Supply Chain Wizard for Pharma

Evren Ozkaya, Ph.D.
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Empowering Pharma Industry Leaders for Digital Excellence! Supply Chain Wizard for Pharma guides manufacturing and supply chain professionals to become a Wizard of Change in the era of digital transformation. Join our host Evren Ozkaya, Ph.D, as he welcomes thought leaders and industry experts from operations, commercial and technology domains around the world on the latest trends, case studies, best practices and insights in the pharmaceutical and life science industries.

  1. JAN 27

    Dose #23: Scaling Biologics CDMOs, Capacity, and Digitalization with Kevin Sharp (Samsung Biologics)

    In this episode of SCW for Pharma, Evren Ozkaya welcomes Kevin Sharp, Executive Vice President and Head of Sales and Operations at Samsung Biologics. Kevin shares his more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, spanning procurement, manufacturing, supply chain, and business development roles across companies such as GSK, Contract Pharmacal Corp, and Samsung Biologics. With the last decade focused on biologics, he offers a broad and practical perspective on how the industry has evolved. The conversation begins with an overview of Samsung Biologics and its position in the CDMO market. Founded in 2011, Samsung Biologics has rapidly become a leader in biologics manufacturing capacity, leveraging Samsung’s deep engineering expertise and manufacturing DNA. Kevin explains how the company’s end-to-end CDMO model addresses one of the biggest pain points for biopharma companies: the cost, risk, and time associated with tech transfers across multiple suppliers. Evren and Kevin then dive into the unique complexity of biologics supply chains. Kevin highlights how longer planning horizons, strict quality requirements, and capacity slot management make timing and end-to-end coordination critical. As molecules become more complex and new drug modalities emerge, even small disruptions in sequencing or release timing can have significant consequences for quality and supply reliability. The discussion expands to broader biopharma trends, including the growing share of combination therapies and novel modalities. Kevin notes that a significant portion of products expected to be approved in the coming years will fall outside traditional standards, putting pressure on CDMOs to invest in modern facilities, scalable platforms, and standardized yet flexible production processes. He emphasizes that while there is room in the market for CDMOs of all sizes, larger players differentiate themselves through integrated, one-stop-shop capabilities and scalable capacity. Digitalization is another key theme of the episode. Kevin explains how Samsung Biologics applies its technology-driven heritage to biologics manufacturing, drawing parallels between semiconductor production and biopharma in terms of precision and environmental control. He discusses the use of MES, supply chain visibility tools, AI, and digital twins, and how real-time data transparency creates value for clients while improving consistency and operational performance. Finally, Evren and Kevin explore why digital transformation remains slow across much of the pharma CDMO landscape. Kevin points to investment requirements, long implementation timelines, sunk costs, and concerns about technology obsolescence as major barriers. He also shares advice for younger professionals in the industry, encouraging early exposure to different functions and the importance of building strong, long-term relationships. They conclude by reflecting on how capacity, technology, and adaptability will continue to shape the future of biologics manufacturing, and why companies that commit early to scalable platforms and digital foundations are likely to widen the gap in the years ahead.

    52 min

  2. JAN 8

    Dose #22: Reducing Downtime and Unlocking Hidden Capacity in Pharma Manufacturing with Andrea Wagner (PharmaPhixx)

    In this episode of SCW for Pharma, Evren Ozkaya welcomes Andrea Wagner, CEO of PharmaPhixx. The conversation begins with Andrea’s professional background, spanning academia and industry. She holds a doctorate in toxicology and a master’s degree in analytical chemistry and spent the early part of her career in universities before transitioning into the pharmaceutical industry. Andrea later co-founded a CDMO, built a manufacturing operation from the ground up, and successfully exited the business (Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing). In 2023, she founded PharmaPhixx, a company focused on helping CMOs and CDMOs reduce the negative impact of production downtime by partnering with pharma manufacturers, OEMs, and engineering organizations. Andrea also highlights her commitment to mentoring women in engineering and pharma, noting that the “xx” in PharmaPhixx represents women. Building a CDMO & Market Dynamics Evren and Andrea discuss the high barriers to entry in the CDMO sector, noting it took 18 months post-construction to secure a first client—a testament to the industry's long operational timelines. Regarding domestic capacity shifts in the U.S., Andrea argues that "overcapacity" is relative; while some segments are saturated, others remain constrained. She emphasizes that true capacity isn’t just about floor space—it requires years of regulatory approval and trust-building. The conversation highlights a major industry pain point: average equipment utilization (OEE) is only around 35%. Andrea explains how PharmaPhixx uses automation, robotics, and AI to minimize downtime and handle repetitive tasks, freeing engineers for higher-value work. Despite the industry’s slow digital adoption, she predicts a total transformation of pharma factories within the next decade, driven by the need for better data to improve P&L performance. Andrea identifies "operational firefighting" and financial constraints as the primary hurdles to modernization. She suggests that instead of relying on external advisors, senior management should empower internal operations teams—who understand the bottlenecks best—with the time and resources to innovate. The shift from paper-based systems to digital batch records is cited as the essential first step for AI applications like automated quality inspection. Andrea expects the FDA and EMA to accelerate the push for paperless systems as a younger, tech-savvy workforce takes over. The episode concludes with advice for young professionals and women in pharma. Andrea encourages them to build strong support networks and seek mentorship, reaffirming her commitment to developing the next generation of industry leaders.

    46 min

  3. 12/05/2025

    Dose #21: Supply Chain Planning for Advanced Therapies and Overcoming Complexity with Tom Walls (Spark Therapeutics)

    In this episode of SCW for Pharma, host Evren Ozkaya welcomes Tom Walls, former Head of Supply Chain Planning at Spark Therapeutics, a Roche company. The conversation kicks off with Tom sharing his career evolution from small molecules to his current focus on advanced therapy medicinal products, expressing his optimism for the potential of cell and gene therapies to treat many previously untreatable rare diseases. Evren and Tom then explore the different types of advanced therapies, clarifying that some are highly personalized (batch for a single patient) while others follow a bulk production model, all targeting rare diseases but never reaching the scale of high-volume small molecule drugs. The discussion then delves into the unique complexities of the cell and gene therapy supply chain. Tom outlines several challenges, including highly variable yields, the need for skilled teams for stability studies, small batch sizes leading to production difficulties, and the hurdles of country-specific regulations. He underscores that the short 36- to 72-hour shelf life necessitates precise scheduling, and the high cost of manufacturing capacity makes idle time a financial challenge. Tom confirms that this inherent complexity is a primary factor contributing to the therapies' high price points, often reaching the million-dollar plus range. Evren and Tom shift their focus to what defines a strong planning organization in this specialized field. Tom explains that top performers are clear communicators who make confident, data-aware decisions and can quickly align teams during unexpected issues. He highlights that planning covers several areas, including analytical, regulatory, and clinical planning, with risk management being central. Tom notes that while AI-driven production scheduling can help manage complexity and yield variability that traditional ERPs miss, the technology landscape remains fragmented, lacking a single holistic platform that covers regulatory, supply chain, demand planning, production scheduling and production monitoring domains. The conversation continues by examining the need to link planning and execution systems on top of others to understand the impact of decisions, especially with yield variability. Bringing planning and execution closer together supports optimization and strengthens communication, since plan adjustments need to translate into clear actions for teams on the ground. Evren then asks about tariffs, trade tensions, and reshoring in the United States. Tom explains that many inputs, from plasma materials to tubing components, come from China. While the US is large, not everything can be reshored due to the specialized nature of these materials. Decisions must be made carefully. They close by examining the role of AI in cell and gene therapy. Tom highlights the importance of linking regulatory, supply chain, demand planning, and execution. He sees opportunities in digital twins and anomaly detection to help teams manage risk more effectively. In the final segment, Tom shares the advice he would give his younger self. He wishes he had worked at more production sites to better understand how different operations run and how planning decisions affect people in manufacturing. He also would have spent more time with finance and regulatory teams, since planning sits at the intersection of all these functions. He encourages future professionals to build skills across these domains to succeed in this field.

    44 min

  4. 10/20/2025

    Dose #20: Agility, AI, & the Modern Generic Supply Chain with Katja Lumbar Globocnik (Insud Pharma)

    In this episode of SCW for Pharma host Evren Ozkaya welcomes Katja Lumbar Globocnik, Head of U.S. Supply Chain at Exeltis and Xiromed, subsidiaries of Insud Pharma. Katja brings decades of experience across global pharmaceutical supply chains, from her early days in Europe with companies like Novartis and Sandoz to leading countless generic product launches at Teva in the United States. Evren and Katja open their discussion by comparing the dynamics of large versus small-to-mid-sized pharma companies. Katja explains how larger organizations, while rich in structure and learning opportunities, can be slowed by bureaucracy. In contrast, smaller companies operate with greater agility, allowing individuals to take broader ownership of decisions and execution. This leaner environment, she notes, cultivates problem solvers. The conversation then turns to digitalization and system maturity. Contrary to expectations, Katja argues that size doesn’t guarantee sophistication. Many large companies still rely on traditional operations, while smaller firms like Insud Pharma have adopted advanced technologies, including AI-driven analytics and automation. These tools, she explains, are transforming supply chains by accelerating decision-making, enabling real-time visibility, and automating repetitive tasks. Evren and Katja also examine the management of operational excellence in multi-site environments. Katja sees clear value in driving OpEx globally, while acknowledging the growing trend toward regionalization. Together, they emphasize the importance of balancing standardization with local flexibility—especially as cloud-based systems make real-time benchmarking and performance tracking across sites possible. When discussing product launches, Katja highlights the excitement and challenges of bringing generic medicines to market. Success, she says, depends on teamwork, scenario planning, and calm risk assessment—particularly in the U.S., where speed to market is critical. Finally, the discussion circles back to digital transformation at manufacturing sites. Katja identifies alignment, investment constraints, and resistance to transparency as common barriers. Still, she believes progress is inevitable, led by plant leaders who take a holistic view, embrace visibility, and see weaknesses as opportunities for improvement. Evren closes by asking Katja what advice she would give her younger self. Her answer is simple and powerful: “Be fearless. Learn as much as you can. Go for it until someone stops you.”

    32 min

  5. 09/12/2025

    Dose #19: The Role of Contract Packaging in Pharma’s Future with Dexter Tjoa (Tjoapack)

    In this episode of SCW for Pharma, host Evren Ozkaya welcomes Dexter Tjoa, CEO of Tjoapack, a global contract packaging organization with over three decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Dexter shares his journey into pharma, beginning as a supply chain consultant with a background in mathematics, and later transitioning into the packaging and supply chain domain. He also reflects on leading a family business founded in 1989 and its evolution into a global player with operations in both Europe and the United States. The conversation explores Tjoapack’s strategic expansion into the U.S. market, highlighting the drivers behind establishing a presence there and the broader implications of recent U.S. government policies and investments in domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. Dexter emphasizes that while reshoring production is a growing theme, pharma remains inherently global, and companies must maintain an international perspective to ensure resilience and efficiency. Evren and Dexter then examine the role of contract packaging and manufacturing organizations in today’s pharmaceutical supply chains. Dexter explains how CPOs and CDMOs allow pharma companies to leverage specialized expertise, often in areas that are difficult to replicate in-house. Some focus on niche production, such as targeted medicines or unique packaging solutions for oral solids—an area where Tjoapack has built strong capabilities. Beyond their specialization, CPOs and CDMOs can also drive cost efficiencies, particularly when they invest in automation, Pharma 4.0 technologies, and lean practices that reduce expenses, enhance quality, and ensure compliance in GMP-regulated environments. Dexter notes that the increasing complexity of the industry—fueled by smaller batch sizes and the rise of targeted therapies—is reshaping production dynamics and amplifying the need for flexible, high-skill partners. The discussion also addresses industry challenges, from labor shortages to the urgent need for flexible automation. Dexter highlights talent development as a top priority, sharing how Tjoapack redefined its training programs, improved transparency around career paths, and created a culture of meaningful work to attract and retain skilled employees. He stresses that automation alone is insufficient without investment in people, and that balancing both is critical for long-term success. On the digital transformation front, Dexter underscores the importance of paperless quality solutions, intelligent automation, and transparent data sharing across the pharma supply chain. He argues that shop floor automation can significantly reduce costs while improving quality. At the same time, integration and collaboration with partners through timely, transparent data exchange are essential for building resilient supply chains. In his view, digital transformation is no longer optional but essential for survival in an increasingly competitive CPO/CDMO market. The conversation concludes with reflections on leadership and personal advice. Dexter describes the evolving role of the CEO—from team-building and inspiration to digital leadership and execution—and offers guidance to younger generations entering pharma: embrace risk, stay open to learning, and move forward decisively even amid uncertainty.

    44 min

  6. 08/29/2025

    Dose #18: Tackling Pharma’s Talent Shortage with Justin Wood (Sequence Inc.)

    In this episode of SCW for Pharma, host Evren Ozkaya welcomes Justin Wood, Chief Services Officer at Sequence Inc. With nearly two decades of experience in life sciences, Justin brings a unique perspective on process design, manufacturing software consultancy, and the growing workforce challenges in the pharmaceutical industry. The conversation begins by exploring the talent shortage in pharma and manufacturing, a challenge that persists despite the rise of automation and AI technologies. Justin highlights that while advanced technologies are transforming the industry, skilled labor remains the most critical input for production. He cites research showing that 53% of companies struggle to find qualified talent—a problem expected to intensify in the near future. Evren and Justin then dive into the initiatives at Sequence’s training facility in North Carolina, which mirrors a pharmaceutical shop floor. This hands-on environment prepares workers for digital solutions, laboratory practices, and cross-functional roles that span operations, quality, planning, and advanced therapies. Justin explains that as the industry grows nearly 10% annually over the next five years and reshoring investments after tariffs, the need for continuous upskilling and future-ready talent is greater than ever. They discuss why universities alone cannot close the skills gap—emphasizing the importance of practical, real-world training and lifelong learning. Justin underscores that today’s workforce must not only master technical and digital tools but also embrace adaptability, problem-solving, and foundational professional skills such as communication and collaboration. The discussion also touches on: Why pharma’s digital transformation depends on people as much as technology. The role of compliance solutions like digital logbooks as practical entry points for digitalization. The growing demand for modular, data-driven tools that are faster and easier to implement than traditional MES systems. Strategies for attracting and retaining young talent, highlighting the purpose-driven nature of pharma as a powerful differentiator. Evren and Justin conclude with advice for the next generation of pharma professionals: say yes to opportunities, even when they seem daunting, as stepping outside the comfort zone is essential for growth and career development.

    46 min

  7. 08/15/2025

    Dose #17: Cash Flow, M&As, and Digital Transformation in Life Sciences with Steve Chakrabarty

    In this episode of SCW for Pharma, Evren Ozkaya welcomes Steve Chakrabarty, former Director of Global Business Process and Technology at BD, now a consultant and advisory board member for supply chain activities at Rutgers Business School. With over 15 years at BD in various leadership roles across operations, manufacturing, and digital transformation, Steve brings a wealth of experience to the discussion. The conversation begins with the often-overlooked cash flow dimension of life sciences supply chains. Steve explains that while many companies maintain a strong P&L focus—driving growth organically through innovation or via mergers and acquisitions—the balance sheet side, especially working capital, is frequently neglected. He stresses that collecting cash quickly, reducing inventory levels, and maintaining healthy internal processes are essential to sustaining operations and funding innovation. Comparing branded and generic pharma models, Steve notes that low margins in generics make holding excess inventory inefficient, while higher-margin branded products can justify larger inventory buffers. Steve cautions against relying solely on extending payables with suppliers to improve cash flow, calling it an unsustainable long-term strategy. Instead, he advocates benchmarking performance against peers and ensuring operational efficiency. Cash flow, he emphasizes, underpins critical decisions—whether to fund R&D, invest in digital transformation, or scale operations. Many digital transformation initiatives, he adds, can be self-funding, generating immediate cost savings or throughput gains, especially when deployed through cost-as-a-service models. The discussion then shifts to the intersection of M&A integration and digital transformation. While post-acquisition efforts often prioritize integration over modernization, Steve argues that both can progress in parallel with a smart approach. Harmonizing processes between entities, aligning with market needs, setting clear operational rules, and defining integration timelines are essential for ensuring business value and smooth change management. Evren and Steve conclude with career advice for young professionals: gain hands-on experience, seek diverse responsibilities, and develop a holistic view of the supply chain to connect the dots across functions.

    42 min

  8. 08/01/2025

    Dose #16: Future-Proofing Pharma: Balancing Demand, Cutting the Middleman and AI Readiness, with Karen Betancourt (Vanguard Medical Logistics)

    In this episode of SCW for Pharma, Evren Ozkaya welcomes Karen Betancourt, CEO of Vanguard Medical Logistics and a passionate advocate for supply chain innovation. Currently based in Panama, Karen shares her vision for leveraging technology and leadership to unlock future ready pharma supply chains. The conversation begins with Karen’s framework for successful supply chain digitalization. She emphasizes that technology alone doesn’t solve problems. It must be tied to clearly understood business needs. Selecting the right tech partner requires due diligence, realistic ROI estimation, and trust—especially for mission-critical industries like pharma. Karen explains the importance of distinguishing between type 1 (direct) and type 2 (indirect) savings, noting that public companies often undervalue solutions focused only on indirect savings or cost avoidance. Evren and Karen explore the unique supply chain demands of the pharmaceutical sector, especially radiopharmaceuticals and other time-sensitive treatments. Karen details the challenge of managing drugs with a four-hour shelf life and the need for precision, stakeholder coordination, and disruption-ready systems. Technology plays a key role here, enabling visibility and agility in life-critical logistics. They also examine why pharma is lagging in readiness for personalized medicine. According to Karen, traditional carriers and fragmented supply chains often lack the control and visibility required. Reducing intermediaries not only improves responsiveness but also enhances traceability, combats counterfeit drugs, and lowers cost barriers, crucial in the face of rising regulatory and margin pressures. Evren and Karen discuss the structural inefficiencies in pharma supply chains, such as demand misalignment, data silos, and poor communication between sales and operations. They highlight the strategic value of digital factories, alerts and AI-powered predicitions—but underscore that none of these can succeed without a reliable, real-time data foundation. The episode closes with career advice for the next generation of supply chain professionals. Karen encourages young talent to take on hard problems, stay vocal, and never stop learning.

    47 min
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About

Empowering Pharma Industry Leaders for Digital Excellence! Supply Chain Wizard for Pharma guides manufacturing and supply chain professionals to become a Wizard of Change in the era of digital transformation. Join our host Evren Ozkaya, Ph.D, as he welcomes thought leaders and industry experts from operations, commercial and technology domains around the world on the latest trends, case studies, best practices and insights in the pharmaceutical and life science industries.

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