Research & Development Team

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Normand Blais

AVP, Product Development (Chemistry, Biologics and New Modalities)

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Paul Mugford

Director, Process Development, Biologics

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Krista Affleck

Director, Analytical Development

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Ankur Deshpande

Director, Process Development Quality

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Scott Banfield

Director of Complex Chemistry

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Normand Blais– AVP, Product Development (Chemistry, Biologics and New Modalities)

  • 20+ years at GSK leading work on multiple vaccine programs
  • Recently held positions in industry include: Senior Director (Function Head) Protein Biochemistry; Director Antigen Design & Prototype Production; and, Lab Head, Antigen Design and Protein Characterization.
  • Key areas of expertise are:
    • Vaccinology and technical development of Biologics
    • Recombinant protein expression systems and purification
    • Viral Vectors, mRNA vaccines, Bacterial outer membrane vesicles production
    • Protein Engineering and Structural Biology
    • Leveraging and interpreting protein biophysical attributes and analytics
  • Post graduate studies in Functional Genomics (Université Laval) and Bioinformatics (MIT); M.Sc. Microbiology and Immunology (Laval).
  • 25+ Patent Applications & 5 Scientific Publications

Paul Mugford, Director, Biologics Process Development

  • Ph.D. from McGill University (2006) in Bio-Organic chemistry focused on protein engineering and enzymatic reactions.
  • 17+ years experience in developing industrial biotech processes involving biocatalysis, chromatographic purification, and lipids, along with tech transfer of these process from lab to manufacturing scale.
  • Co-author of 11 publications and patents.
  • Joined BIOVECTRA in 2020.

Krista Affleck - Director, Analytical Development

  • Master of Science degree from the University of Prince Edward Island (2002).
  • Hired by BIOVECTRA as a Quality Control Chemist (2002).
  • Joined R&D group as Research Technician in 2003.
  • Joined Analytical Chemistry group in 2008.
  • Promoted to Group Leader on the Analytical Chemistry group in 2012.
  • In 2014, became the Manager, Analytical Support, and Development in the R&D group.
  • In 2018, became the Director, Analytical Development.

Ankur Deshpande – Director, Process Development Quality

  • M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry from The University of New Brunswick (2008)
  • Has 12 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry in analytical services and quality
  • Joined BIOVECTRA in 2010 as a QC Chemist

Scott Banfield - Director, Complex Chemistry, PD

  • Brings 20 years of experience in synthetic and medicinal chemistry, process development, and cross-functional project leadership across academia, biotech, and pharma.
  • Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing global CRO and CMO collaborations.
  • Contributed to multiple IND submissions and supported the successful FDA approval of the liquid oral suspension formulation of metronidazole (LIKMEZ).
  • Known for a structured, results-driven leadership approach with a strong focus on mentoring and team development.
  • Joined BIOVECTRA in September 2025.

SEO plus – Test

  • 20+ years at GSK, leading R&D activities on multiple vaccine programs
  • Recently held positions in industry include: Senior Director (Function Head), Protein Biochemistry; Director, Antigen Design & Prototype Production; and, Associate Director, Antigen Design and Protein Characterization.
  • Key areas of expertise are:
    • Process development of protein Biologics/Recombinant Antigens
    • Recombinant protein expression (mammalian, insect, yeast, bacterial)
    • Production/design of Viral Vectors, mRNA vaccines, Bacterial outer membrane vesicles
    • Protein Engineering and Structural Biology
    • Defining quality attributes, biophysical characterization of proteins, and analytical strategy
  • Post graduate degrees in Functional Genomics (Université Laval) and Bioinformatics (MIT); M. Sc. Microbiology and Immunology (Laval).
  • 25+ Patent & 5 Scientific Publications