Andy Racher Email & Phone Number

Sheffield, Gb

Cambridge, England, Gb

Basel, Ch

Basel, Ch

My key responsibilities are to:• Provide scientific and technical leadership in all areas of future biosynthesis platforms (including next-generation mammalian, microbial and cell-free expression systems) and their interface with bioprocessing.• Provide project leadership in future biosynthesis platforms, including coordination of mid- and long-term activities (technology scouting, development of collaborations with industry, suppliers and academia, in-licensing opportunities, and exploitation of external funding opportunities).• Define and recommend strategies for future biosynthesis platforms to achieve level of innovation required to maintain Lonza’s leadership position as a CRMO and enhance its competitive advantage.• Identify emerging trends that impact Lonza’s competitive advantage in areas of expression systems and update strategies accordingly.

Basel, Ch

My key responsibilities were to:• Ensure that we provide the scientific and technical leadership that enables Process Development to develop mammalian cell culture processes for manufacturing therapeutic proteins. This includes leading the resolution of issues that may affect the manufacture of therapeutic proteins – involving, when appropriate, forming and leading multidisciplinary teams.• Ensure that we identify emerging trends and provide strategies to both Process Development and Manufacturing to respond to the evolving environment.• Coach and mentor the next generation of scientific high-fliers within Process Development.• Lead and manage a team of very experienced and high-achieving process development scientists• Support Sales and Business Development groups globally in winning new business and maintaining existing business, frequently through face-to-face contacts.To date my key achievements are:• Led the scientific team that successfully delivered major upgrade to GS Gene Expression System.• Key member of the team supporting the successful global commercial launch of the upgraded platform. In particular, I supported the sales team with briefings and presentations to customers globally.

Basel, Ch

I was the joint Head of Department, with responsibility for 65-70 FTEs, whilst re-structuring of Process Development was undertaken. The department was responsible for constructing, selecting, and developing cell lines and bioreactor culture processes for cGMP manufacture of therapeutic proteins; undertook pre-BLA activities; developed new technologies; and was responsible for cGMP cell banking.

Basel, Ch

My key responsibilities:• Principal Investigator on multi-centre collaboration with academic partners• Scientific lead and member of Research Committees on long-term, multi-project collaborations with industrial collaborators to improve GS platform• Introduction of robotic systems to improve efficiency of department’s cell culture processes• Scientific leadership for new technology programmesKey Achievements• Developed FACS-based method for generating clonal cell lines that reduced previous fastest timeline by 5 weeks to 22 weeks, and eliminated use of animal-origin components.• Further development of stable transfectant pool protocol, so that it’s routinely used in-house for material supply and widely used by GS licensees.• Developed strategy for automating cell line construction process.• Initiated collaboration with University of Newcastle that introduced advanced process control and MVA techniques to Lonza.

Basel, Ch

I was the acting Head of Department, covering maternity leave. During this time I was responsible for 61 FTEs and a budget of several million pounds. The department constructed, selected and developed cell lines and bioreactor processes for cGMP manufacture of therapeutic proteins; undertook pre-BLA activities; developed new technologies; and was responsible for cGMP cell banking.

Basel, Ch

Senior Principal Scientist (Nov 2004 - Dec 2005)Principal Scientist (Nov 2003 - Oct 2004)

Basel, Ch

Principal Scientist (1999 - May 2003)Senior Scientist (1996 - 1999)Group Leader (1995 - 1996)

Senior Grade Microbiologist 1990 -1993Basic Grade Microbiologist 1988 - 1990

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), "Studies On Ammonium Assimilation In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae"

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Applied Biology

Diploma In Statistics, Mathematics And Statistics