Virtual Plant Best Practices: Interview with Federica Fraschetti, MSD
Description
“Treat them as a partner, not just a supplier. It’s a mindset you need to get into.” – Federica Fraschetti, MSD
Federica Fraschetti, Associate Director of External Manufacturing at MSD, brings years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and a passion for optimising partnerships with contract manufacturing organisations (CMOs).
In the latest PharmaSource podcast episode, Federica explains why getting supplier relationship management right is a key strategy for driving efficiency and fostering innovation in the biopharma industry.
Creating an effective CMC operating model is crucial when working with external partners. Federica emphasises the importance of a clear internal structure that is visible to CMOs:
“What is really key is the structure that you have internally and then externally. So what the CMO can see of your structure when dealing with partners,” she explains.
MSD utilises a ‘virtual plant team’ model, which includes representatives from key functions such as operations, technology, quality, supply chain, and procurement. This structure provides:
- Clear supporting model for day-to-day operations with the CMO
- Established escalation paths
- Defined roles and responsibilities
While it’s ideal to match these roles with counterparts at the CMO, Federica acknowledges that this isn’t always possible. “It doesn’t mean that each function needs to be one-to-one matched at the CMO, but you do need to know where it is matched, even if it is the same person or the same function,” she advises.
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