WOMEN IN SCIENCE It has been a few weeks since the news of Healthcare Advance Synthesis (HAS) acquiring Cerbios-Pharma SA (Cerbios), and we are excited to feature an exclusive interview with the talented women of Cerbios’ Quality Assurance (QA) team in our magazine. Led by Quality Director Chiara Gallotti, the QA department at Cerbios is composed of a dedicated team of ten professionals in total. Their diverse expertise, personalities, and backgrounds uniquely contribute to upholding and advancing the highest quality standards within the pharmaceutical industry. Talking to CHEMICALS KNOWLEDGE HUB, Chiara emphasised that this diversity amongst the six women on the team has strengthened their approach and enriched the way they work together. She explained, “Within the HAS group, Cerbios embodies a truly multifaceted organization. In this context, the QA department has the opportunity to engage in a wide range of GMP-related activities. This exposure allows us to gain comprehensive, 360-degree experience – an essential element in ensuring that all quality requirements set by regulatory authorities and clients are consistently met. Quality Assurance is more than just a function; we embody the company’s core values to our customers and authorities. We play a critical role in sustaining the organisation’s presence in the international and highly competitive pharmaceutical market. The QA team is the guardian of quality and, by extension, of trust, safety and compliance. Our responsibilities go beyond technical knowledge of pharmaceutical regulations. Being part of QA requires a strong ethical foundation, a high level of accountability and the ability to balance company expectations with regulatory demands. This means not only mastering guidelines and procedures, but also demonstrating determination, adaptability, problem-solving skills and, above all, a deep sense of integrity. These values are deeply ingrained in our team. Alongside our professional skills, we bring empathy, kindness and a collaborative spirit – qualities that enhance both our work environment and the outcomes we deliver. In addition, many women on our team, like those balancing family responsibilities, often exhibit strong organisational and problem-solving abilities. This commitment should not be underestimated. While finding a balance between private and professional life is important, achieving it is not always easy.” Other members of the team then joined the conversation. Have you faced any obstacles within the pharmaceutical industry that were directly related to being a woman? Alessia: I wouldn’t say the obstacles in the pharmaceutical industry are fundamentally different from those in other fields. The challenges stem more from outdated mentalities although, fortunately, these are fading, even if slowly. In my experience, I’ve encountered situations that would never happen to a man, especially in certain international contexts. For example, I’ve been expected to remain silent in meetings or faced inappropriate interview questions about my private life – children, family or time management – topics irrelevant to professional competence. One extreme case: during an interview process, the CEO of a company saw me in the hallway and asked if I’d like to go out with his son! That said, in my current workplace, I’ve never felt a gender gap. I’ve been valued for my contributions, not my identity, and even during sensitive periods like pregnancy, I received unwavering support. This proves that fair, inclusive environments are possible when there’s genuine commitment. Change isn’t just desirable – it’s achievable. Still, it’s undeniable that women often face a rockier path to authority. We’re held to impossible standards. Assertiveness brands us as ‘aggressive’, politeness as ‘too soft’, raising our voice as ‘hysterical’ and listening as ‘weak’. Every nuance of our behavior is scrutinised through distorting lenses. Qualities like empathy, mediation skills and systemic thinking – clear strengths – are rarely recognised as leadership traits and even when they are, women’s career progression tends to lag behind equally-skilled male counterparts. The gender disparity in top roles speaks for itself. The real breakthrough will come when we stop measuring value against outdated models and start appreciating diverse, equally valid forms of leadership and expertise. Paola: Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work in companies where I never perceived differences in treatment or consideration based on gender. I’ve spent my entire professional life in quality roles, both in Quality Control (QC) and QA, within diverse teams of men and women. In every position I’ve held, I’ve never felt disadvantaged compared to male colleagues. 27 CHEMICALS KNOWLEDGE HUB Issue 1 / July 2025
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjY2OTA4MA==