Katarina Ekelund
About Katarina Ekelund
Katarina Ekelund is the Head of CMC at Exscientia, with a strong background in pharmaceutical development and drug delivery. She has held various positions at AstraZeneca, Almirall, and LEO Pharma, contributing significantly to drug development across multiple therapeutic areas.
Current Role at Exscientia
Katarina Ekelund serves as the Head of CMC at Exscientia, a position she has held since 2022. Based in Oxford, England, she is responsible for overseeing the chemistry, manufacturing, and controls aspects of drug development. Her role involves leading teams to ensure the successful development of pharmaceutical products, aligning with the company's strategic goals.
Previous Experience at AstraZeneca
Ekelund worked at AstraZeneca for a total of eight years, holding various positions. She was a Senior Scientist from 2002 to 2007 and later became an Associate Principal Scientist from 2008 to 2011. During her tenure, she contributed to pharmaceutical development and led teams focused on innovative drug solutions.
Experience at Almirall
At Almirall, Ekelund held multiple roles from 2017 to 2022. She was the Global Leader for Topical Formulation Early Development for seven months in 2017, and subsequently served as the Head of Pharmaceutical Development from 2018 to 2022. Her work involved leading projects in drug formulation and development.
Background in Drug Development
Ekelund has a strong background in drug delivery systems, including oral, inhaled, and topical drugs. She possesses expertise in regulatory CMC, dermatology, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and inflammation. Her experience includes designing innovative products across various indications and dosage forms.
Education and Academic Background
Katarina Ekelund earned her PhD in Biophysical Technology from The Faculty of Engineering at Lund University, where she studied from 1995 to 2000. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Uppsala University from 2001 to 2002. Her academic training laid the foundation for her analytical mindset and holistic approach to drug development.