Dr. Sonja Kainz

As a Technology Transfer Project Manager at Opella, I drive the transfer of processes and technologies for OTCs and Food Supplements, from evaluation to execution. My projects span entire production processes, new product launches, and lifecycle remediation across Europe, connecting with CMOs and colleagues to foster seamless collaboration. I ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. My core strength is building and empowering interdisciplinary teams, uniting experts to achieve common goals.

As part of the global organization MSAT Cartridges, I am responsible for the transfer of the production process for biologicals incl. compounding, aseptic filling, visual inspection from research to the commercial manufacturing process. Besides my project management role, I set up qualification and validations strategy documents, prepare manufacturing documents in compliance with regulatory requirements and ensure staff trainings.

Managing technology transfers (Fill&Finish) of sterile drug products (small molecules or biologicals as the active pharmaceutical ingredients) from international partners. Guiding and leading an interdisciplinary team, considering all GMP aspects and ensuring compliance with quality requirements. To provide full visibility, I capture and track all project related topics within systems like MS-Project, internal finance tools and a quality system.

Fachliche und disziplinäre Leitung der Unit Zell- & Molekularbiologie. Effiziente Organisation der Fachaufgaben der Unit. GMP gerechte Methodenentwicklung in der Molekularbiologie, insbesondere ELISA, PCR, SDS PAGE/Western Blot. Prüfung und Einführung neuer Technologien. Vertretung der Laboreinheit bei Behördeninspektionen und Kundenaudits.

Single point of contact for interested parties in the research topic „Clinical transplantation research“ (e.g. non-invasive monitoring) of the Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation Surgery.

“Contribution of cell-cell contacts and cross-talk to cell conversion into cardiomyocytes” Working with amniotic stem cells in co-culture with cardiomyocytes. Demonstrating the influence of cell-cell contacts on differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes.

Organizing and planning projects, leading and supervising the team of five, optimizing output (publications, talks, patents, grants), training and teaching students.

Testing expansion strategies for hematopoietic stem cells for clinical use. Data published in 9 peer-reviewed journals and presented at international congresses.

Isolating, characterising and phenotypic analysis of mesenchymal stem cells

Praktische Arbeit an der medizinische Universität Graz (Inst. für Zellbiologie, Histologie und Embryologie) durchgeführt. Schwerpunkt: Stammzellen aus dem Nabelschnurblut

Studienrichtung Mikrobiologie mit Focus auf Molekularbiologie