst he was Project Leader. Robert is an inclusive people leader and brought technical expertise around crystallisation development of the API. He is highly organised and can break complex problems down into structured interrelated workstreams; on Tafenoquine he defined workstreams around the chemistry, formulation and API crystallisation both within GSK but also with a 3rd party supplier in India. He and his team developed the API step to provide tight control of Particle Size to avoid a capping and lamination problem which would have derailed the project.
Garry O’Connor Materials Scientist Team Leader at Pfizer
Robert organised a cross industry network so major pharma companies could benchmark their pre-competitive capability and ways of working in the solid state. This was very well organised with an emphasis on understanding and aligning on UK cross pharma challenges facing the small molecule solid state discipline. I found this forum was particularly helpful to build my network and was a great way for industry to discuss a wide range of topics including recent science through to the latest opportunity UK government funded large academic collaborations.
Robert is an energetic hands-on manager, whose broad business experience of the API process development process and in-depth technical expertise in crystallisation, isolation and drying make him an invaluable asset to any pharmaceutical company. He is a decisive leader, who makes sound decisions based on critically reviewed data generated by well structured plans. As a colleague, he is very pleasant and supportive, equally comfortable with seeking or giving advice where appropriate.