The Vanrx PharmaSystems team is a world-class group of pharmaceutical industry professionals with the singular goal of being global leaders in aseptic manufacturing systems. Our experience, innovation and superior technology make this goal achievable. Our spectrum of experience covers drug product development, process engineering, development and implementation of new manufacturing technology, and building and operating facilities. We have first-hand experience working with the majority of contract fill/finish sites in Europe and North America, and know what works and what does not.
Management
Christopher Procyshyn has extensive experience in pharmaceutics, aseptic processing and pharmaceutical manufacturing. He has directed the CMC efforts of several companies developmeing major late-stage sterile drug products, several with novel complex formulations. Capital projects to support clinical manufacturing have been a particular focus, with recent projects successfully yielding novel technology and facility designs for the production of sterile drug products. Christopher has a global perspective on the pharmaceutical industry, having worked at Lifecore Biomedical (J&J), QLT and Poniard Pharmaceuticals, with manufacturing projects executed worldwide.
Christopher is a member of the Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) and the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers, Pacific Northwest Chapter. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Saskatchewan.
Ross Gold, P.Eng. | Managing Director ▼
Ross Gold has broad and diverse experience in the design and development of pharmaceutical manufacturing systems, as well as leading engineering teams in pharmaceutical companies. His experience includes API and drug product development for both clinical and commercial manufacturing. Through both corporate roles and his consulting practice, Ross has been responsible for design development and fabrication oversight for novel pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment and the planning and execution of capital projects and process technical transfers. Ross has extensive experience consulting for major biotechnology companies and CMO’s in their manufacturing engineering areas, specializing in automation systems.
Ross is a registered Professional Engineer in the province of British Columbia and a member of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.
Jeroen Immerzeel | Director of Product Development ▼
Formerly Process Engineer with QLT, Inc. Jeroen has an extensive background in pharmaceutical process development, process engineering, mechanical design, automation & validation; having worked on projects in North America and Europe. Jeroen holds a Master’s degree in chemical engineering from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Prior to QLT, Jeroen has worked with Gist-Brocades (now DSM), the Dutch Institute of Animal Health and Science, and PURAC biochem. Past projects widely varied from the development of a down-stream process for an API, process engineering of a high-containment vaccine manufacturing facility, to equipment qualification and validation. More recently with QLT, Jeroen has led multiple engineering projects; designing and implementing isolation technology and advanced robotics for pharmaceutical and medical devices for use in clinical trials.
James Rorke | Director of Sales and Product Applications ▼
James Rorke is a Sales and Business Development professional focused on the development and integration of manufacturing systems for the life sciences industry. In the past 10 years he has produced effective solutions for successful companies in the pharmaceutical, medical device, biotech, and nuclear diagnostic sectors.
James graduated from Sheridan College of Applied Arts and Science with an Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. He went on to work for ATS Automation in Cambridge ON, and Emerson Process Management in Portland OR; where he has filled various roles in design development, applications engineering, and account management.
Board of Directors
Paul Geyer graduated with a B.Sc. in electrical engineering from the University of British Columbia in 1988. In 1991, he founded Mitroflow International, a medical device company that developed and commercialized bovine tissue heart valves. As the Company’s President and CEO, Paul grew Mitroflow from a start-up of nine employees and an investment of $800,000 in 1991 to more than 125 employees in 1999, when he sold the Company to Sulzer Medica of Switzerland for more than $50 million.
In 1998, Paul received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. In 1999, he was named as one of Business in Vancouver newspaper’s “Top 40 Under 40,” an award given to honour outstanding young businesspeople in the city of Vancouver. In 2001, Paul founded Medical Ventures (now Neovasc Inc. TSXV:NVC), a medical devices firm specializing in products for the quickly growing vascular and surgical market. Paul is the Chairman of the Board of Medical Ventures and Chairman of the Board of Governors of Science World British Columbia.
As one of Saskatchewan’s premier business consultants, Ms. Anthony has a diverse background in the private and public sector, as well as the non-profit arena. She has direct experience as a capital strategist and catalyst, and with more than 25 years experience in a professional career, Lanis has proven expertise in a diversity of business disciplines including communications and marketing, public and government relations, administration, finance and project management. Lanis is one of the pioneering steering members and recently appointed board member of SAINT (Saskatchewan Angel Investors Network) the province’s first formalized Angel-entrepreneur organization. Utilizing a dynamic and interactive web-based environment, SAINT is the province’s foremost market- and meeting-place for entrepreneurs and Angel investors to explore new business opportunities.
She has been recognized numerous times for her personal contributions of time, energy and funds to a long list of charitable organizations including the MS Society, Special Olympics, United Way, Canadian Cancer Society and most recently the drive for Breast Cancer Awareness. She earned her BA (English) from University of Saskatchewan and Communications Diploma from SAIT in Calgary.
Mr. Vander Laan founded Trojan Technologies Inc. in 1976, acquiring the patent for a small ultraviolet device for private water supply applications. Building upon that concept he developed a company that is now a global leader in its field with revenues well in excess of $100 million per year. In 2004 Trojan Technologies Inc. (at the time a TSX listed company) was acquired by Danaher Corporation. Mr. Vander Laan has continued to work with Trojan Technologies Inc in the role of Senior Advisor. Prior to founding Trojan Technologies Inc., Mr. Vander Laan was Vice President of Canadian Cable Systems Limited (currently Rogers Cable Systems) from 1969 to 1977, where he was responsible for technical operations and personnel for the largest cable television company in Canada.
In 1998, Jeff Brown co-founded Highstreet Asset Management, a London, Ontario-based firm specializing in managing investment funds for Pension Plans, Endowments and Private clients. By 2006, Jeff and his partners had taken Highstreet from a start up company to a firm with a solid reputation as a disciplined investment firm managing over $5.0 billion, at which point the company was sold to AGF Management (TSX: AGF.B).
Jeff is an active community volunteer, a board member for the London International Airport Authority and the Ivey Community Sponsored Investment Fund as well as a fundraiser for Canadian Diabetes. Jeff is a past Chair of the Business Relations Committee with the London Chamber of Commerce and is a judge for the Chamber’s annual Business Achievement Awards.
A graduate of the Ivey School of Business, Jeff obtained his Honours Business Administration degree in 1985, his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1991 and his Chartered Directors designation from the Directors College in 2009.
Strategic Advisory Board
James Agalloco is President of Agalloco & Associates, a technical service firm to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Jim has over 35 years of industry experience and has worked in organic synthesis, pharmaceutical formulation, pharmaceutical production, project and process engineering, validation and process automation during his career at Merck, Pfizer, Squibb and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Jim holds a BS and MS in Chemical Engineering and an MBA in Pharmaceutical Studies. He is a past President of the Parenteral Drug Association and served as an Officer or Director from 1982 to 1993. He is a member of USP’s Microbiology and Sterility Assurance Expert Committee for 2005-2010. He is a member of the editorial advisory board’s of Pharmaceutical technology and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing. He is a frequent author and lecturer on the subject of sterilization, aseptic processing, isolation technology and process validation.
Sam has over twelve years experience in programming, design, and qualification of biotechnology and pharmaceutical facilities ranging form clinical to full-scale production plants. Sam’s particular focus is in cGMP manufacturing design including process technology evaluation, capacity analysis, and cGMP environmental classification, and operational analysis. Sam draws from his compliance and process experience to create and develop functionally compliant designs, integrating owner and regulatory requirements. Sam’s experience is international and he has filled the role as project manager and process lead on major capital projects through to construction. Sam is very active in ISPE heading up the Manufacturing technology Subcommittee and is a Steering Committee Member of ISPE COP Sterile Products. Sam is recognized as a leader in fill/finish facility design and containment of highly potent compounds. Sam frequently presents and lectures on subject matters including: Fundamentals of High Hazardous (Potent) Compound Safety, Facility Design Strategies for Aseptic Manufacturing, Manufacturing Dynamics / Capacity Driven Programming, Regulatory Issues for the Biotechnology Industry, Planning, Designing and Managing Renovation Projects, Potent Compound Systems Containment Strategies.
Currently member of a number of boards of private companies and the board of an Ontario power distribution company. Formerly, a senior officer of one of Canada’s largest independently owned base metal exporters. The company created two brand new Canadian mining projects and listed on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges. Former Governor and executive of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, former member of council and executive of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, former Chairman of the Canadian Bankers Association Task Force on Capital Adequacy and Liquidity and Past President, Financial Executives Institute (Toronto Chapter). Previously, a senior officer at a major Canadian bank, created a brand new department to raise the bank’s capital on a global basis. Involved extensively in the creation of the capital markets group of the bank, the purchase of a major investment dealer and a United States bank, and in managing the insurance industry relationships of the bank. CA 1964; FCA 1982.
With a professional background in software engineering, David Greer has many business successes to his credit. He built up and ran a highly profitable multimillion-dollar software company with a global industry presence and Fortune 500 customers. He has also been active in the Vancouver angel investment community, and instrumental in launching and growing several emerging companies. David is a senior advisor to VanRx and CEO Chris Procyshyn. David mines his decades of business and entrepreneurial experience to provide advice on corporate development, business plans, product strategy, and financing. He is excited at the potential for the company and its products to dramatically change and improve the manufacturing and production of aseptic drugs.
