Anki
The vitamins and supplements business is a very big business. According to some estimates, it will account for about $50 billion in sales this year, the US component of which is currently around $14 billion. This business is also growing. Some estimate it will grow 7 percent annually.
Behind all of those bottles of Vitamin K2 and probiotic supplements lining shelves with name brands like Kirkland Signature and Equate are professionals like Dhyey Bhikadiya, who have expertise in chemical engineering, quality assurance systems, and manufacturing processes.
At 25, he has already built a career on two continents, successfully tackling complex quality issues, optimizing manufacturing processes, and ensuring regulatory compliance for products. And he is eyeing a future in helping pharma companies big and small, while playing a role in shaping policies in the future so that he can help to strengthen regulatory frameworks in the US.
“My passion lies in helping small-scale pharmaceutical companies meet industry standards despite limited resources,” says Dhyey. “I have a sharp attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills, especially in identifying root causes of quality issues,” he adds.
India Born, US Educated
Dhyey was born in India and drawn to the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from PP Savani University, a renowned private university in India, and then continued his studies in the US, where he earned a master’s in pharmaceutical manufacturing from Stevens Institute of Technology, a premier research institute in Hoboken, New Jersey, just over the river from New York. As part of his studies, Dhyey learned about the good manufacturing processes, manufacturing of biopharma products, statistical methods in the life sciences industry, quality assurance, and project management.
Dhyey also immersed himself in the business world while he studied, undertaking several internships in India, one with Godrej Industries Chemicals, a top chemical company, and another at Colourtex Industries, a dye and pigment manufacturer. Dhyey also worked as a production engineer for Elam Pharma and quality engineer for Aditya Birla Chemicals, leading players in the chemical manufacturing market in India. In both roles, he led changes in the firm’s quality system as the company moved to a new business model. There were many moving pieces to the work, as he managed relationships with various players and learned the ins and outs of data analysis too.
“I had to develop technical studies, conduct risk analyses and process mapping, and manage statistical rationales and discrepancy reports, among other documentation,” recalls Dhyey.
The Perfect Place
Dhyey joined Pioneer Life Sciences as a production team member in 2021. Pioneer is a leading nutraceutical and pharmaceutical firm based in East Brunswick, New Jersey, about 35 miles south from Hoboken. In fact, he found himself in the perfect place to pursue his career. New Jersey is a hub for the pharma business. Roche and Sanofi are there, as are Pfizer and J&J.
At Pioneer, Dhyey climbed his way up through roles as Production Team Member, Quality Assurance Specialist I, and finally Quality Assurance Specialist II. “In these positions, I gained extensive experience in quality management systems,” he says. “I resolved manufacturing challenges, and provided solutions to both national and international companies.”
In his roles there, he worked with leading biotech company Gnosis by Lesaffre to manufacture a diverse range of Vitamin K2 products derived from both natural and synthetic sources. At Pioneer, he has also validated the manufacturing process, approved artwork content and guidance provided to the various well-renowned brands for developing high-quality products. Dhyey also played a key role in resolving quality issues in Vitamin K2 dissolution. By using his expertise he enabled the manufacturing of a diverse range of Vitamin K2 products on a large scale.
“These accomplishments have been particularly rewarding as a young quality assurance professional,” says Dhyey. “They have reinforced my commitment to maintaining high industry standards and driving improvement.”
Dhyey has published several papers related to Vitamin K2. One, exploring the dissolution of Vitamin K2 in sunflower oil, appeared in the International Education and Research Journal last year. Another, that concerned calcium regulation and the medical advantages of vitamin K2 was published in the South Eastern European Journal of Public Health also last year.
Dreaming Big
Dhyey is still just getting started in the industry. He wants to work it from both ends, providing strategic solutions that enhance quality standards while ensuring regulatory compliance. As noted, he would like to someday contribute to shaping industry policies, becoming in his words a “key decision maker” in the US Food and Drug Administration.
“In such a way, I can drive impactful changes in quality assurance regulations,” he says.
Another goal that might soon materialize is to join the US’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers. By doing so, Dhyey is looking to enhance his expertise in oncology drug manufacturing. He also enjoys lecturing, so that he can educate the next generation and will continue to publish his research in the future. “I aim to contribute to the scientific community through research publications, and am eager to continue writing more in the future,” he says.
The Article is Written and submitted by Contributor and Journalist, Anki S.