What does it take to scale complex biologics manufacturing while keeping speed, quality, and communication aligned? In this episode, Ian Glassford explains how integrated CDMO partnerships are helping biotech companies accelerate ADC and bioconjugate programs from discovery through to commercial manufacturing.
This week on Making It In Manufacturing, Harry Sloan sat down with Ian Glassford, VP at Abzena, with more than a decade of experience spanning medicinal chemistry, synthetic chemistry, bioconjugation, biologics manufacturing, and CDMO leadership roles across GSK and Abzena.
In this episode, Ian Glassford covers:
• How Abzena approaches integrated ADC and bioconjugate manufacturing across discovery, development, and GMP production (00:00)
• Why communication and true partnership models are becoming critical for CDMOs supporting fast-moving biotech programs (02:55)
• The balance between speed to clinic, process standardisation, and maintaining manufacturing quality in complex biologics (03:37)
• Ian’s transition from medicinal chemistry at @GSK into leadership within the bioconjugation and ADC space at Abzena (08:11)
• Where the future of ADCs, AOCs, radionuclide conjugates, and commercial manufacturing is heading over the next five years (10:25)
For anyone working across biologics manufacturing, ADC development, CDMO partnerships, or complex therapeutics, this conversation offers a practical look at how experienced operators are adapting to increasingly demanding timelines and evolving modalities across the biotech industry.
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Harry Sloan:
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and live recording from DCAT Week in New York
00:39 Ian Glassford explains Abzena’s role in the ADC and bioconjugate CDMO market
01:25 The biggest operational challenges in ADC and AOC manufacturing
02:43 What biotech clients are really looking for beyond technical expertise
03:37 Managing the balance between speed, quality, and execution
04:53 How integrated CDMO and CRO models improve timelines and supply chain control
06:43 The importance of communication and partnership in complex programs
08:11 Ian’s career journey from medicinal chemistry into bio conjugates
10:00 Transitioning from hands-on science into site leadership
10:25 Where Abzena and the wider ADC market are heading in the next five years
11:51 Adapting CDMO models to support evolving biologics modalities
12:29 Closing thoughts
#MakingItInManufacturing #ARTOTalent #Biotech #CDMO #Biologics #ADC #DrugDevelopment #Manufacturing #Pharmaceuticals #Bioconjugates
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