Derek Solomon said to be one of the few laboratory managers in the country familiar with the full range of pharmacopoeial testing, which uses 'old school' chemistry to test pharmaceutical products
Melbourn Scientific has appointed Derek Solomon to become laboratory manager at its Cambridgeshire headquarters.
Recent expansion in its range of services has meant that the company sees the role as core to its future development.
Managing director Steve Westcott says that Solomon is the latest addition to a management team hand picked from the industry and carefully forged to drive the business forward.
"Derek has significant expertise in pharmaceutical analysis as a service provision and brings fresh perspectives which will help us to increase the efficiency of our processes".
The company says Solomon is one of the few laboratory managers in the country to be familiar with the full range of pharmacopoeial testing, which uses 'old school' chemistry to test pharmaceutical products.
Following client requests, Melbourn Scientific is expanding its facilities in this specialist area and is benefiting from Solomon's knowledge.
Steve adds "We have found that our analysts enjoy the challenge of pharmacopoeial analysis which puts their skills to the test.
"The methods are very exact and the reagents specific to a particular test.
"It is rarely economical for client companies to retain people with these skills for the few occasions when the tests are needed, so we see it as a good growth opportunity for Melbourn Scientific, and Derek's knowledge base will provide additional strength in this area".
Solomon comments that he is looking forward to working with the team: "Although there is some overlap between the services that Melbourn offers and those of my previous company, Pharmalytic, the culture and skills base is very different and I am looking forward to the challenge of an evolving service provision line with our clients needs".
Melbourn Scientific says it has invested continually in the latest equipment.
The company employs about 40 analysts at its laboratories and has grown organically to provide a range of contract analytical services to the pharmaceutical industry.
