From synthesis to crystallization: bridging early discovery and process development

Dr. Sophie Janbon completed her Ph.D. at the School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Sciences (SCEAS), at the University of Manchester in Prof. Roger Davey's group. Sophie's research topic was understanding crystallization pathways from thermotropic liquid crystalline states. Sophie started as a Senior Crystallisation Scientist at AstraZeneca in 2007. Her main activity was to develop robust crystallization processes for APIs to provide suitable crystalline form and particle properties for downstream processes, including efficient isolation/drying, formulation development, and drug product manufacture. These engineered physical attributes ensure patients receive consistent and safe investigational medicines. Sophie is currently a Director at AstraZeneca, leading a team of specialists in Biocatalysis, Crystallisation Science, Material/Particle Science, and Process Engineering.

As a Team Leader in the Solid-State group at Eurofins CDMO Alphora, I have had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse range of clients and projects. I have over a decade of experience in characterizing materials and more than five years in pharmaceutical research. My focus is on ensuring robust processes that consistently deliver high-quality materials, overcoming unique challenges with innovative solutions. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my cat and playing Aussie Rules Football.

Dr. Gerard Capellades is a fifth-year Assistant Professor at Rowan University’s Department of Chemical Engineering. Crystallization has been his primary research field for the past 13 years, always in close collaboration with industry. He earned his PhD in 2017 from the Technical University of Denmark and Lundbeck, followed by postdoctoral research at MIT. Currently, he leads the Crystallization Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering (CSPE) lab at Rowan University. His group focuses on understanding the role of solvents and impurities on small-molecule crystallization kinetics, developing new diagnostics and process design strategies for impurity rejection in crystallization, designing molecular solid solutions, and using high-throughput screening and digital twins to design crystallization processes. CSPE has collaborated with several industrial partners, including Pfizer, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Merck, and Indatech. Multiple pharmaceutical companies, the US National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Kern Family Foundation have funded the lab. Dr. Capellades has received multiple awards, including the prestigious NSF CAREER award to work on impurity retention mechanisms. For his approach to teaching industrial crystallization to undergraduates, he was named one of last year's 30 KEEN Engineering Unleashed Fellows.

Dr. V. Nicholas Vukotic is Assistant Professor and NSERC/PROTO Industrial Research Chair in X-ray Diffraction and Crystalline Materials. He holds a B.Sc. in Biochemistry (2009) and a Ph.D. in Chemistry (2014) from the University of Windsor. In his former role as Principal Scientist at PROTO Manufacturing, he led the development of innovative X-ray diffraction instruments, securing multiple patents and bringing advanced research tools to market. He currently leads a multidisciplinary research group at the University of Windsor, focused on developing high-throughput technologies for the rapid discovery and characterization of solid-state crystalline materials. His team specializes in crystal engineering strategies to optimize pharmaceutical solid forms, co-crystals, and materials for molecular capture and controlled release. With a strong track record of translating research into real-world applications, he collaborates closely with industry partners to drive innovation and tool development for pharmaceutical formulation, drug delivery, and solid-state chemistry.

Jeff Etter is the principal at Etter CMC Consulting, LLC which specializes in all aspects of CMC development and manufacturing of pharmaceutical products including drug substance, drug product, formulation, analytical methods, and CMC regulatory submissions. He has recently been working largely in the area of nuclear medicinal product development. He received his BA from Franklin & Marshall college in Chemistry (1882), and PhD from the University of Colorado in Organic Chemistry (1987).  He has worked in a number of roles in biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies including process development, QC, analytical development, formulation development, and the identification and management of CDMOs in companies ranging from initial start-ups through big pharma. 

Dr. Bilal Hoblos is a Senior Scientist within the Chemical Process Development Department at Bristol Myers Squibb. Prior to starting in August 2021, he completed his PhD at Temple University in Prof. Sarah Wengryniuk’s group where he focused on the total synthesis of natural products using novel hypervalent iodine-mediated ring expansion methodology. Since being at BMS, he has gained experience in early and commercial-stages of drug development of small molecules and biomolecules with the primary goals of delivering robust processes and high quality intermediates or API’s.  

Junliang Liu is currently working as process chemist at Telescope Innovations in Vancouver, Canada. He finished his PhD from Professor Jason Hein's lab at the University of British Columbia, where his research focused on the development and applications of process analytical technologies.