Smart Biotech Scientist | The CMC and Bioprocessing Podcast for Process Development and Manufacturing Leaders 198: Mastering ADC Development: CDMO Strategies for Analytics and Scale-Up with Amanda Hoertz - Part 2
What happens when the most complex molecules in biotech meet the organizational challenge of managing 300+ analytical scientists? The answer lies not just in the science, but in building systems that turn technical complexity into reliable delivery.
In Part 2 of our deep dive with Amanda Hoertz, VP of Analytical and Formulation Sciences at KBI Biopharma, we shift focus from the molecular intricacies of ADCs to the operational mastery required to scale analytical development across multiple sites. Amanda reveals how her team achieves consistency across hundreds of scientists while maintaining the agility to pivot priorities in real time when critical programs need emergency support.
This isn't just about managing people; it's about architecting systems that preserve institutional knowledge, accelerate method transfer, and deliver results when regulatory deadlines loom.
What you'll discover:
- Seamless Project Handoffs Without Knowledge Loss: How KBI's stable team assignments eliminate the costly learning curves that plague most CDMO relationships, ensuring your molecule expertise stays with your program from development through commercial manufacturing.
- Organizational Scale Without Operational Chaos: The decision tree and layered reporting structure that allows 200+ analysts at a single site to function as a coordinated force, capable of rapid reprioritization and flood-level resource deployment when programs reach critical status.
- Digital Transformation That Actually Works: Beyond the automation buzzwords, Amanda walks through the practical realities of LIMS/ELN implementation, audit-compliant systems, and machine learning databases that transform raw data into defensible, actionable insights for complex biologics.
Whether you're evaluating how analytical capabilities scale with program complexity, or seeking practical insights into leading technical teams through digital transformation, this episode delivers the operational intelligence that separates successful ADC programs from expensive failures.
Connect with Amanda Hoertz:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-hoertz-3aba605
KBI Biopharma: www.kbibiopharma.com
KBI Portal: www.standalone.kbi.bio
Next step:
Book a 20-minute call to help you get started on any questions you may have about bioprocessing analytics: https://bruehlmann-consulting.com/call
One bad CDMO decision can cost you two years and your Series A. If you're navigating tech transfer, CDMO selection, or IND prep, let's talk before it gets expensive. Two slots open this month.