In this Leadership Spotlight, we talk to Associate Director of Manufacturing Operations, Dipak Gordhan, about his career, current role and changes at Upperton.
Tell us about your background in the pharmaceutical industry.
I entered the pharmaceutical industry in 2013, starting in formulation development as a placement scientist. Throughout my career, I’ve been dedicated to seeing projects through from the benchtop to all phases of clinical trials and commercial manufacturing, ensuring seamless transitions and successful outcomes. My expertise extends globally, with products reaching markets in Europe and the US. I’ve worked for companies such as Aesica, and Juniper (later known as Catalent), where I broadened my experience by playing pivotal roles in onboarding and qualifying new equipment and supporting quality assurance commercial readiness activities.
My educational background includes a Bachelor’s in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science from De Monfort University, and I’m currently in the final stages of completing my Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Nottingham, a journey spanning six years of rigorous academic pursuit and research.
What is your role at Upperton?
I started my journey with Upperton in August 2022 as a Manufacturing Manager, assuming responsibility for overseeing the technical and clinical batches being manufactured. Within a year, I transitioned to the role of Associate Director of Manufacturing Operations, with a focus on process development and scale-up initiatives, whilst also overseeing all clinical manufacturing activities. My client-facing role supports business development with new projects and facilitates a seamless transition of projects from research and development to clinical manufacturing. My involvement from Phase 1 through to late phase clinical manufacture includes the identification and resolution of any scale-up challenges to ensure continuity and efficiency throughout the clinical manufacturing process.
What does your team get involved in?
One arm of my team operates between research and development and clinical manufacturing, serving as a vital support network, focusing largely on technical transfer and scale-up activities. Whereas the rest of the group solely focus on clinical manufacturing. Comprising six dedicated individuals, including manufacturing scientists and principal scientists, the process development team boasts a diverse range of expertise spanning from nasal and pulmonary delivery systems to solid oral dosage manufacture. Together, we collaborate tirelessly to streamline processes, optimise efficiencies, and drive innovation. This team also scales up spray-dried powders from 10 grams to 10 kilograms and transitions solid oral dosage projects to more efficient processes capable of producing up to 1,000,000 tablets/capsules per batch. Another area where we play a significant role is introducing new equipment, such as the recent installation of our Gerteis Mini-Pactor® roller compactor, and the introduction of small-scale blister packaging solutions.
Furthermore, our team is at the forefront of introducing approaches like Design of Experiments (DoE) and implementing a Quality by Design (QbD) framework in drug product development. By leveraging statistical software to generate design spaces for various manufacturing processes, we enhance late-stage submissions and streamline the drug product registration process. This approach not only enhances our understanding of the drug product but also enables us to achieve consistent output and variability control, ultimately benefiting our clients by ensuring a more robust and reliable manufacturing process.
What is it like to work at Upperton?
Working for Upperton is truly a unique and rewarding experience. At the heart of our company culture are the people who make a difference every day. Despite our growth to nearly 100 employees over the past year, Upperton has maintained its close-knit family atmosphere, where everyone feels part of the Upperton family. This sense of belonging fosters a collaborative environment where support is readily available, and everyone is eager to contribute to the success of every project.
One of the standout aspects of working at Upperton is the wealth of technical expertise that surrounds us. Our team members possess a remarkable ability to think outside the box and develop innovative solutions for any challenge that comes our way. Whether it’s tackling complex formulations or navigating regulatory requirements, we approach each project with confidence and determination.
What sets us apart is our commitment to providing our clients with more than just a delivered project. We offer them a comprehensive journey, from a deep scientific understanding to technical expertise and regulatory support. Our open dialogue and open-door policy ensures that our clients feel valued and included every step of the way. At Upperton, we pride ourselves on making our clients feel like part of the family, fostering strong relationships built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect.
What are you looking forward to this year?
This year, I am eagerly anticipating the launch of several exciting initiatives at Trent Gateway. First and foremost, I am looking forward to hitting the ground running with our technical and clinical batches, as we are well-prepared and equipped to commence manufacturing in our state-of-the-art cleanrooms. This transition marks a significant milestone for us, as we move from a single API facility to a multiple API facility, enabling us to broaden our capabilities.
I’m also excited about the introduction of sterile manufacturing, which presents a remarkable opportunity for growth and expansion.
Can you describe Upperton in a few words?
Agile. Very flexible. Science-led.
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