Pharmaceuticals
10 pharmaceutical quality assurance experts
These ten professionals have led quality assurance and quality systems work at pharmaceutical companies, with titles from director of quality assurance to vice president of quality. A reader can learn how pharmaceutical quality leaders build and improve GMP quality systems.
Professionals to explore
01—10Anuja Patel
LinkedInExperience: Director GMP Quality Assurance · BioNTech SE
Former Director GMP Quality Assurance at BioNTech SE (2021–2023), and Sr. Director, Global Product Quality at BioNTech SE since 2023. The profile describes GMP QA work through CMO management, QA presence and participation in CMC operations, and overseeing end-to-end product quality, and lists Sr. Manager Quality Assurance, External QA at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (2018–2019).
Christine Cuellar
LinkedInExperience: Director Quality Assurance · Mirati Therapeutics
Former Director Quality Assurance (2015–2024) and Senior Director Quality Assurance (2019–2024) at Mirati Therapeutics, and Executive Director Head of Quality Assurance at ARS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. since 2025. The profile also lists Senior Director QA at Bristol Myers Squibb (2024–2025) and cites experience implementing quality systems, improving site compliance and overseeing vendor management programs.
Jill Cavanagh
LinkedInExperience: Director Global Quality Lead, GMP Auditing and Compliance · UCB
Director Global Quality Lead, GMP Auditing and Compliance at UCB since 2022. The profile also lists Associate Director, Quality at Kite Pharma (2017–2021) and Director Of Quality at Gradalis (2016–2017), and describes experience in the development and implementation of strategic and operational Quality Assurance methodology and organizational planning.
Karen Rickrode
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Global Quality Operations · Astellas Pharma
Vice President, Global Quality Operations at Astellas Pharma since 2018, and Executive Director, Head of QA Americas (TQA) at Astellas Pharma (2013–2018). The profile describes responsibility for the overall leadership and strategic development of the global function for Quality Operations, including Affiliate QA globally, and lists Director QA QC at Astellas Pharma Manufacturing, Inc. (1998–2009).
LeeAnn Shirley
LinkedInExperience: Director of Quality Systems · Ultragenyx
Former Director of Quality Systems at Ultragenyx (2023–2026), and Sr. Director Quality Systems at Ultragenyx since 2026. For the director role, the profile describes serving as Business System Owner of the Quality Management System (Veeva QMS), leading the Quality System team, and leading the implementation, monitoring and improvement of a compliant Quality System.
Patricia Moreno Puente
LinkedInExperience: Corporate Quality Assurance Director · Tradichem Group
Corporate Quality Assurance Director at Tradichem Group since 2025, and Quality Assurance Manager at Tradichem Group (2017–2025). The profile describes acting as liaison between the quality, regulatory, production and logistics departments to ensure full regulatory compliance, and managing and defending inspections by health authorities and audits according to GMP and GDP.
Rama Chitirala
LinkedInExperience: Vice President of Quality Assurance · Genus Lifesciences Inc.
Vice President of Quality Assurance at Genus Lifesciences Inc. since 2022, and Director Of Quality Assurance at Genus Lifesciences Inc. (2020–2022). The profile also lists Head Of Quality Assurance at SUN PHARMA (2011–2017) and Director Of Quality Assurance & Compliance at ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2017–2019), and describes leadership experience in quality, manufacturing and technical operations.
Tapan Panda
LinkedInExperience: Head-Quality System and Compliance · Bharat Biotech
Head-Quality System and Compliance at Bharat Biotech since 2025, with a profile that describes a focus on cGMP and quality assurance and on adherence to global regulatory standards, including ICH/cGLP, US FDA and EU GMP guidelines. The profile also lists Senior Manager Quality Assurance (2022–2023) and Manager Quality Assurance (2019–2022) at Biocon Biologics.
Thanh Liem Vu
LinkedInExperience: QA Director QP · Debiopharm
QA Director QP at Debiopharm since 2012, and Associate Director & Qualified Person at Debiopharm (2010–2012). The profile describes serving as QA Director of Debiopharm Research & Manufacturing, as a member of the executive board of directors and as Qualified Person for Debiopharm Group, and lists QA Manager Technical Qualified Person at CSL Vifor (2007–2008).
Vipul Nayani, MBA
LinkedInExperience: Director, Commercial Quality US · Teva Pharmaceuticals
Former Director, Commercial Quality US (2025–2026) and Associate Director, Quality Management Systems (2022–2025) at Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Director, Global Clinical Supplies Compliance at Merck since 2026. The profile describes the Teva director role as Quality Business Partner to the Commercial US Teams and coordinator for critical quality incidents that impact drug supply continuity.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scope to your question, since running quality at one manufacturing site, overseeing contract manufacturers and leading a global quality organization involve different problems. Also consider the stage of your products, because clinical-stage development quality differs from commercial quality operations.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide what belongs in the quality system first when a company moves from clinical to commercial supply?
- 02How do you keep deviations and CAPAs from piling up, and which metrics do you watch?
- 03How do you oversee contract manufacturers so their quality problems do not become yours?
Reaching pharmaceutical quality assurance experts
How can I contact one of these pharmaceutical quality assurance experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including BioNTech SE, Mirati Therapeutics and UCB, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach pharmaceutical quality assurance experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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