Sterile manufacturing business Symbiosis Pharmaceutical Services has appointed Joanne Anderson as its new business development director to help drive its commercial growth.

The Stirling-based company has promoted Mrs Anderson to the role following three successful years with the pharmaceutical contract manufacturing organisation and will join the management team.

Reporting to the CEO, her responsibilities will include the strategic and operational management of all sales and marketing activities for Symbiosis globally.

A qualified analytical chemist with an MBA, Mrs Anderson has worked in the biopharmaceutical outsourcing sector for almost 15 years and has spent the last eight years specialising in the field of sterile injectable products for clinical trials and low volume commercial supply.

Colin MacKay, CEO at Symbiosis Pharmaceutical Services, said: “Joanne has made an increasingly valuable contribution to the commercial team over the last few years in terms of generating market awareness of the world-class services offered by Symbiosis and her highly professional approach to successfully achieving significant year-on-year sales revenue growth.

“As we look to further expand the business, it’s essential for us to have a management team comprising knowledgeable, high-performing and well-respected industry professionals in key senior roles. Our decision to appoint Joanne as our business development director aligns perfectly with that.”

Symbiosis recently announced plans to expand its sterile filling facility following increased demand for its small-scale sterile manufacturing services and to ensure continued compliance with the latest interpretation of the guidelines by the MHRA.

Mrs Anderson said: “We are at a very important stage of the company’s development so I am delighted and honoured to have been promoted into this new role to drive the commercial development of the company and take Symbiosis to the next level.

“Recent investments into our facility enable us to aseptically manufacture and provide lyophilization services at both the clinical stage and for clients with niche licensed products.

“My job is to ensure potential and existing clients know that we are not only a safe pair of hands from a technical and quality perspective, but that we are time focussed in our approach to the cGMP manufacture of drug products to ensure tight timelines are met.

“It’s also important that our customers understand that our strength comes from our focus on exceeding client expectations and delivering a world-class service," added Mrs Anderson.

Symbiosis specialises in the sterile fill/finish of biologic and small molecule products into vials for pharmaceutical and biotechnology drug development companies.