Sean Malone
While attending the UW PharBE program, Sean Malone worked for Waisman Biomanufacturing as a process development & manufacturing specialist. Located in Madison, Wis., Waisman Biomanufacturing focuses on bringing novel therapeutics into the clinic. In 2020, Sean graduated from the PharBE program and joined Catalent as a specialist I, manufacturing protein therapeutics. Catalent is a global company focused on drug delivery technologies and manufacturing solutions. Ten months later, Sean was promoted to a scientist III in the Technical Operations group at North Dakota-based Aldevron, which manufactures biologics. Working in the Madison, Wis. location, Sean focuses on process development for research-grade proteins and enzymes necessary for mRNA synthesis and production.
Sean is currently working on improving yield for specific in vitro transcription (IVT) enzymes for mRNA vaccines. “We have one that is particularly problematic, and we are working on increasing the yield,” Sean said. He enjoys the technical challenges as well as Aldevron’s support for his work and life outside of his job.
At the UW, Sean’s favorite PharBE class was process development taught by Doug Miller, affiliate assistant professor in the Department of Bioengineering. “It allowed me to grow in that area, and that mattered a lot to me because it was the direction I wanted to go in my career,” Sean shared. “The PharBE master’s program allowed me to rapidly move up my career ladder into higher level positions when combined with my previous work experience.”
PharBE students learn about a lot of different cells and molecules while in the program. Sean likes the adeno-associated virus because “having worked with it, I find it fascinating,” he said. “It’s been the key to getting gene therapies out, FDA approved and into the market.”
“The PharBE master’s program allowed me to rapidly move up my career ladder into higher level positions when combined with my previous work experience.” – Sean Malone
Outside of work, Sean enjoys spending quality time with his fiancé and their two dogs, and thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine, now spending time with family and friends.