City graduate keeps global drug supplies moving
A Sunderland trained entrepreneur is helping keep critical drug supplies going during the pandemic.
As supply chains feel the strain under the coronavirus pandemic, F lori an Hildebrand is helping companies bridge the challenges.
The 30- year-old is the co founder and managing partner of Qualifyze, which uses a global digital network to help pharmaceutical companies manage quality and compliance in their supply chains.
Florian, who graduated from the University of Sunderlandin 2013 with a degree in mechanical engineering, said: “Having up-to-date, quality information on your suppliers is super-critical to provide safe medicines to your patients and it’s regulatory required.
“Historically, companies had to fly around the globe to inspect and audit their supplier facilities, but due to the pandemic this was not possible anymore.
“Byl eve raging global networksand digital technologies, we were able to still perform these critical inspections for those companies by using local resources, removing the need for travel. We would also convertto digital ways of auditing .”
Florian, who is from Germany, has been nominated for a Study UK Alumni Award for his efforts in helping drug supply chains during the corona virus crisis.
Dave Knapton, Principal Lecturer at the University’s School of Engineering, said:
“I recall Florian joined the mechanical engineering programme on a one-year study abroad scheme.
"He enjoyed the programme so much and his time at Sunderland that he stayed with us to finish off his studies rather than return to Germany. It is excellent to see that F lori an is putting his knowledge and experience to good use.”