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Mid-Atlantic Biochemical Engineering Consortium
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MABEC 2004 Keynote
Marco A. Cacciuttolo, PhD
Vice President, Technical Operations
Medarex, Inc., Bloomsbury, NJ
The Practice of a Biochemical Engineer:
What Is Out There?
The ever-changing landscape of technical opportunities and challenges in the biotechnology field is appealing to inquisitive and entrepreneurial minds. The role of a biochemical engineer in providing the tools to solve medical needs has become a powerful weapon to fight diseases by means that were never before possible. In this context, my personal experience has been extremely rewarding having contributed to the development and manufacturing or several drugs to fight cancer and infectious diseases. The formative years at UMBC, and earlier on at the Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso (UCV), raised the awareness of the many possibilities this particular field of engineering could bring to help solve unmet needs in healthcare. From the technological point of view, biotechnology, as we know it today, has grown from traditional fermentation to production of therapeutics. Although the principles can be adapted, the technical difficulties encountered when producing complex proteins at high yields and under strict quality guidelines makes it even more challenging for a practitioner of this field. Some of the experiences encountered during my 10 years of practice, since my graduation from UMBC, will be shared to highlight the importance of biochemical engineers within today’s high-tech industries.
Dr. Cacciuttolo is Vice President of Technical Operations at Medarex, Inc., a biotechnology company with headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey. In his role, Dr. Cacciuttolo is responsible for process development, analytical sciences, quality control, GMP manufacturing, validation, materials management, and the management of outsourcing activities. Prior to his current position, Dr. Cacciuttolo has held several roles of increased responsibilities within Medarex, since he joined the company in March of 2001. Dr. Cacciuttolo was previously Manager, Cell Culture Manufacturing at MedImmune, Inc., Frederick, Maryland. In this role, Dr. Cacciuttolo was responsible for the manufacturing of Synagis; the first approved monoclonal antibody against an infectious agent. He also participated in the commissioning and licensure of the facility to manufacture Synagis. Prior to this assignment, Dr. Cacciuttolo was a process development engineer in Cell Culture Development at MedImmune, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland. Dr. Cacciuttolo received his Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and his B.S. in Biochemical Engineering from the Catholic University at Valparaiso, Chile.