Consulting

Timothy D. Wood

More than 30 years experience in Quality Control Microbiology for cell therapies, devices, and biopharmaceuticals. Over 18 years in the field of cell therapy products in cGMP industry with focus on implementation of a wide variety of contamination control measures including: environmental monitoring (EM) programs, rapid sterility, validation of microbiological methods, sanitization and disinfection, aseptic processing and microbiology training programs, design of media fills, bacterial endotoxin testing, and other contamination control measures.

For further information on consulting opportunities please complete the inquiry form and I will contact you as soon as possible, or you may email at twood@celltherapymicro.com or call me at 425-281-8750 at your earliest convenience.

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  • Method Validation / Protocol and Report Writing
  • Design of EM / Water Monitoring Systems
  • cGMP / ISO / USP / FDA / EU
  • Rapid Microbiological Methods (RMM)
  • Aseptic Processing / Media Fills
  • Disinfection, Sanitization, and Sterilization
  • LAL / Bacterial Endotoxins
  • Develop Basic Microbiology & Cleanroom Training Materials
  • Bioburden, Sterility, and Mycoplasma
  • Design of Microbiology Deviation Investigations
  • Microbial Identification Methods
  • Subject Matter Expert in Regulatory Inspections
  • Cleanroom Qualification
  • Quality Systems and Risk Management

Cell Therapy Microbiology Consulting, LLC

President and Principal Consultant | July 2013 – Present

  • Independent consulting services primarily designed for the unique microbiology and contamination control challenges in the cell and tissue therapy sectors, regenerative medicine, and biopharmaceutical industries.
  • Webinar presentations: EM for Cell Therapy Products, Validation of Alternate Sterility Tests for HCT/Ps, Cleaning, Sanitization, and Qualification of Disinfectant Efficacy for Cell Therapy Products.
  • Cardinal Health, Dublin OH: Reviewed and revised the aseptic process media fill program applicable to 36 U.S. Cardinal Health PET (Positron Emission Topography) manufacturing sites. Defined and revised the Operator Qualification and Manufacturing Site Qualification SOPs and Batch Records for process simulation media fills.
  • Par Pharmaceuticals, Rochester, MI: Comprehensive evaluation of the aseptic filling environmental and personnel monitoring programs at the Rochester 171,000 sq. ft. production facility. Provided well-received written comprehensive report with clear and supported recommendations.
  • Progenitor Cell Therapy (PCT Caladrius), Allendale, NJ: Evaluated companies EM and Microbiology product and safety testing programs at multiple facilities. Performed gap and risk analysis, provided recommendations to harmonize systems from site to site.
  • Fresenius-Kabi, Buffalo, NY: Provided EM risk assessment and EM site selection report for new aseptic processing Isolator filling lines.
  • National Institutes of Health, Department of Transfusion Medicine (DTM), Bethesda, MD: Reviewed microbiology programs and developed recommendations for multi-facility EM including assessments for number & locations of EM sites, sampling frequencies, and justify site-specific alert and action levels. Assessed cGTPs / cGMPs against regulatory and accreditation standards. Reviewed aseptic / sterile processing practices, cleaning, and gowning procedures. Provided written comprehensive SWOT report with clear and supported recommendations.

 

Dendreon Corporation, Seattle, WA

Sr. Scientist II, Corporate Microbiology | December 1999 – June 2013

Responsible for the development of microbiological policies, ongoing multi-site support, and the design, implementation, and harmonization of the environmental monitoring (EM) programs at all Dendreon commercial cell therapy processing facilities. Developed and validated the PROVENGE cell therapy product microbiological testing programs currently utilized at all commercial facilities. Part of this included the project to replace the traditional sterility test method per the former biologics regulation 21 CFR 610.12 with an alternate rapid method platform utilizing the growth-based BacT/ALERT system. The BacT/ALERT method decreased test time fron 14 days to a 7-day test with a 36-44 hour in-process pre-harvest negative-to-date release for administration. Developed the project design, performed feasibility/proof-of-concept testing, wrote the validation protocols, sterility test methodology, and performed the method validation and performance qualification of the BacT/ALERT system. The alternate method ultimately gained FDA approval for use in the U.S. during Phase III trials and subsequently for commercial distributed product. Lead the cross-site microbiology management team to identify and implement continuous microbiology improvement projects, EM efficiencies, and implemented change control improvements to meet cGMP. Created microbial investigation procedures, and performed sterility failure OOS and EM investigations. Developed the aseptic processing, basic microbiology, gowning and cleanroom behavior training presentations for Quality and cell process Manufacturing staff. Technical lead in the development of an automated microbiological Gram stain and rapid endotoxin testing methods to reduce labor, test turnaround time, and cost-of-goods (COGS). Designed the microbiology method and technology transfer to U.S. satellite sites and European CMO. Participated as subject matter expert in multiple FDA and other regulatory inspections at multiple manufacturing facilities. Authored numerous microbiology technical reports, position papers, and validation protocols and reports. Have given several talks (e.g. ISCT, PDA, AABB symposiums) concerning development and validation of alternate sterility testing rapid microbiology method using the by BacT/ALERT system.

Quality Control Supervisor

Provided training and supervision of laboratory analysts in testing methods, pharmaceutical water and EM programs, product testing, endotoxin LAL method, microbial identifications, data review and approval, setting goals and project timelines. Functioned as the central EM program coordinator for multiple satellite cell therapy CMO sites including Progenitor Cell Therapy (PCT), Hackensack NJ and Mountain View CA; Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN; and American Red Cross, Philadelphia PA. These responsibilities included the development of site EM plans and EM site selections, executing and overseeing clean room performance qualifications, and creating and reviewing periodic trending reports for the cellular therapy processing laboratories. This also included training the satellite CMO manufacturing and quality staff in the implementation of aseptic gowning and new gown qualification program. Wrote microbiology portions of the Biological License Application for PROVENGE consisting of microbiological product attributes, contamination controls, disinfectant efficacy, and environmental controls. Member of cleaning validation team to develop protein manufacturing bioreactor and clean-out-of-place (COP) procedures, swab and rinsate recovery studies for microbial content, TOC, and Conductivity for protein manufacturing. Interfaced with validation, device engineering, and contract device manufacturers to implement AAMI / ISO compliant device radiation sterilization validation and periodic dose audit programs per the VDmax ISO standard.

Sr. Quality Control Associate

Set-up and implemented the first Dendreon QC Microbiology laboratory for the Seattle clinical cell processing and protein manufacturing facility. This included evaluating and redesigning the environmental monitoring (EM) program to focus on greater efficiencies, cost reductions, while utilizing a more risk-based approach to the EM program. Wrote and implemented procedures such as media growth promotion, endotoxin release testing methods, and microbial identification. Responsible for training other analysts, and providing oversight of the satellite environmental control and microbiological product testing programs at other clinical cell processing sites for harmonization. Wrote EM summary trend reports for multiple cell processing sites and analyzed alert/action levels and adjusted based on historical data. Team member in developing microbiological cleaning validation plan for chromatography skids and protein purification areas.

ICOS Corporation

Sr. Quality Control Associate | May 1999 – Nov 1999

Performed sampling and testing in support of the EM and water monitoring programs for the ICOS biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant. Cleaning validation team member for the bioreactor, fermentation, and purification areas. Responsible for creating and revising SOP’s as needed. Validation work in support of steam-in-place (SIP), clean-in-place (CIP), and clean-out-of-place (COP) cleaning validation concerning bioburden, endotoxin, and total organic carbon removal.

Dendreon Corporation, Seattle WA

Contract Consultant | April 1999

Consulted for Dendreon in the writing of an environmental monitoring (EM) program assessment and creation of EM implementation policy. Created microbiology laboratory SOPs, EM procedures, and sampling methods to prepare company for initiating an in-house microbiology sampling and testing laboratory.  Performed return on investment (ROI) for bringing in microbiology test procedures in-house to reduce contract laboratory costs.

Xcyte Therapies, Seattle WA

Microbiologist | 1998 – 1999

Responsible for identifying and procuring laboratory test equipment, materials, and supplies for setting up the Xcyte QC microbiology laboratory for the Seattle clinical facility. Provided research in order to provide cost effective, reliable, and compliant laboratory sampling and testing equipment. Responsible for creating the Xcyte microbiological laboratory methods and procedures.

CellPro, Inc., Bothell WA

Microbiologist | 1993 – 1998

Responsibilities for overseeing the Quality Control microbiology laboratory function including designing EM programs and systems, sterility testing and bioburden methods. Microbiology lead responsible for training new microbiologists. Performed microbiological product testing including final product sterility, bioburden, endotoxin, microorganism identification, and biological indicators testing for sterilization validations. Participated in successful Quality System and FDA inspections both pre and post approval. Developed and validated microbiological tests including device bioburden recovery and sterility for sterile products and devices. Developed the aseptic fill EM program for new semi-automated filling line to increase manufacturing output. Performed device dose audits, execution of bioburden recovery studies, and sterility testing in support of device radiation sterilization per current AAMI and ISO standards. Maintained water quality and environmental quality databases. Member of multiple project teams interfacing with Engineering, Manufacturing, Facilities, and QA.

Abbott Research, Bothell WA

Research & Development Technician / QC Technician | 1987 – 1993

Responsible for building, and testing of in-vivo continuous blood gas fiber-optic medical devices. Participated on teams responsible for new fiber-optic sensor designs and microscopic manufacturing techniques. Responsible for training new technicians in manufacturing processes and device functional testing. Performed microbiological quality control testing for device bioburden, toxicity, and endotoxin testing by the LAL gel-clot assay. Performed environmental monitoring (EM) of class 100 LAFs and class 10,000 clean room facility.

Conference Presentations

 

  • Invited Speaker: BioXchange Meeting. Philadelphia, PA. 2019.
  • Invited Speaker: BioXchange Meeting. Salt lake City, UT. 2018
  • Poster Presentation: International Society for Cell Therapy (ISCT) Annual Meeting. Montreal, NV 2018
  • Invited Speaker: AABB Annual Meeting. San Diego, CA. 2017.
  • Invited Speaker: AABB Annual Meeting. Anaheim, CA. 2015
  • Poster Presentations: International Society for Cell Therapy (ISCT) Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV 2015.
  • Invited Speaker: IVT Microbiology Week-Institute of Validation Technology. San Diego, CA. 2013.
  • Invited Speaker: Seventh Annual Somatic Cell Therapy Symposium-ISCT. Bethesda, MD. 2007.
  • Invited Speaker: Rapid Methods in Pharmaceutical and BioPharmaceutical Manufacturing-Barnett International. Brussels. 2005.
  • Invited Speaker: 4th Annual Somatic Cell Therapy Symposium. Houston,TX. 2004.
  • Invited Speaker: International Society for Cell Therapy (ISCT) 9th Annual Meeting, Phoenex, AZ. 2003.
  • Invited Speaker: American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) Symposium and 27th Congress of the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). Vancouver, BC. 2002.

Other Conferences

  • Open Conference on Compendial Change-Pharmaceutical Microbiology Forum (PMF). Baltimnore, MD. 2009.
  • Pharmaceutical Water System Design and Operation-Center for Professional Advancement. 2008.
  • Environmental Monitoring and Controls-Institute of Validation Technology. 2004.
  • Validation Requirements for Rapid Microbiology-RMUG (Rapid Micro Users Group). 2002.
  • Cleaning Validation Seminar – Ionics Instruments. Destin LeBlanc. 2002.
  • Rapid Methods: Strategies for Automation, Detection, and Validation of Microbiology Test Methods-Barnett International. 2002.
  • Modern Pharmaceutical Microbiology-Advancing the Science, PDA Conference. 2001.
  • Critical Environments Seminar, by Anne Marie Dixon, Clean Room Management Associates. 1999.
  • Use of Disinfectants in Parenteral Facilities – James Wilson, PDA. 1996.
  • Radiation Sterilization/Terminal Sterilization of Injectables, PDA. 1995.
  • Microbiological QA for Pharmaceuticals – Richard T. Wood, PDA. 1994.
  • Advanced Environmental Monitoring – James Akers, PDA. 1994.
Cell Therapy Microbiology Consulting, LLC