Anil Sebastian, PhD
Anil Sebastian, PhD, is a biopharmaceutical scientist and technical leader with more than two decades of experience spanning academic research, biotechnology and industrial bioprocess development. His career has included scientific and leadership roles across bioprocess development at Lonza Biologics, Accord Healthcare, Ivy Farm Technologies, a stealth-mode biotechnology company and Intercytex.
His core technical expertise spans host-cell and cell line development strategy, media development and optimisation, mammalian upstream process development, scale-up and technology transfer. He also brings practical experience in establishing biopharmaceutical development capabilities, including the set-up of cell line development and process development laboratories, with responsibility spanning laboratory infrastructure, equipment implementation, workflows and operational readiness.
Experience
20+ years in biotech
Publications
40+ articles & papers
Funding
£3M+ secured during post-doc for research
Career highlights
Ivy Farm Technologies
Associate Director, Cell Culture Media & Process Development
Accord Healthcare
Head of Upstream Process Development – established the process development laboratories
Lonza Biologics
Group Leader – inter-site cell line construction governance, worked on novel biologics and biosimilars
Earlier roles
Bioprocess development with a stealth-mode biotechnology company and Intercytex
The University of Manchester
PhD, Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology; postdoctoral research
Regulatory, CMC & compliance
His development experience is complemented by regulatory and CMC exposure, including review and contribution to IND/BLA documentation and scientific support for regulatory submissions and interactions with agencies including the FDA and MHRA. He also has hands-on experience in biosafety and laboratory compliance associated with mammalian cell and genetically modified organism activities.
- IND/BLA documentation review and contribution
- Regulatory interactions including FDA and MHRA
- GMO risk assessments and containment requirements
- COSHH/BioCOSHH documentation
- SOP development and equipment/process procedures
- Qualification activities
Research, funding & memberships
He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology from The University of Manchester and has authored or co-authored more than 40 scientific articles and conference publications. During his postdoctoral research, he contributed to securing more than £3 million in research and innovation funding, providing first-hand experience in developing scientifically credible funding propositions and translating complex research programmes into investment cases.
Education
PhD, Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology
Research & Funding
40+ publications & £3M+ research funding
Memberships
BioIndustry Association (BIA)
Z2 Biopharma Solutions is an active member of the BioIndustry Association (BIA), the voice of the UK's life sciences and biotech sector. Through the BIA, Z2 contributes its cell line development and upstream CMC expertise to the UK biotech community, supporting start-ups and emerging companies in turning promising science into scalable, manufacturable biologics.
ESACT-UK
Z2 Biopharma Solutions is an active member of ESACT-UK, the UK community of the European Society for Animal Cell Technology. Z2 contributes practical, industry-based experience in mammalian cell culture, media development and upstream process development, helping to connect academic research with the realities of biologics manufacturing.
Through Z2 Biopharma Solutions, this focused CLD and upstream CMC expertise is complemented by a panel of experienced consultants with broader bioprocess development understanding, supporting wider scientific and cross-functional discussions across biologics development where required.
