Bruce Girton

Issaquah, WA, USA   bgirton@earthlink.net

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June 4, 2009

Summary

Analytical chemist with 20 years experience in the biotechnology / pharmaceutical industry, including:

  • Quality control laboratory management in a highly virtualized biotechnology context.
  • Analytical method development, validation, and transfer.
  • Preparation and review of documents for US and EU regulatory submission.
  • Development, improvement, and implementation of laboratory systems.
  • Supervision of groups of analytical chemists.
  • Expertise in the application of a broad spectrum of laboratory techniques.
  • Development of in vitro enzymatic prodrug characterization protocols,   formulations for inhaled liquid dosage forms, and intellectual property.
  • Master's degree in physical chemistry.

Accomplishments

Pharmaceutical Development

  • Developed familiarity with the chemistry and molecular biology of platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents.  Guided the development and validation of new or improved methods for analyzing platinum-based synthetic intermediates, drug substance and drug product.
  • Supported process development, assisting with the resolution of technical problems and the establishment of process controls.
  • Reviewed existing specifications, stability protocols, analytical methods, method validations, and raw data pertaining to synthetic intermediates, drug substance and drug product.  
  • Identified and supported the resolution of analytical and quality control technical and regulatory compliance risks and issues.
  • Developed and sustained effective working relationships with employees of diverse contract manufacturing and contract research organizations.  
  • Supported the adjudication of storage or shipping related temperature excursions.
  • Managed a stability program, including detailed data review, evaluation and reporting.
  • Assisted with the preparation of regulatory submissions, including IND annual updates and EU Investigational Medicinal Product Dossiers.
  • Supported the resolution of several laboratory OOS investigations and product failure investigations, including:
    • Led a project to identify a problematic process impurity at the 0.01% level, and to develop and validate analytical methods to control it.
    • Led a project to successfully resolve an apparent OOT/OOS situation by re-optimizing the analytical method to be more reproducible and by improving the method of interpreting the data so as to more accurately represent the true characteristics of the drug product.
  • Performed or supervised the development, improvement. validation, and inter-laboratory transfer of analytical methods for diverse active pharmaceutical ingredients and dosage forms. Introduced novel analytical technologies and developed improved laboratory practices.
  • Wrote and reviewed numerous technical documents, including NDA CMC reports, responses to FDA questions, analytical method validation protocols and reports, laboratory contracts and statements of work, and analytical methods.
  • Supervised groups of analytical chemists.
  • Performed analysis and physicochemical characterization of oral, transdermal, inhaled, and parenteral dosage forms, process intermediates, and active pharmaceutical ingredients, for release, stability, process development, and identified process impurities, contaminants and polymorphs, using a wide variety of modern analytical techniques, including ion trap and time of flight HPLC-MS.

Pharmaceutical Discovery

  • Developed in vitro enzymatic prodrug characterization protocols. 
  • Named as a co-inventor in international patent application WO 2006/138212. 
  • Developed formulations for inhaled liquid dosage forms.
  • Co-authored an invention disclosure for a novel drug delivery technology platform.
  • Implemented an advanced NCE sample inventory control program.

Pharmaceutical Quality Laboratory Systems

  • Developed and implemented computerized systems leading to improved efficiency in analytical data reduction, reporting, and document management.
  • Installed, validated, and administered computerized laboratory data systems.
  • Developed and administered reference standard programs.
  • Participated in various multifunctional teams, including:

    • Laboratory systems development
    • PAI preparation
    • Computerized systems validation
    • Reference standards
    • LIMS validation and implementation
    • Project planning
    • Electronic document management

  • Supervised two chemists in a laboratory instrument calibration and maintenance group, supporting sixty analytical development and quality control chemists.
  • Reviewed and authored numerous laboratory standard operating procedures.
  • Participated in quality audits of contract laboratories and pre-approval inspections.

Employment History

Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc.                                    Seattle, WA  2007 – Present

       Quality Control Manager

Corus Pharma, Inc. / Gilead Sciences, Inc.                   Seattle, WA     2003 – 2007

       Senior Research Scientist

QLT, Inc.                                                Vancouver, BC, Canada     1999 – 2003

       Research Chemist III, Analytical Development, Scientific Affairs - 3 direct reports.

       Scientific Coordinator, Quality Control, Quality & Regulatory Affairs - 3 direct reports.   

       Consultant, Quality Control & Analytical Development

Cell Therapeutics, Inc.                                             Seattle, WA     1996 – 1999

       Systems Coordinator, Analytical Development, Manufacturing Operations

       Research Chemist, Analytical Development, Manufacturing Operations

Par Pharmaceutical, Inc.                                   Spring Valley, NY     1993 – 1996

       Instrument Group Supervisor, Quality Control - 2 direct reports.

       Group Leader, Analytical Research & Development - up to 6 direct reports.

Novartis, Inc.                                                          Suffern, NY     1989 – 1999

       Scientist I, Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Drug Development

       Associate Scientist II, Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Drug Development

       Associate Scientist I, Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Drug Development

 

Education

 

M.S. Physical Chemistry

     North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

     Thesis title: "The Structure and Photochemistry of 9-Hydroxyphenalenethione"

B.S. Chemistry

     State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY