Matt Ferguson

About Matt Ferguson

I am a senior pharmaceutical leader with over 20 years of experience leading product development, manufacturing, and scientific strategy in complex GMP environments. Currently serving as Senior Director at Lonza, I lead a multidisciplinary team focused on early-phase manufacturing and development of oral and inhaled drug products.My expertise spans technical development, clinical supply, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence, with a strong track record of delivering high-impact results through lean thinking, structured problem-solving, and collaborative leadership. I am passionate about building scientific capabilities, elevating team performance, and driving innovation that benefits both patients and clients.

Experience

1. Sr Director, Head of Product Development and Early Phase Manufacturing Site Leadership Team Member

   Lonza

   Oct 2023 — Present · Bend, OR, US

   I lead a multidisciplinary department of 120 scientists, engineers, and operations professionals responsible for designing and delivering phase-appropriate drug products across the full development lifecycle. My remit includes P&L ownership, strategic planning, and investment decisions aligned with site and global priorities. As a member of the senior leadership team, I help shape and execute site-level strategy.Our department integrates material science, pre-formulation, analytical method development, pre-clinical manufacturing, and a GMP clinical manufacturing facility. We specialize in solving complex development challenges—enhancing bioavailability for poorly soluble compounds, engineering particles for inhalation therapies, and developing flexible, age-appropriate oral formulations. We support a range of clients and dosage forms, from early discovery through to clinical trial supply, under a phase appropriate quality system designed for both respiratory and oral solid dosage technologies with the flexibility of the clinical stage of development in mind.

Education

• Oregon State University

  MBA Studies

• North Carolina State University

  B.S., Chemistry

Skills

• Chromatography
• Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Analytical Method Validation
• Gmp
• Validation
• Mass Spectrometry
• Glp
• Formulation
• Method Transfer
• Karl Fisher
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Sop
• Technology Transfer
• Drug Development
• Drug Discovery
• Impurities
• Analytical Methods Development
• Analytical Chemistry
• Combination Products
• Inhalation
• Hplc
• Stability Programs
• Uv/Vis
• Particle Engineering
• Lc-Ms
• Dry Powder Inhalers