Authors

Diane Paskiet
Associate Director, Scientific Affairs
610-594-3401
Diane.Paskiet@westpharma.com

In her 20 years of service at West, Diane Paskiet’s responsibilities have included supervision of laboratory operations and project advisor in support of method development and validation studies associated with container closure systems for IND and NDA filings.

Diane has a background in polymer analysis relating to deformulations, failures and migration studies with emphasis on drug packaging and medical devices.  Her current responsibilities include coordination of studies for technical support and innovations as well as providing a forum for education of those technologies.  She is serving a five year term on the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Packaging, Storage and Distribution Expert Committee and Chair of the PQRI Parenteral and Ophthalmic Drug Product (PODP) Working Group.

Diane holds a degree in chemistry from the University of Toledo and a QA/RA Graduate Certificate from Temple University School of Pharmacy. She has authored national and international papers on the subject of leachables and extractables and is a faculty member of the PDA Training Institute as well as a frequent speaker and organizer of conferences.

Fran L. DeGrazio
Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Business Development
610-594-3190
Fran.Degrazio@westpharma.com

Fran DeGrazio has been in the pharmaceutical packaging industry for more than 28 years with extensive expertise in the area of delivery of injectable drug products, such as vial/closure combinations and prefillable syringe systems. 

Throughout her tenure at West, Fran has served in various functions within the Technical Customer Service, analytical laboratory and research and development areas.  Fran was promoted to Vice President, Quality Assurance, Americas, in 2002 with responsibility for quality assurance and quality control for nine manufacturing facilities and the corporate analytical laboratories. In 2004, she assumed responsibility for the Regulatory group. In May 2006 she transitioned into her current role as Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Business Development.

Fran holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Cabrini College in Radnor, Pennsylvania, USA. 

Tibor Hlobik
Associate Director, Marketing
PFS Technologies
610-594-3126
Tibor.Hlobik@westpharma.com

Tibor Hlobik has worked within the pharmaceutical packaging industry for over 20 years in research and development, supplier relations, corporate quality and technical liaison roles primarily at West.  He has extensive experience and overall expertise with vial/closure and prefillable syringe packaging systems. During the past 10 years he was responsible for leading a variety of key customer strategic programs.  Currently he is responsible for supporting business development efforts, and for defining new products and executing Marketing strategies for West’s Prefillable Syringe Technology platform.

Gene Polini
Principal Technical Account Specialist
610-594-3184
Eugene.Polini@westpharma.com 

Gene Polini is a Principal Technical Account Specialist at West’s Lionville, Pa. office.

Gene, who has a background in analytical chemistry, biology and international business, has been with West for more than 26 years.  He provides technical support to key and regional accounts, which includes business development, educational presentations, troubleshooting, and general assistance with technical and production problems.

Gene received his B.Sc. in Biology from Villanova University and an M.B.A. in Health Care Administration from St. Joseph’s University.

Vinod Vilivalam
Director of Strategic Market and Technical Development
610-594-3147
Vinod.Vilivalam@westpharma.com

Vinod Vilivalam, Ph.D., is Director of Strategic Market and Technical Development for Daikyo Crystal Zenith prefillable and vial platforms, part of West’s Pharmaceutical Delivery System segment, since 2005. Vinod’s current responsibilities include market development, scientific support and developing collaborative research alliances with academic and commercial institutions to develop solutions for unmet needs.

Vinod earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics in 1993 and 1996 from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, and has successfully completed a two-year business management program in 1999 at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Jessica Saggers
Technical Account Specialist
610.594.4359
Jessica.Saggers@westpharma.com

Jessica Saggers is a Technical Account Specialist at West’s Lionville, Pa. office.

Jessica has more than seven years in the pharmaceutical industry and has spent the last two years with West where she has provided technical support to customers on an array of West products.  She has also assisted in promoting new West products to our customers.

Jessica is a graduate of Ursinus College with a B.S. in Biology.  She received her M.B.A. in Biotechnology and Health Industry from the Pennsylvania State University.

 Alexis Kopp
Technical Account Specialist
610-594-3447
Alexis.Kopp@westpharma.com

Alexis Kopp joined West in September 2007 as a chemist in the Microscopy group of the Analytical Laboratories and was promoted to Sr. Chemist in April 2009. As a Program Manager in R&D, Alexis was instrumental in managing the West Ready-to-Use Sterile products program.  She currently serves as a Technical Account Specialist, where she is responsible for supporting multi-national accounts and other customers with technical assistance for new and existing products, including understanding the changing market segments and customer/patient driven needs. Alexis has a BS in Chemistry from Cedar Crest College.