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2026 DIA Global Annual Meeting: what drives sponsors to mixed outsourcing models and what the transition looks like. In this video interview from the 2026 DIA Global Annual Meeting, Nick Scott of Biogen and Samantha Hadfield of Thermo Fisher Scientific, explain why mixed FSP models are becoming a strategic tool for sponsors seeking greater agility and how geography and portfolio structure shape the decision. Full interview summary. In a recent video interview with Applied Clinical Trials at the 2026 DIA Global Annual Meeting, Nick Scott, head of strategic resourcing and performance optimization at Biogen, and Samantha Hadfield, vice president of operational delivery at PPD FSP Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific, discussed the drivers and dynamics of mixed outsourcing models in clinical operations, following a session moderated by ACT Senior Editor Andy Studna. Scott opened by framing Biogen's move to a mixed FSP model as part of a broader strategic journey to accelerate drug development and allocate resources more deliberately - retaining core competencies in-house while leveraging external partners in areas where building that capability internally does not make strategic sense. Hadfield added a geographic dimension to that framing, describing how large pharma companies often use FSP FTEs to maintain dedicated presence in core countries while relying on unitized FSO arrangements to provide flexibility in markets with lower clinical activity. On the question of where mixed models create the most meaningful gains, both speakers pointed to portfolio dynamics as the primary driver. For Hadfield, the value is most evident when a sponsor's portfolio diversifies or expands - whether through organic growth or M&A - and the ability to bring in the right therapeutic expertise at the right time without growing internal infrastructure becomes a competitive advantage. Scott framed it around volume thresholds, noting that a full FSP model becomes more viable as volume grows, while the mixed approach provides a practical and efficient solution during the earlier or lower-volume phases of a sponsor's development program. The conversation closed on the importance of partnership fundamentals - communication, expectation alignment, shared accountability, and cultural understanding. Both speakers emphasized that the success of any mixed model comes down not just to the model itself but to the deliberateness of the journey: a clear vision of the end state, a well-documented implementation plan, and the kind of trust that allows both sides to solve problems together rather than deflect blame.

Thermo Fisher Scientific unveils an integrated platform to advance scalable Cell Therapy manufacturing. Published at May 4th 2026, 8:30 AM EDT via Business Wire i This article is third-party content and does not represent the views of this site. We make no guarantees regarding its accuracy or completeness. New Gibco(TM) CTS(TM) DynaXS(TM) Single Use Bioreactor supports flexible, cGMP-ready cell expansion from process development to clinical production to support the development of cell therapies for cancer, autoimmune, and other treatments Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today introduced the Gibco(TM) CTS(TM) DynaXS(TM) Single Use Bioreactor, a purpose-built expansion platform designed to help cell therapy developers scale manufacturing with precise control, flexibility, and regulatory readiness. As cell therapies move from early research into clinical development and commercialization, manufacturers face increasing pressure to transition from static culture systems to scalable, automation-ready platforms that can support consistent quality, cost control, and cGMP compliance. Developers must balance process flexibility with the operational demands of clinical manufacturing, often within limited facility space and tight development timelines. At the same time, the cell therapy landscape continues to evolve beyond oncology into a broader range of indications, including autoimmune and other emerging areas. This shift is driving the development of new cell modalities and diverse manufacturing approaches. These emerging applications often require different process configurations and production scales, adding complexity to manufacturing strategies across all stages of development and commercialization. The CTS DynaXS Single Use Bioreactor was designed specifically to address these evolving needs. The stirred-tank, single-use system supports cell expansion across development and early clinical volumes, offering a scalable platform from small process development batches to larger cGMP manufacturing runs. "Cell therapy manufacturers are navigating a rapidly expanding pipeline and increasing regulatory expectations," said Sara Henneman, vice president and general manager of Thermo Fisher Scientific's cell culture and cell therapy business. "The CTS DynaXS bioreactor reflects our commitment to help deliver end-to-end, integrated solutions that enable customers to simplify scale-up, strengthen process control, and support the development of therapies intended for patient use." Integrated Within the CTS Cell Therapy Ecosystem The CTS DynaXS bioreactor extends Thermo Fisher's Cell Therapy Systems (CTS) portfolio, supporting workflows from cell isolation and activation through expansion and downstream processing. This integration enables customers to build modular, scalable manufacturing strategies with unified technical support and regulatory documentation. "Manufacturers want platforms that grow with them," said Andy Campbell, senior director of research and development at Thermo Fisher Scientific. "With CTS DynaXS, we are providing a solution designed specifically for cell expansion that aligns with the broader cell therapy manufacturing journey. The single-use bioreactor offers a broad operating range and flexible design, enabling customers to efficiently scale from small to large production across a wide variety of volumes, applications, and cell types." Thermo Fisher's Commitment to Cell Therapy Innovation Spans Over 20 Years As demand for scalable, reproducible cell therapy manufacturing solutions accelerates, Thermo Fisher remains committed to supporting customers with technologies designed to reduce complexity, enhance control, and support progress toward clinical development. About Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue of more than $45 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, increasing productivity in their laboratories, improving patient health through diagnostics or the development and manufacture of life-changing therapies, we are here to support them. Our global team delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon and PPD. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com. Contacts. Report this content If you believe this article contains misleading, harmful, or spam content, please let us know.