About Us
Our story
With a collective century of experience in clinical supplies management, our senior leadership team has firsthand experience facing the challenges of the industry head-on. We have examined every aspect of the business and built systems that are both innovative and flexible.
Our method – The Uniphar Clinical advantage
Uniphar Clinical has implemented constant checkpoints throughout the processes. Each movement is checked by our state of the art IT system. This technology detects and mitigates incidents before they have a chance to occur. In the current industry model, incidents are caught after the fact through QC/QA checks. While Uniphar Clinical has these same post-activity checks in place as safeguards, we experience a much lower incident rate due to our preventive checkpoints.
This approach means our clients and patients receive not only the quality medicines they demand, but also unmatched timelines they deserve.
Meet the team
Our purpose built team, is the aggregation of the most diversified industry experienced leaders available in the market today.
While technical expertise is very important, cultural fit is our primary driver in joining the team. The current team is a collaboration
between Uniphar Clinical and BMclinical.
Bob Albanese
President Uniphar Clinical
Bob joins Uniphar with an eclectic background, ranging from cold chain logistics, software design, heavy civil engineering and clinical supplies.
During Bob’s time at Clinical Supplies Management (CSM), Bob handled both Operations and Business Development, as part of the team that grew a small company in Fargo ND into one of the premier global Clinical Supplies companies in the industry. Bob has merged his background in technology and clinical supplies to help design Uniphar Clinical as an unmatched provider to an ever changing industry. Bob has surrounded himself with top performers from the industry to provide our clients and their patients with unmatched levels of service, everyday.
Shanelle Mehta
Director BMclinical
Shanelle started working in the pharmaceutical industry in 2010 and since has worked for several pharmaceutical companies.
Shanelle has garnered extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in managing global comparator portfolios for numerous leading pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and biotech firms.
In 2018, Shanelle, along with Michael and Roy, embarked on a venture to form BMclinical, a clinical trial supply business. Since then, she has played a pivotal role in enhancing service offerings within the industry, with an unwavering commitment to quality and patient safety, leading to a successful acquisition of BMclinical by the Uniphar Group in 2022.
Beyond her professional achievements, Shanelle is dedicated to contributing to the broader community, serving as a committee member of the Global Clinical Supplies Group (GCSG), a non-profit organization focused on the advancement of the clinical supplies profession.
Michael Bernstein
Vice President Operations/Procurement
Michael manages Uniphar Clinical’s Operations and Drug Procurement teams. Michael is a highly accomplished senior leader with over 35 years of extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
His expertise spans across critical domains including Research and Development (R&D) compliance, operations, supply chain management, quality, clinical packaging and labeling and comparator sourcing. Michael’s career is marked by a profound understanding of the intricate mechanisms that drive the pharmaceutical sector, combined with a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and compliance.
Prior to joining Uniphar Clinical, Michael served as Vice President – Global Clinical Trial Commercial Operations at McKesson where he played a pivotal role in shaping the sourcing and distribution model. His innovative strategies and forward-thinking leadership significantly enhanced the efficiency and reliability of drug distribution channels, contributing to the company’s position as a market leader.
Jennifer Lauinger
Vice-President Business Administration
Jennifer joins Uniphar as a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the world of Clinical Supplies.
Throughout Jennifer’s career, she has held a number of management roles and has honed her skills in various areas including quoting, pricing, sales and client services. From navigating the intricate world of clinical trials to understanding the ever-evolving needs of clients, Jennifer has developed a deep understanding and passion for what she does.
Oliver O’Neill
Senior Business Development Manager
Oliver is working from Ireland, Belfast area and part of the Business Development team. He has over 20 years of experience in the Clinical Supplies industry.
”I have over 20 years experience within the Clinical Supplies Industry. I have worked in operations for over 5 years, I have over 5 years experience as a Project Manager and I been within the Sales, Customer development role for over 10 years”.
Oliver focuses on efficiencies (Process and cost) and ensuring quality is not compromised. He enjoys meeting and presenting to new and existing clients on services and products we can provide.
Graeme Birrell
Business Development Manager
Working from Scotland, Graeme Birrell is part of the Business Development team and has over 10 years experience in the industry.
Graeme has worked in several industries throughout his career but he has always had a passion for pharmaceuticals. Starting as a dispensing assistant in a local pharmacy at the age of 16, he quickly gained knowledge on the pharmaceuticals he dealt with and how the industry operated in the UK. In 2009, Graeme joined a Scottish based wholesaler where he initially worked as a buyer before progressing to global business development. In this role, he spent 4 years in the Middle East supporting hospitals and pharmacies around the World with their pharmaceutical needs. In 2017, Graeme began working within clinical trial services and has not looked back.
He prides himself on his ability to develop solid relationships with his customers and suppliers and knowing exactly what he can do to help them achieve their goals.
Angela Humrich
US Head of Quality
As the US Head of Quality with over 20 years of experience in clinical trial supplies, Angela’s journey has been defined by a steadfast commitment to excellence and enhancing patient outcomes.
Throughout her career, she has navigated the intricate landscape of clinical trials, ensuring the highest standards of quality and compliance. Angela’s leadership is driven by the belief that every process, from packaging to distribution, should contribute to the well-being of those we serve. Together, we strive to deliver products and services that exceed expectations, embodying a commitment to quality that defines our organization.
Stephen Purdy
Clinical Project Designer
Stephen Purdy is a cornerstone of our clinical supplies team, bringing a multifaceted 25-year tenure in healthcare and project management to the forefront.
His career, which began post-graduation from Drexel University with a BSBA in Finance, has been defined by his relentless dedication to client satisfaction and project success. Stephen’s proficiency in team-building and his focus on quality and client timelines are the bedrock of his professional persona.
With a history of managing complex supply chains and providing innovative solutions to a global clientelle, Stephen’s expertise is as expansive as it is profound. His role in business development is accentuated by his adeptness at fostering relationships and his strategic insight into project management, which he has utilized to grow customer bases and navigate the intricacies of global clinical trials.
Stephen’s leadership and mentorship have been invaluable in guiding new managers, and his contribution to operational strategy has been key in ensuring the seamless delivery of clinical trial materials. His ability to adapt and his open communication style are emblematic of our company’s vision for a collaborative and efficient workplace.
In Stephen, we see not only a seasoned professional but a dynamic leader capable of steering projects to success with a client-focused lens. His approach to problem-solving and his commitment to quality underscore our mission to advance clinical trial solutions with precision and care.
Sarah Halmrast
Project Designer
Sarah is a seasoned Project Designer in the Clinical Supplies area. She has a lot of experience in designing for complex projects.
She has designed hundreds of Packaging & Labeling projects, including randomization, global distribution, returns and reconciliation as well as some of the first Direct to Patient trials in the United States. Sarah has led global teams of project managers in her career and supports Uniphar as our resident Subject Matter Expert in complex trial designs
Roksana Milcarek
Quality Manager & Responsible Person
Having spent 6 years in Operation Management and over 2 years in Quality, I’ve had the privilege of optimising operation for efficiency and performance.
This experience has shaped my approach to quality, as I understand the crucial interplay between operational excellence and maintaining high standards.
My goal as Quality Manager & RP is to bridge the gap between quality objectives and operational realities. I believe that quality isn’t an isolated goal but an integral part of seamless operations. By finding the harmony between these two aspects, I aim to contribute to company’s success
James Frohreich
Business Development
Since 2016, James has immersed himself in the intricate world of clinical trial supply management, navigating various roles across operations, contracts, and business development.
Armed with years of experience and a passion for innovation, he continues to drive impactful collaborations and spearhead initiatives that propel the clinical trial landscape forward.
Thuy Tran
Team Lead Project Management
Thuy started working within the clinical trial supply business in 2018. She started as an Inside Sales Representative. From there she grew to become a Project Manager.
Thuy really likes cooking and to go out for dinner with friends or family. She often goes to Amsterdam for a drink or dinner.
”My favorite place in the world is Vancouver, Canada. Vancouver is surrounded by beautiful nature parks and my family lives there too. Some locations look just like a Windows background, so beautiful!
Yi Huang
Project Manager
Yi Grew up in China and is currently living in Biddinghuizen, The Netherlands.
She worked as a cabin crew before for both Gulf Air and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. When Yi came to The Netherlands she started working in sales and after that Yi worked in a variety of purchasing and project management roles.
When Yi is not working she likes to travel and hang out with friends. ”My favorite place in the world is Thailand. I love the sunshine and the spicy food there.
Gina Toppers
Project Manager
Gina started working in the clinical trial supply business back in 2017. She started as a Sales & Purchase professional and later became part of the Inside Sales Team.
Gina enjoys going to the gym, loves to cook and going out with friends on regularly basis. She also likes to go out on city trips in The Netherlands or abroad. She has Italian family and loves to visit the country. The authentic Italy where the nonnas make the pasta themselves during the afternoon, you eat with the whole family at one table and where everyone is ‘famiglia‘; that is where Gina feels at home!
Francesco Pellegrino
Project Manager
Francesco, born and raised in Italy, brings a wealth of professional experience to the Project Manager role.
He worked as a Sales and Project Manager for various companies in Europe. In 2019, he transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry, marking the onset of his dedicated involvement in this sector.
Renowned for his adept problem-solving and client-focused project management skills, Francesco consistently approaches challenges with a strategic mindset, ensuring optimal outcomes aligning with the project requirements and client expectations.
With a combination of education, skills, and prior work experience, Francesco is well-suited to deliver results that align with our organization’s high standards and goals.
Iryna De Weerd
Supply Chain Planner
Iryna is working at our HQ in The Netherlands as Supply Chain Planner.
With several years of experience in purchase and assistant roles she started as a Backoffice Assistant supporting the Project Management team. After that she got a new role as a Supply Chain Planner. This role fits her ambitions and interest, so this is a win-win situation!
The awesome fact about Iryna is that she speaks 4 languages. Russian, Dutch, English and Ukrainian! Iryna’s helpful countenance stems from her experience as a teaching professor of Marketing at a Ukrainian University for 18 years. She also has a PhD in Economics.
Iyrna likes gardening, baking cakes, reading books and traveling. The next destinations which are on her traveling list are Athens and the Atlantic Ocean Beach.
Jemuël Scholten
Supply Chain Planner
Before working as a Supply Chain Planner Jemuël worked as a Pharmaceutical Logistics Specialist.
In his previous role he gained a lot of experience in managing and monitoring the logistic processes for pharmaceutical air freight and road transport.
Drawing from his extensive professional background and educational foundation, Jemuël is exceptionally well-suited to strategize and oversee all Supply Chain operations for our esteemed clients.
Together with Iryna de Weerd Jemuël forms our great Supply Chain team!
Iman Hoeseni
Team Lead Warehouse
Iman has worked in the clinical trial supply business since since 2017.
He finished his school in the port city Harderwijk close to Lelystad. After finishing school he directy started working in the clinical trial supply business. First as Unpacking employee. Then after a few years he became a Work Preparation employee and quickly after that he joined the Export department. A couple of years later he got promoted to become the Team Lead. His current role at the organisation.
Iman has a lot of experience and knowledge within the business and a passion for running logistical operations.
He bears the responsibility that our warehouse is GDP and GMP proof and meets the stringent World Health Organization (WHO) standards for safety and security
Christos Michalopoulos
Marketing and Operations Associate
Christos joined the Uniphar Clinical team in July 2023, bringing with him a fresh perspective and a robust academic foundation from Rutgers Business School in New Brunswick.
Upon the completion of his bachelor’s degree, he seamlessly transitioned into the pharmaceutical sector, where his role at Uniphar Clinical began.
At Uniphar Clinical, Christos is recognized for his natural alignment with our company’s ethos, embodying teamwork and fostering communication that enhances our collaborative environment. His open-minded approach and agility in adapting to new processes have not only contributed to our dynamic workplace but also resonated with the core values we uphold.
His rapid acquisition of new abilities and his eagerness to integrate innovative solutions make Christos an invaluable asset to our team. As he continues to grow with Uniphar Clinical, his trajectory is not just a reflection of his personal ambition, but a testament to our collective commitment to excellence and progress in the clinical packaging and trial solutions domain.