Naisarg Pujara
Brisbane,Australia
Summary
R&D, Quality and Technical Operations leader with 10+ years across pharmaceuticals, veterinary health, vaccines and cosmetics. Currently head a cross-functional Product Development, Quality and Technical Operations function spanning three departments. Delivered 25+ commercialized products and 80+ R&D formulations from concept to market, with a track record of building in-house R&D/QA labs (30% cost reduction, 40% faster turnaround) and leading GMP/GLP/APVMA/TGA/ICH-compliant formulation and stability programs. PhD in Nanotechnology & Nanomedicine; hands-on expertise in HPLC, LC-MS, SEM, TEM, VaxArray and TFF.
Accomplishments
- Successfully commercialized 25+ human and veterinary pharmaceutical products and supported 80+ R&D formulations from lab to market.
- Advanced thermostable MAP vaccine programs at Vaxxas from preclinical to clinical stages.
- Built and managed in-house R&D, QA, and analytical labs, reducing outsourcing costs and improving turnaround.
- Led formulation and stability programs fully compliant with TGA, GMP, GLP, and ICH standards.
- Developed liposomal and nanoparticle delivery systems enhancing bioavailability and efficacy.
- Implemented innovation pipelines aligned with market trends and business growth objectives.
Skills
- Product Development & R&D Leadership
- Cosmetic & Pharmaceutical Formulation
- Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance (GMP, GLP, APVMA, TGA, ICH, ISO 22716)
- Claims Substantiation & Regulatory Documentation
- Stability & Compatibility Testing
- Analytical Techniques (HPLC, LC-MS, SEM, TEM, VaxArray, TFF, Zetasizer)
- Supplier & Raw Material Qualification
- Cross-Functional & Cross-Departmental Leadership
- Lab Setup & Team Management
- Lean Six Sigma
- Project Management
- Sustainable & Cruelty-Free Product Development
- HACCP
Certification
- HACCP Principles and Practices – Great Learning Academy
- Lean Six Sigma — Anexas Europe
- Leadership and Team Development — International Business Management Institute (IBMI), Berlin
- Project Management Foundations — LinkedIn Learning / Project Management Institute (PMI®)
- Drug Discovery, Design and Development — Alison
- Audit Preparation Training — PharmOut
- Zetasizer User Training, Particle Sizing — ATA Scientific
- People Management — MindLuster
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Product Development, Quality & Tech. Op.
Cosmetech Pty Ltd
Gold Coast, QLD
01.2026 - Current
- Lead product development, quality and technical operations as a single cross-functional remit spanning three departments, reporting into senior leadership on strategy and resourcing.
- Direct formulation and development of new cosmetic products from concept through pilot scale production, ensuring performance, safety and regulatory compliance.
- Manage supplier quality agreements, micro-testing partnerships, purchase order coordination and stock/packaging planning across simultaneous operational workstreams.
- Run stability, compatibility and efficacy testing programs to substantiate product claims and guarantee shelf-life.
Source and evaluate raw materials and new ingredient technologies, keeping formulations aligned with market trends and sustainability goals. - Partner with marketing, sales and production teams on product launches and technical knowledge transfer; mentor junior formulation staff.
Research & Formulation Manager
Abbey Animal Health Pty Ltd
Brisbane, Australia
12.2023 - 01.2026
- Lead a cross-functional team of R&D, QA, analytical and production teams, directing the full product lifecycle from concept to market launch.
- Drove successful commercialization of 25+ veterinary products, optimizing formulations and scaling processes to meet a 50% increase in production volume over the last year.
- Established and managed in-house R&D and QA laboratories, resulting in a 30% reduction in external outsourcing costs and a 40% faster turnaround time for critical analytical testing.
- Ensure adherence to GMP, GLP, CAPA, and regulatory frameworks, supporting APVMA audit readiness.
- Conducted comprehensive stability studies, raw material qualification, and process validation.
Formulation Chemist
Abbey Animal Health Pty Ltd
Brisbane, Australia
11.2022 - 12.2023
- Engineered and scaled veterinary and pharmaceutical products, achieving full GMP compliance.
- Developed and optimized formulations with ICH-compliant stability and compatibility studies.
- Authored regulatory documentation and supported APVMA submissions for timely market approvals.
- Collaborated with QA, supply chain, and production teams to troubleshoot and improve product performance.
Pre-clinical Scientist
Vaxxas Pty Ltd
Brisbane, Australia
09.2020 - 11.2022
- Spearheaded MAP (microneedle) vaccine delivery programs, advancing thermostability profiles and enabling progression of a key vaccine candidate from preclinical to Phase I clinical stages.
- Validated and performed GLP/GMP-compliant analytical testing (HPLC, BCA, VaxArray, TFF), ensuring data accuracy for CMC sections and regulatory filings.
- Coordinated 5+ cross-functional teams (Formulation, QA/QC, and Regulatory) to achieve critical preclinical and clinical trial milestones on schedule.
- Conducted stability assessments and raw material qualification to ensure supply chain reliability.
Senior Research Technician
UQ Diamantina Institute
Brisbane, Australia
02.2019 - 08.2020
- Formulated liposomal vaccine and drug compositions to improve bioavailability and stability.
- Conducted ICH-compliant stability studies and QC testing for preclinical research.
- Optimized cellular assays and molecular protocols for nanomedicine and cancer research.
PhD Researcher
UQ School of Pharmacy
Brisbane, Australia
01.2015 - 11.2018
- Developed nanoparticle-based oral drug delivery systems to enhance solubility and bioavailability.
- Conducted in vivo pharmacology studies, in vitro assays, and comprehensive nanoparticle characterization.
- Authored scientific publications, regulatory-aligned reports, and grant documentation.
Education
PhD - Nanotechnology & Nanomedicine
University of Queensland
Brisbane, Australia11.2018
Master of Pharmacy - Pharmaceutics
Gujarat Technological University
Rajkot, India05.2013
Bachelor of Pharmacy - Pharmacy
Saurashtra University
Rajkot, India07.2011