John L. Dillon, PhD — API Process R&D, Synthetic Organic Chemistry

A highly regarded API process R&D expert, Dr. Dillon’s expansive experience includes a variety of executive positions at multiple pharmaceutical companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Honeywell, Schering-Plough, Wyeth, Pfizer and, most recently, as CEO of Porton USA, a China-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and U.S. subsidiary of Porton Pharma Solutions. While at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he served as Director of Chemical Development Labs, Dr. Dillon’s team developed processes for several breakthrough therapies, including Taxol® (paclitaxel). At Schering-Plough, he was responsible for the transfer of processes to international sites in Singapore and Ireland for both small molecules and biologics. He successfully led an API team under the Consent Decree, which included the revalidation of all API processes at a Puerto Rico facility and resulted in lifting of the Decree.

As CEO of Porton USA, Dr. Dillon was responsible for developing the global strategy for Porton Pharma Solutions. This included the leadership of M&A activities related to CDMO’S for API, drug product manufacturing and biologics. After overseeing the construction of a technology center in Cranbury, NJ, he led the successful acquisition of J-STAR Research, a NJ based CRO handling all aspects of the due diligence process, including legal and finance. The combined companies now employ 75 professionals. Dr. Dillon additionally served as Chairman of the prestigious Organic Reactions and Processes section of the Gordon Research Conference and received numerous awards, including three Presidents Awards at Bristol-Myers Squibb. He holds more than 30 patents and publications.

Expertise 

• Pharmaceutical process R&D, including route selection and optimization
• API validation and technology
• cGMP manufacturing