Validant Partners

Brian Burns is Chief Executive Officer and a Quality leader at Validant, based in the New England region. Brian brings deep executive experience in Quality and Regulatory strategy and improvement with a track record of comprehensive quality performance improvement.

Prior to joining Validant, he served as an Executive Vice President of Global Quality and Regulatory Affairs at Haemonetics Corporation and Fresenius Medical Care over the course of five years.  Brian led institutionalizing corporate quality systems for all operational areas and upgraded quality systems to support evolving business needs such as combination products while improving complaint handling, operational metrics, supplier quality, clinical quality, and global quality systems training.

Brian served as Executive Vice President of Global Quality, Medical Safety & Regulatory Affairs of Boston Scientific Corporation for seven years.  Brian was responsible for quality assurance for Boston Scientific’s businesses worldwide and served as company liaison to all compliance bodies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, European Union Competent Authorities, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan.

Previously, Brian held various Quality Assurance, Operational, and General Manager roles with Cardinal Healthcare, Allegiance Healthcare, and Baxter Healthcare. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering with a Minor in Mathematics and Chemistry from the University of Arkansas.

Mohsen Eghbal is a Managing Partner with Validant, based in the EMEA region. Mohsen has over 30 years of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical experience; some of the most recent projects he managed included assessment and preparation of client’s sites for FDA inspection in Europe and India.

These projects’ scope included preparation of response to FDA  483/warning letter, preparation of manufacturing sites, reengineering of the quality management systems, and comprehensive site readiness for  FDA inspection. These projects required detailed evaluation of the QA and manufacturing activities, full re-engineering of the Quality and Compliance processes, preparation of SOPs, and implementation of critical elements of the quality management system. Mohsen was also responsible for evaluating and validating the manufacturing processes; including protein extraction, freeze-drying, etc. The most recent project that he managed was in a β-Lactam antibiotics manufacturing site. He has managed the qualification of equipment, computerized systems, facilities, and utilities. Additionally, he supported the BLA preparation and reviewed the final packages before submission to the US FDA. Mohsen has been the lead host of the FDA inspection of his client’s sites, and he successfully passed the inspections and subsequently attained approval and launch of a new product into the US market.

Mohsen has a wealth of experience in Data integrity assessment. He had analyzed and reviewed manufacturing batch records and Quality Control data for consistency and accuracy to support data integrity challenges by FDA and MHRA. He has reviewed product development packages, including clinical batch records, for completeness and data accuracy before submitting to the FDA.

Mohsen has developed and implemented sustainable quality and compliance management systems in several international companies. He has a  proven track record of remediating critical manufacturing challenges and preparing sites for recertification by regulatory authorities (FDA). He is also fully conversant with the development and utilization of risk management tools. He has been managed remediation processes for several FDA  Consent Decrees.

Mohsen has in-depth experience in design, qualification, operation, and maintenance of bulk biotech manufacturing equipment, processes and utility systems, and associated quality systems for non-conformances, change controls, and corrective and preventive actions, etc.

Before consulting, Mohsen has worked as the Head of Global Quality Assurance at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in Germany. He has also held the position of VP of Corporate QA and Compliance at Serono Pharmaceuticals in Switzerland (subsequently Merck KGaA), and VP of Corporate QA and  Compliance at Elan Pharmaceuticals in Ireland. During the late 80s and throughout the 90s, he held positions of increased responsibilities at Alza  Pharmaceuticals, Fisons Pharmaceuticals, Glaxo Inc., and Burroughs Wellcome.

Managing Partner Robert (Bob) Rhoades focuses on helping companies navigate the regulatory landscape while keeping pace with their corporate direction and strategy. He is based in Atlanta.

A skilled practitioner of both Quality System Regulation and pharmaceutical cGMPs for nearly four decades, Bob has designed and implemented compliance improvement initiatives for major manufacturers around the world. Known for his talent in guiding clients through crisis events, his history of post-enforcement action guidance speaks for itself as a strong record of re-establishing credibility with the FDA.

Bob previously led the Quality and Compliance consulting practice for Quintiles and served in consulting leadership roles at Becker & Associates and Impact Management Services. He’s also served in key executive positions at Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Bausch & Lomb, and Baxter Healthcare. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology from Purdue University and a Masters of Business Administration in Operations and Strategy from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He serves on the board of the Food and Drug Law Institute and authored the book “Risky Business: Managing the Quality of America’s Medicines,” now in its second edition.

Stephanie serves as Senior Partner at Validant. With over 30 years of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry experience, Stephanie brings Quality, Regulatory, and Aseptic Manufacturing Operations expertise to her role.

She most recently worked at Promega Corporation, the largest privately held biotechnology company in the world. There, she served as the lead cGMP technical program manager specializing in capital equipment and design control projects. She was also Promega’s internal resource for Lean/Six Sigma initiatives.  Stephanie led the fabrication and installation program for two fully cGMP compliant RABS fill/finish manufacturing lines.  One was a bottle/vial fill/finishing line, while the other was a cartridge fill/finish line.  She also led a new product introduction program for Promega’s first cGMP compliant DNA purification system.  The Maxwell® system is comprised of a software-controlled instrument, disposables, and reagents working together to provide reliable and rapid DNA purification from patient fluid or tissue samples.

Before joining Validant, Stephanie worked in new product introduction, project management, process and product validation, and quality for Baxter Healthcare for more than 20 years.  There she had leadership responsibility for two of Baxter’s Top Five projects.  One was a multi-million dollar barrier isolator installation that manufactured a lyophilized plasma-based hemophilia product.  The second was a $40 million barrier isolator pre-filled syringe platform utilizing in-line e-beam sterilization technology.  Previously, Stephanie led several critical cleanroom installations and qualifications at various Baxter sites.  She has led manufacturing expansions and Greenfield projects.  Stephanie is an expert in aseptic parenteral solution manufacturing, specifically in the areas of formulation, fill and finishing operations.

Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Science Health Care Management from Southern Illinois University and an MBA from Delta State University.

Tony joined Validant as a Partner based in the United Kingdom after more than 16 years in a senior leadership position with NDA Group, a highly regarded European regulatory affairs consultancy. At NDA, he established and built up the UK and German consulting teams and was especially successful in recruiting key experts into NDA Group.

Tony initially qualified as a Pharmacist after obtaining a bachelor’s degree from London University. His early career was in Pharma R&D with Pfizer and Eli-Lilly, but he then transitioned into Regulatory Affairs in the mid-1980s, working in progressively more senior positions in mid-size French, Italian and British companies until 2003.

He has accumulated over 35 years of experience in drug development and regulatory affairs. He has substantial experience with all EU regulatory procedures and has covered a broad range of therapeutic areas and product types. He is accustomed to understanding the needs of regulatory authorities, negotiating and building positive working relationships with them.

Throughout his career, he has gained significant experience in efficient evaluation of technical/regulatory dossiers with respect to new product opportunities.

Tony is an experienced Quality and IT consultant with over 35 years of experience spent in the Life Science industry. He is a Partner with Validant, based in the EMEA region, and supports clients across electronic Data Integrity, IT Lab Systems, IT Enterprise Applications & CSV Programs.

Initially employed as an Analytical Chemist at Syntex (now Roche), Tony migrated to the world of IT during the implementation of a global LIMS,  Chromatography and Laboratory robotics projects and onto global applications such as SAP.  He is a Certified LIMS and SAP consultant and he has presented many  papers on IT Systems Validation and 21 CFR part 11.

Prior to consulting, Tony was VP of IT Global Applications & Project Mgt at Elan Pharmaceuticals, where he headed the Global SAP /LIMS program across 14  sites. While at Elan he lead the corporate 21 CFR Part 11/Data Integrity assessment and remediation program.

As an IT Compliance and CSV consultant Tony has worked with many of Pharma, BioPharma, and Medical Device companies including Pfizer, Forest Labs (now Allergan), Schering Plough, Merck KGaA, Abbott Diagnostics,  Serono, Centrient, Advanced Medical Systems, United Drug, Takeda, and Amryt.

More recently, Tony was the Executive Director of IT Global Operations at Alexion and lead an electronic Data Integrity program for Alexion across five sites (US and Europe) from initial assessments to their subsequent remediation. Prior to this, he was CIO & Head of IT for Novartis GBS  (Global Business Services) in Dublin.

Tony brings a wealth of experience across business process compliance, electronic Laboratory and Quality System operations, Supply Chain and Distribution processes,  product Serialization and IT Quality Systems, Risk-Based Computer systems validation, and Data Integrity.

Tony is an integral part of the Good Automated Practices GAMP forum Ireland and has helped many international companies assess their electronic Quality Systems and subsequently devise and implement a Laboratory and Quality Systems IT strategy & compliance remediation program.

At Validant, Tony has been involved as a CSV and Data Integrity Assessment and remediation lead consultant and Due Diligences for M&A targets.

Kurt E. Moerck, Ph.D. is a GMP Quality and Compliance professional with over 39 years´ experience within the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Healthcare Industry, including over 30 years’ global experience at 3 of the largest worldwide pharmaceutical companies:  SmithKline Beecham, Sanofi-Aventis, and Sandoz/Novartis, as well as  Alcon Labs. Kurt is a Partner with Validant, based in the EMEA region.

Kurt’s leadership responsibilities have included establishing and directing effective Audit and Compliance programs at SmithKline Beecham, Sanofi-Aventis, and Sandoz/Novartis. These responsibilities involved all sites in the USA, Europe, LATAM & Asia. Kurt also has extensive experience in the Quality and Compliance aspects of R&D operations, including Clinical Trials materials, having been responsible for R&D Quality at Rhone Poulenc Rorer/Aventis.  Responsibilities have also included Global Senior Advisor and  Consultant for Quality & Compliance for Sandoz/Novartis, Sanofi-Aventis, and SmithKline Beecham. Having been involved in almost 100 inspections over the last 7 years, Kurt gained a positive reputation with the Food and Drug Agency.

Kurt has vast experience in most dosage forms, including all forms of Drug Product, Drug Substance, Biologicals/Biotech, Vaccines, Medical Devices, Combination Products, OTC Products, Fractionated Plasma Products, and Radiopharmaceuticals from both the quality and manufacturing perspective.

As Associate V.P. Global Audit and Compliance, Sanofi-Aventis and Executive Director QA, directed the Quality aspects of two Consent Decrees, allowing for the lifting of shipping and production restrictions. Kurt has also been actively involved with resolving multiple Warning Letter issues

Kurt earned a B.S. from Florida Southern College and his M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees from North Carolina State University. In addition, Kurt is fluent in English and German, both spoken and written.

With over  25 years of experience,  Jan has a  comprehensive background in Quality, Regulatory Compliance, Design, Operations, and Project  Management in Medical Devices, In Vitro Diagnostics, and Combination Products with some of the largest and most respected companies, as well as small/mid-sized start-ups.

Most recently, Jan served as the project team lead for multiple clients at Validant. While consulting, Jan’s responsibilities included leading Quality Management System integrations for multiple product/company acquisitions and divestitures, tech transfers and plant closures, preparation for Notified Body audits and agency inspections and leading backroom activities during audits/inspections, quality system harmonization and remediation, Risk Management remediation, project management for New Product Introductions, rebranding & labeling associated with changes in the EU Authorized Rep and Notified Bodies, implementation of ISO 14971:2012, ISO 13485:2016, and the Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP), as well as planning for the European Union Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR).  Jan has led multiple Quality System area improvements, including CAPA, Design Control, Risk Management, Supplier Management, Documentation Control, and Post-Market Surveillance.

Previously, Jan held various roles within Beckman Coulter including Q.A., Q.C., Quality Systems and Compliance, Manufacturing Engineering, Corporate Auditing, Packaging & Cold Chain Process Development, Supplier Management, OEM/CMO Process Development, Logistics (Warehousing & Transportation) Quality Systems, and Validation Process Development, Due Diligence Team, Process Integration Team Lead, Compliance Remediation Team, Value Engineering, and Management Representative. Jan received her Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and her Masters of Business Administration from the California State University, Fullerton. She is a Licensed Mechanical Engineer in the state of California, a Six Sigma Black Belt, an RABSQA Lead Auditor, has an ASQ Certification in Quality Engineering, and a Kempner-Trego certificate in Project Management.