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The Life Science RundownAuthor: The FDA Group
The Life Science Rundown is a podcast for life science professionals hosted by The FDA Group. We dive deep into topics across the RA/QA/Clinical space, covering news, exploring trends, and picking the brains of expert guests. Language: en Genres: Life Sciences, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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QA Is Not a Gate — It’s a Technical Partner, with Dr. Andrea Bell
Tuesday, 1 September, 2026
How do biotech companies move QA from late-stage gatekeeper into an early, risk-appropriate technical partner? Dr. Andrea Bell, a VP and Global Head of Quality Assurance, breaks down what phase-appropriate quality looks like across the lifecycle and why the barriers to getting there are cultural rather than procedural.Andrea and Nick get into the real cost of late QA involvement, how risk-based rigor differs from uniform rigor, what makes a quality management review actually function, and how QA earns credibility with technical teams.A few of Andrea's key takeaways:Late QA involvement costs money and removes the option to remediate cheaplyMost of the cost of poor quality sits below the waterline in scrap, cycle time, investigations, and reputationEarly means early in the decision forums, not just early in the lifecycleRisk-based rigor isn't looser rigor. Uniform checklists are a weaker position and agencies will challenge themThe barriers to embedding QA earlier are quality culture and reporting structure, not procedureData only makes QA proactive if people are empowered to act on itQA earns credibility by co-authoring the argument you'll make to the regulator, not by signing off at the endAbout Andrea BellAndrea Bell is a Vice President and Global Head of Quality Assurance with more than 25 years in biotechnology building quality and CMC organizations across RNA, biologics, and small molecule programs. She holds a doctorate in global public health, a master's in quality assurance and regulatory affairs, an MBA in international business, and a bachelor's in biology.About The FDA GroupThe FDA Group helps life science organizations rapidly access the industry's best consultants, contractors, and candidates. Our resources assist in every stage of the product lifecycle, from clinical development to commercialization, with a focus on staff augmentation, auditing, remediation, QMS, and other specialized project work in Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, and Clinical Operations. Learn more: https://www.thefdagroup.com/
