Meet the Directors

Andrew Cowen

Andrew is the Chairman of the PE487 Group which is the ultimate owner of the divisions that make up Biopharma Group. Andrew led the purchase of the original freeze dryers division (Biopharma Process Systems) in 2009 when he, and three private shareholders bought the company and started the process of development that has taken Biopharma Group to where it is now. 

Andrew is not a scientist but has applied his experience in a variety of businesses to protein stabilisation and its associated processes, and products. Andrew also chairs an automotive component group and is a director and trustee of a scientific prize fund. 

Outside of his business interests Andrew has a small farm where he runs a flock of sheep.

Dr. Kevin Ward

Biopharma Group’s Director of R&D is globally recognised as a lyophilisation expert. Kevin has been in the field since 1993 and joined Biopharma Group in 2000. He’s been involved numerous academic research projects and, together with his team, has worked on over 4,000 projects for customers worldwide. 

Kevin received his PhD for investigations into the freeze-drying of pharmaceutical formulations and drug/vaccine delivery systems. Prior to joining the team, Kevin worked at Pfizer Central Research and as a Research Fellow in vaccine development at Aston University. 

Dr. Ward is an editor and a contributing author of articles and texts on freeze drying, most recent being the Springer book “Lyophilization of Pharmaceuticals and Biologicals”. He is also in demand as a frequent lecturer to many of the leading regulatory agencies and prominent pharma companies. In his spare time, Kevin is part of a small acapella group, who sing at weddings and charity events, who recently performed a concert for Ukraine and raised more than £3000 for medical supplies.

Dr. Roberto Castangia

With over twenty years of experience spanning biopharma, biotech, and food industries, Roberto leads as Group Sales Director the commercial side of PE487, overseeing the diverse group of companies that fall under the Biopharma Group umbrella to provide innovative solutions for the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Holding a PhD in Chemical Biology, he bridges his scientific background with business experience to develop and execute global strategies, services, and development of new products.

Outside his business interests, Roberto does coaching, sports and enjoys his love for the sea travelling back to Sardinia. 

Andrew Howells

A degree in Electronic Engineering and a commercial MSc led to 20 years as MD of several large organisations, much of it in supplying the food, pharma, and cleanroom sectors with equipment and services. For the last 7 years, Andrew has been as Group Operations Director at Biopharma Group with responsibility for service, R&D, laboratory and GMP operations, as well as the operations of our other acquisitions.

Andrew is a great believer in “get it right first time”. At Biopharma Group, we have the ability to make decisions and act quickly to get things done, do it once and do it right.