Nick DeMinico
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I am driven by a passion for collaborative projects that deliver positive outcomes and potentially impact lives in the biopharmaceutical industry. I thrive in environments that foster continuous learning and development, allowing me to hone my skills across diverse processes, cultures, and technical areas. I find fulfillment in mentoring associates and sharing knowledge to empower and build confidence within teams. Witnessing improvements and positive change as a result of my contributions brings me great satisfaction.
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With over 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, I possess a well-rounded skillset encompassing both technical and compliance expertise. My career began in a technical role across all production areas of monoclonal antibody manufacturing. This role instilled a strong foundation in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) principles, which I applied to support the successful commercialization of three clinical products. I have extensive experience in establishing processes and systems for reactor operations ranging from 5K to 20K scale during several site start-ups. Furthermore, I have a proven track record of facilitating successful technical transfers to offsite locations, including key Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs).
Leveraging my technical knowledge, I transitioned into a Senior Process Technician role, actively participating in complex equipment validations and developing procedures to support clinical and commercial GMP operations. I played a pivotal role in drafting and executing protocols for conducting commercial process validations and supporting characterization studies for BLA (Biologics License Application) submissions.
After a successful 8-year tenure in production and validation, I shifted my focus to manufacturing compliance. As a liaison between manufacturing and quality, I supported diverse cell culture processes, including the first-of-its-kind "perfusion" reactor at 5K scale. My contributions were instrumental in ensuring the successful technical transfer of lifesaving monoclonal antibodies and proteins, documented according to GMP standards and reviewed by global regulators. Notably, I served as the Lead Compliance for a major vaccine launch, overseeing seamless technical transfers between manufacturing facilities.
Capitalizing on my expertise, I transitioned into Global Compliance and Quality Project roles for various industry leaders. My responsibilities shifted to conducting audits and assessments, while also contributing to the development of company standards and quality management procedures, including guidances and work instructions. I frequently provided support for pre-approval inspections, remediation of quality systems, and key inspections. In this role, I functioned as a "coach" and document reviewer, ensuring clear and concise presentations for inspectors. Additionally, I pioneered the creation of "storyboards" to facilitate understanding by site subject matter experts during inspections and interactions with regulators.
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Auditing: I possess a proven ability to lead preparation and conduct audits across various pharmaceutical sectors, including medical devices, combination products
Inspection Readiness: I have a proven ability to lead preparation and inspection readiness efforts across various pharmaceutical sectors regulatory jurisdictions (FDA, ANVISA, UK, EU), including medical devices, combination products, pharmaceuticals (non-sterile, biologicals, cell gene therapy), and over-the counter (OTC) products, food and feed, nutraceuticals, and cosmetic manufacturing.
Sterile Processing: I offer expertise in all aspects of sterile processing, including execution, shop floor quality practices, and coaching for personnel.
SOP/Protocol Development: I have a strong track record of developing clear, concise, and effective Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols.
GMP Training & Presentations: I am a skilled facilitator, adept at delivering engaging and informative GMP training sessions and presentations.
GMP Facilities SME: I am a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in GMP compliance and quality for facilities, providing valuable guidance and support.
OTC & Medical Device Expertise: I possess a strong understanding of OTC (Over-The-Counter) regulations and relevant experience with previous medical device certifications.
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Major Pharmaceutical Site Compliance Lead: During my tenure as Compliance Lead for a major pharmaceutical site, I spearheaded successful outcomes in several key areas. I led the site through multiple regulatory inspections, implemented quality system improvements to streamline product changeovers and cleaning procedures, and optimized raw material sourcing strategies. These initiatives resulted in significant cost savings, increased compliance, and enhanced operational efficiencies. Additionally, I established a sustainable SAP module and supporting procedures.
Quality Lead for Facility Start-ups and Transfers: I played a key leadership role in quality for various facility start-ups and transfers, including:
The transfer of three monoclonal products from one company to another, with a successful scale-up from 1K to 20K bioreactor processes.
Reviewing equipment commissioning documentation, encompassing risk assessments and Factory Acceptance Test/Site Acceptance Test (FAT/SAT) outputs.
Global Compliance Partner for Vaccine Manufacturer: I served as a global compliance partner for a major vaccine manufacturer. In this role, I was responsible for approving compliance standard implementation and pre-approval inspections.
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English