Hosted by Thomas McMann, Making It In Manufacturing is ARTO's new in-person podcast series, spotlighting the leaders shaping the future of manufacturing and engineering.
Each episode dives into the careers, decisions, and defining moments of industry mainstays - revealing the stories and insights behind real-world impact within the manufacturing and engineering space.
If you're a leader in the space - or aspiring to be - this podcast is a must watch. The series is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major platforms.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted by Thomas McMann, Making It In Manufacturing is ARTO's new in-person podcast series, spotlighting the leaders shaping the future of manufacturing and engineering.
Each episode dives into the careers, decisions, and defining moments of industry mainstays - revealing the stories and insights behind real-world impact within the manufacturing and engineering space.
If you're a leader in the space - or aspiring to be - this podcast is a must watch. The series is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major platforms.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The CDMO everyone’s suddenly talking about, and the CEO taking it to the next level.
This week, in another episode of the Making It in Manufacturing Spotlight Series, hosted by Thomas McMann, we sit down with Dirk T. Lange, CEO at Pyramid Pharma Services. With 30 years of experience across drug-substance and drug-product CDMOs, global operations, outsourcing leadership, and life-science services, spanning Rentschler, KBI Biopharma, Novartis, Sandoz, and more, Dirk brings a rare dual-lens perspective from both the provider and sponsor side.
In this episode, Dirk covers:
- A full overview of Pyramid Pharma Services, a 37-year-old CDMO with an exceptionally broad drug-product offering from clinical to commercial supply.
- Key data behind Pyramid’s under-the-radar growth, including 15 successful FDA inspections, a strong legacy of quality, and decades of organic expansion driven by long-term customer partnerships.
- Why they’re doubling their fill–finish capabilities, including the strategic drivers, client demand, and the transition from clinical-scale to high-speed commercial lines.
- The operational realities of scaling, from maintaining culture to onboarding new teams, strengthening processes, and preserving execution excellence during rapid growth.
- How Pyramid positions itself as an enabler in the supply chain, supporting customers from early development through long-term commercial supply.
Be sure to check out this episode, a deep dive into what it really takes to scale a legacy CDMO while protecting quality, culture, and customer trust.
To listen to (or watch) the full episode, search "Making it in Manufacturing Pyramid Pharma" on your preferred streaming platform, or click on the first link in the comments below.
Follow ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kEcRZOiJChOoN1KF2n1ng
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arto.talent?igsh=MWdhbWl5N204a253NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artotalent?_t=ZG-8tHbGACAZaj&_r=1
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-beyond-the-lab/id1783115575
Website: https://arto-talent.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@life_sciences
Dirk T. Lange
CEO at Pyramid Pharma Services
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/langedirk/
Thomas McMann
Director - Contracts Division
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/
Timestamps:
00:11 Pyramid Overview
01:41 Key Data
03:46 Doubling Fill Finish Capabilities
05:38 Growth Challenges
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In this episode of the Making It in Manufacturing Spotlight Series, we sit down with Raj Puri, Chief Commercial Officer at Argonaut Manufacturing Services.
With over 12 months in the CCO role and extensive experience across the CDMO space, Raj brings insight from leading business development, project management, and commercial strategy across both life science/diagnostics and aseptic drug-product services.
In this episode, Raj covers:
- Why Argonaut chooses to support “N of 1” programmes, and the cultural impact of delivering life-saving therapies for single-patient treatments.
- The operational challenges of ultra-high-value API filling, and how Argonaut minimises line losses for rare-disease therapies.
- The company’s evolution, from diagnostics to becoming a major player in small- to mid-scale aseptic drug-product manufacturing.
- How Argonaut’s new $45M facility and commercial-scale filling line will transform output, enable prefilled syringes/cartridges, and support global demand.
- The realities of scaling a CDMO, including hiring, maintaining culture, preparing for FDA pre-approval inspection, and setting long-term strategy for future capabilities.
Be sure to check out this episode to hear Raj’s candid take on growth, culture, and the future of drug-product manufacturing.
Follow ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kEcRZOiJChOoN1KF2n1ng
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arto.talent?igsh=MWdhbWl5N204a253NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artotalent?_t=ZG-8tHbGACAZaj&_r=1
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-beyond-the-lab/id1783115575
Website: https://arto-talent.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@life_sciences
Raj Puri
CCO at Argonaut Manufacturing Services
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-puri-3137665/
Thomas McMann
Director - Contracts Division at ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/
Timestamps:
00:10 Stepping Into The Role & Early Lessons
04:03 Scaling Smart: Challenges and Capabilities
09:07 Culture, Talent & The Future
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The CDMO Changing the Game in Drug Delivery
This week, in another episode of the Making it in Manufacturing Spotlight Series, we sit down with Ankit Gupta, CEO of Instapill, a company redefining oral drug delivery through freeze-dried, fast-dissolving tablets.
With over 15 years of experience spanning investment banking, M&A, and leadership roles in pharmaceutical manufacturing, Ankit brings a sharp perspective on scaling, innovation, and sustainable differentiation.
In this episode, Ankit covers:
- Instapill’s unique FDA-approved non-gelatin ODT technology and why it’s transforming patient outcomes in paediatrics and geriatrics.
- Scaling up manufacturing capacity in India and future expansion plans into the US, and how automation will maintain quality at scale.
- How digital transformation and AI are shaping pharmaceutical manufacturing, from paperless R&D to data-driven precision in production.
- What makes a CDMO attractive to investors, and how sustainable differentiation trumps trend-driven momentum.
- Lessons from M&A and investment banking, and how they inform his approach as a CEO leading growth in a competitive CDMO landscape.
Be sure to check out this episode to hear how Instapill is not only innovating formulation, but reimagining the future of pharma manufacturing.
To listen to (or watch) the full episode, search "Making it in Manufacturing Instapill" on your preferred streaming platform. Or, click on the first link in the comments below.
Follow ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kEcRZOiJChOoN1KF2n1ng
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arto.talent?igsh=MWdhbWl5N204a253NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artotalent?_t=ZG-8tHbGACAZaj&_r=1
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-beyond-the-lab/id1783115575
Website: https://arto-talent.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@life_sciences
Ankit Gupta
CEO at Instapill
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reachankit/
Thomas McMann
Director - Contracts Division
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/
Timestamps:
00:11 Stand Out FDA Approval & Speed to Market
08:00 Global Growth and Operations
10:55 Insights & Leadership Takeaways
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What does it really take to build one of Europe’s fastest-growing drug-product CDMOs, and do it with scientific precision, culture-first leadership, and a B-Corp mindset?
This week, in another episode of the Making It in Manufacturing Spotlight Series, we sit down with Hanns-Christian Mahler, CEO & Founder of ten23.
With over 20 years of experience spanning senior roles at Merck, Roche, biopharma development, drug-product strategy, and CDMO leadership, Hanns-Christian brings a rare blend of scientific rigour, sustainability vision, and people-centric leadership.
In this episode, Hanns-Christian covers:
- The origin story of ten23 and why he left big pharma to challenge the CDMO status quo with ten23
- Why ten23 leads with partnership - not execution - and how “asking better questions” is their competitive edge ten23
- ten23’s rapid growth journey: new filling lines, site expansion, headcount growth, and strategic partnerships, like with BD
- The culture behind the company: transparency, autonomy, values-led leadership, and building a truly learning organisation at ten23
- The future of CDMOs: AI adoption with intention, sustainability as a scientific discipline, and what’s next for ten23’s global footprint
- Hanns-Christian also speaks about his partnerships with sustainability-focused companies such as Lio, led by CEO Vladimir Keil, highlighting how these collaborations help drive more responsible and efficient operations.
If you want a masterclass in modern CDMO leadership, rooted in science, innovation, and purpose, this is the episode to watch.
Follow ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kEcRZOiJChOoN1KF2n1ng
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arto.talent?igsh=MWdhbWl5N204a253NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artotalent?_t=ZG-8tHbGACAZaj&_r=1
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-beyond-the-lab/id1783115575
Website: https://arto-talent.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@life_sciences
Hanns-Christian Mahler
CEO at ten23
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanns-christian-mahler/
Thomas McMann
Director - Contracts Division at ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/
Timestamps:
00:00 Career Beginnings & ten23
08:18 Challenges with Scaling
14:29 Culture & Leadership Style
20:00 Scientific Rigour vs Sustainability
26:07 Challenges with Geopolitical Issues
29:13 The Future & AI
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If you're leading in pharma, biotech, or manufacturing, this is essential listening.
This week, we kick off Season 2 of Making It In Manufacturing with a heavyweight guest: J.D. Mowery, Division President, CDMO at Bora Pharmaceuticals. With more than 25 years of experience across the biopharmaceutical and CDMO sectors, J.D. brings a proven track record of building high-performing teams, scaling operations, and driving innovation at every stage of the drug development lifecycle. He has held impactful leadership roles at industry leaders such as Genentech, Lonza, and JSR Life Sciences, and most recently served as CEO of KBI Biopharma. His expertise spans operations, manufacturing, technology transfer, facility construction, and business development, with a global perspective shaped by work across North America, Europe, and Asia. J.D. is known for his hands-on leadership style, commitment to operational excellence, and passion for building strong, collaborative cultures.
In this episode, J.D. unpacks:
- Smart integration and scaling: Integration and scaling of sites post-acquisition
- Why quality is still the sharpest competitive edge
- What it means to partner with purpose in today’s pharma landscape
- Where CDMOs are headed next - and how AI is shaping that direction
If you're in a leadership role within pharma or biotech, this is the episode you’ll want your entire team to hear.
Follow ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kEcRZOiJChOoN1KF2n1ng
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arto.talent?igsh=MWdhbWl5N204a253NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artotalent?_t=ZG-8tHbGACAZaj&_r=1
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-beyond-the-lab/id1783115575
Website: https://arto-talent.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@life_sciences
J.D. Mowery
Division President - CDMO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdmowery/
Thomas McMann
Director - Contracts Division at ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/
Timestamps:
00:00 Filling Sites & Scaling Smartly
06:38 Quality as a Differentiator
13:30 Partnering with Purpose
17:19 The Future of CDMOs and AI
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In this episode, we’re joined by Abbas Hussain, an internationally recognised engineering leader and current Projects & Engineering Manager at EUROAPI.
In this episode, we cover a range of topics including Culture, CAPEX, Project Planning & Delays, Sustainability, AI, Quickfire Questions and a lot more. This conversation applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in the manufacturing and engineering space.
Follow ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent
Spotify: Leading Beyond The Lab
Instagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)
TikTok: artotalent on TikTok
Apple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The Lab
Website: Home
Youtube: ARTO Recruitment\
Abbas Hussain
Projects & Engineering Manager at EUROAPI.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbas-sayyed-028a7812/
Thomas McMann
Director - Contracts Division at ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/
Timestamps:
00:00 Career Beginnings
08:31 Culture Differences
16:58 CAPEX, Project Planning & Delays
30:42 Sustainability
36:54 AI & Rounding Up
#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #ManufacturingAndEngineering #ISPE #AI #OPEX #CDMOS #DataIntegrity #Auditing #CSV #CAPEX #Sustainability
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In this episode, we feature Michael Vrijs, a well-recognised expert in cleaning validation and biopharma manufacturing, known for turning complex compliance into practical strategy:
In this episode, we cover a range of topics including Michael’s Career Beginnings, Cleaning and Validation, Common Mistakes Businesses make, Auditor Handling, Advice for young Engineers, and a lot more. This conversation applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in the manufacturing and engineering space.
Follow ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent
Spotify: Leading Beyond The Lab
Instagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)
TikTok: artotalent on TikTok
Apple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The Lab
Website: Home
Youtube: ARTO Recruitment
Michael Vrijs
Manager Manufacturing Technology
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vrijs-84b97940/
Thomas McMann
Director - Contracts Division at ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/
Timestamps:
00:00 Career Beginnings
06:09 Cleaning / Validation
13:53 Common Mistakes / Auditor Handling
22:11 Advice for Engineers
#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #ManufacturingAndEngineering #ISPE #AI #OPEX #CDMOS #DataIntegrity #Auditing #CSV, CAPEX, Sustainability #Cleaning #Validation
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In this episode, we are joined by Carsten Jasper, a globally recognised leader specialising in pharmaceutical quality, regulatory compliance, and digital transformation within life sciences.
In this episode, we discuss a range of topics including CSV Validation, Risk Management, Data Integrity, AI, Auditing, Advice for Candidates and more. This conversation applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in the manufacturing and engineering space.
Follow ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent
Spotify: Leading Beyond The Lab
Instagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)
TikTok: artotalent on TikTok
Apple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The Lab
Website: Home
Youtube: ARTO Recruitment
Carsten Jasper
Senior Director, QRM and CQV (R&D)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsten-jasper-59189982/
Thomas McMann
Director - Contracts Division at ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/
Timestamps:
00:00 Career Beginnings
10:09 CSV Validation & Risk Management
15:13 Data Integrity & AI
23:53 Auditing
31:54 Rounding Up
#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #ManufacturingAndEngineering #ISPE #AI #OPEX #CDMOS #DataIntegrity #Auditing #CSV
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Making It In Manufacturing, we speak with Simon Adams, a seasoned advisor and founder of Adams Bio Consulting Ltd, about the evolving demands of leadership in the Life Sciences sector.
In this episode, we discuss a range of topics including aseptic compounding, CDMOs - when, where and why use them, OPEX , leadership, cross functional management and more. This conversation applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in the manufacturing and engineering space.
Follow ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent
Spotify: Leading Beyond The Lab
Instagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)
TikTok: artotalent on TikTok
Apple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The Lab
Website: Home
Youtube: ARTO Recruitment
Simon Adams
Founder and Principal at Adams Bio Consulting Ltd
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-adams-86005710/
Thomas McMann
Director - Contracts Division at ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/
Timestamps:
00:00 Career Beginnings
07:18 Aseptic Compounding
18:50 CDMOs
28:19 OPEX
45:44 Leadership & Management
#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #ManufacturingAndEngineering #ISPE #AI #OPEX #CDMOS
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In this episode, we feature Hazem Eleskandarani, P.E., PMP, a distinguished leader in pharmaceutical engineering and quality assurance:
In this episode, we discuss a range of topics including risk management, AI, project acceleration and its drawbacks, traits that make a great CQV engineer, common mistakes, cross functional management, as well as tips when it comes to inspectors visiting a new site. This conversation applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in the manufacturing and engineering space.
Follow ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent
Spotify: Leading Beyond The Lab
Instagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)
TikTok: artotalent on TikTok
Apple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The Lab
Website: Home
Youtube: ARTO Recruitment
Hazem Eleskandarani
Senior Director, Global Quality Engineering
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hazem-eleskandarani-p-e-pmp-47705842/
Thomas McMann
Director - Contracts Division
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/
Timestamps:
00:00 Career Beginnings
12:40 Project Acceleration & Drawbacks
20:36 Risk Management & Project Delays
31:45 AI & Leadership
38:41 Cross Functional Managing
#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #ManufacturingAndEngineering #ISPE #AI
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, we feature Hilary Mills-Baker, a distinguished expert in process automation and computer systems validation within the life sciences sector:
In this episode, we discuss a range of topics including DeltaV, automation, Gender Diversity within Manufacturing and Engineering, GAMP, the ISPE conference, as well as AI and CyberSecurity and a lot more. This conversation applies broadly to all types of connections in the Life Sciences Industry, and aims to educate and inspire those who want to excel in the manufacturing and engineering space.
Follow ARTO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artotalent
Spotify: Leading Beyond The Lab
Instagram: Instagram (@arto.talent)
TikTok: artotalent on TikTok
Apple Podcasts: Leading Beyond The Lab
Website: Home
Youtube: ARTO Recruitment
Hilary Mills-Baker
European Manager of Quality and Validation
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilarymillsbaker/
Thomas McMann
Director - Contracts Division
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcmann-05540a10b/
Timestamps:
00:00 Career Beginnings
12:03 DeltaV & Automation
16:40 AI & Cyber Security
22:31 Gender Diversity in M&E
28:42 GAMP and ISPE
#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #ManufacturingAndEngineering #ISPE #AI
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted by Thomas McMann Making It In Manufacturing is ARTO's new in-person podcast series, spotlighting the leaders shaping the future of manufacturing and engineering.
Each episode dives into the careers, decisions, and defining moments of industry mainstays - revealing the stories and insights behind real-world impact within the manufacturing and engineering space.
If you're a leader in the space - or aspiring to be - this podcast is a must watch. Episodes are available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major platforms.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.