Mario DiPaola
Mario is Chief Scientific/Operating Officer and co-founder of Blue Stream Laboratories. Dr. DiPaola has over 15 years experience in the biotechnology/ pharmaceutical industry with extensive knowledge in basic research, development, quality, manufacturing and regulatory functions for protein and small molecule based pharmaceutical products; including a number of approved therapeutics: Alferon-N®, Amevive®, and Sucraid®. From 2001 through 2005, Dr. DiPaola held a variety of positions with Antigenics, including Senior Director of Manufacturing and Director of Quality Control. From 1998-2001, he served in the position of Project Leader at Biogen Idec and authored numerous CMC sections for European and U.S. regulatory filings (IND/BLA/CTD). Prior to his work at Biogen Idec, from 1990-1998, he served as Director of Analytical Development and Quality Control with Charles River Laboratories and Associate Director of Analytical Biochemistry with Interferon Sciences.Dr. DiPaola holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from New York University, and an M.B.A. in Finance from CUNY - Baruch College.
Michael Kouchakdjian
Michael is President and co-founder of Blue Stream Laboratories. From 2000 through 2005, Dr. Kouchakdjian was Director of Business Development at Antigenics Inc. where he led numerous initiatives and transactions in the areas of business development, corporate development, M&A, and alliance management with key partners in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Prior to his work at Antigenics, he held various executive management positions of increasing responsibility at AUA Corporation where he managed day-to-day operations as well as key strategic programs. Dr. Kouchakdjian also has experience in management consulting, business planning, international business and entrepreneurship, and has taught management courses at the university level.Dr. Kouchakdjian holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University and an M.B.A. from UCLA Anderson School of Management.
William Rash
William is Vice President of Sales and Marketing and co-founder of Blue Stream Laboratories. He has more than 19 years experience in the biotechnology industry with extensive business development experience and technical operations knowledge in protein characterization, quality control, and manufacturing-support for protein - based biotech corporations and contract service organizations.Prior to founding Blue Stream, Mr. Rash served as Vice President of Essenix Pharmaceuticals, where he led the North American sales and international business development activities for the early-stage, international, drug-development corporation. From 1997 - 2005, Mr. Rash held the position of Senior Sales Manager for Charles River Laboratories where he significantly increased regional market share for a broad range of CRL products and services. Preceding these business positions, he held various technical operations management positions of increasing responsibility, directing QA/QC, analytical protein chemistry, and sterile manufacturing-support laboratories.
Uditha deAlwis
Uditha is Senior Director of Laboratory Operations and Quality Control. He has over 20 years of experience managing and directing protein-based biopharmaceutical product characterization and development programs in the areas of analytical and bioanalytical assay development, validation, quality control, product release, stability and formulation. Most recently, he was Senior Director, Analytical Sciences at Altus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. where he developed and delivered protein characterization assays for a lead commercial product presently being developed by Eli Lilly & Co. Previously, Dr. deAlwis was Director of Analytical R & D at GlaxoSmithKline Bio where he managed a large group overseeing a number of functions including analytical chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, quality control, facility and safety.Dr. deAlwis holds a Ph.D. in Bioanalytical Chemistry from the University of Arizona. His background includes considerable experience in FDA, EMEA, and ICH requirements for programs from Phase 1 to Phase 3 as well as regulatory submissions spanning from IND to NDA and hosting FDA inspections.
Nicole Morel
Nicole is Senior Director Project and Alliance Management at Blue Stream Laboratories. For 9 years prior to Blue Stream she had held leadership positions in research and Program and Alliance Management at BG Medicine (Boston.MA), where she created and implemented processes and metrics for smooth transition from contract negotiations by the business development team to timely project execution and data delivery for complex projects with budgets up to 5M USD. These technical alliances required successful adherence to strict timelines and program completion within resource constraints. In addition, as a research Faculty in Tufts, BU and Princeton, she headed research laboratories. Dr. Morel also lead various operational teams at Galderma ? including facility, purchasing, and laboratory operations.Dr. Morel holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) and an M.B.A. from Simmons Graduate School of Management (Boston, MA) giving her deep experience in managing the interface of research and business at all stages of the development of products from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
