The 2019 Pharmaceutical Industrial Association (PIA) annual meeting is the only event in Puerto Rico focused on pharmaceutical innovation. This year, under the slogan “Faces of Innovation: Advancing the way Science Cares for Patients”, PIA highlighted the role different faces play in search of innovation: from scientists and engineers who work every day to produce new therapies, and patients who enjoy a better quality of life thanks to innovative medicines. During the event the latest trends were presented, both in the United States and in Puerto Rico of bio-pharmaceutical innovation. In addition, it is always the meeting point to promote the exchange of ideas and best practices among members of the industry. Again, this year PACIV exhibited at PIA and offered freshly brew coffee...

PACIV had sent several associates to attend this year’s Rockwell Automation Fair 2019 held November 20th through the 21st in Chicago.  The Automation Fair provided additional knowledge and skill-building opportunities of the latest Rockwell Automation Technology to all who visited. PACIV Associates pictured from left to right:  Brett Ronczka (PACIV USA – Automation/Validation Engineer I), Ernick Figueroa (PACIV PR – Business Development Leader), Rick Straw (PACIV – President), Taylor Whitaker (PACIV USA – Validation Engineer I), Chris Sormalis (PACIV USA – Business Development Leader), Tim Brant (PACIV USA – Consultant Engineer Associate), Elizabeth Price (PACIV USA – Automation/Validation Engineer I), Eduardo Perez (PACIV USA – Automation Engineer I). Automation Fair® is...

The Wonderware – Application Server 2017 Training, was taken this past August, from the 27th to the 30th, in “Instalaciones de Incentro S.A. “in San Jose, Costa Rica. Update 2 course is a 4-day, instructor-led class designed to provide an overview of the features and functionality of Application Server. This course provides lectures and hands-on labs to supply and reinforce the knowledge necessary to use these features and functions for plant modeling. The class demonstrates how to use Application Server technology to connect to field devices, process data, run scripts, handle alarms, and historize alarms and events. This course also provides a fundamental understanding of application maintenance, real-time alarm recording, and security settings, and describes how to...

The training provided an overview of bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, including an understanding of the biochemistry, cell growth, harvesting and separation, covering both upstream and downstream processes and clean utilities e.g. PUW, WFI and Clean steam.  It also included conventional biotechnology, latest trends in single use technology and future trends in biotechnology. The training also gave practical exposure to ‘mimic’ the standard biopharmaceutical environment, equipment and activities. They also learned about equipment types relevant to bioprocessing and completed some basic practical exercises in terms of plant equipment.Overall this training provided all PACIV engineers and associates with a good understanding of the biopharma manufacturing process,...

Since 1987 there has only been one major modification to the FDA’s Process Validation Guidelines, and that was in January 2011. Still viewed as a relatively “new” approach to Process Validation in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and biosimilar sectors, the fact is that these guidelines are nearing a decade old (!) and I’m not sure how well they’ve been embraced and implemented in our industry? So, what changed between 1987 and 2011? For most of us across the world we’ve seen a massive shift in how we consumed our entertainment and conducted our everyday living. VCRs, cassette tapes, land lines, libraries, etc. all became antiquated due to the advancement of technology and were quickly dominated by new means of consumption by the masses via the internet, smart phones and TVs, tablets...

Recently, some of our PACIV Puerto Rico associates completed the completed the OSHA Construction Safety Training instructed by FC Safety & Health Consulting Group, Inc. in San Juan Puerto Rico. The associates who completed the training were: Maricelys Ayala, Automation/Validation Engineer II; Jose Martinez, Sr. License Electrician; Joshua Valentin and Angel Cruz, both Automation/Validation Engineers I. The OSHA 30-Hour Construction Training is a great method for educating for workers, employers, and supervisors about OSHA safety standards. Likewise, the training included guidelines to recognize, abate, avoid, and prevent safety and health hazards at worksites through record keeping, proper material and machine handling, industrial hygiene, fall protection, and ergonomics. This...

PACIV, a PIA Affiliate Member since 2009, was present at the Pharmaceutical Industry Association (PIA) – Leadership & Innovation Summit held recently last June at La Concha Resort in San Juan. The associates who attended the event were Jean Paul Pepin, Engineering Manager and Aida Ortíz, Automation/Validation Engineer II. Under the “A Hero’s Journey” banner, the event focused on motivating current and upcoming industry leader to get actively involved in situations requiring their leadership. The event was joined by Carlos Cobian, José G. Morales known as “Gabichuela” of the Miranda Casañas Foundation, Ana M. Belaval and Graciela Eleta to discuss various perspectives and experiences to make possible innovation projects. Likewise, Esthers Alegría, PhD in Catalyst Excel &...

Since the company was founded in 1997, PACIV has strived to create a diverse workforce. It did so believing that it’s both the ethical and smart thing to do. The results have been impressive – PACIV has created a workforce with significant levels of diversity from gender, ethnicity and nationality perspectives. In addition, PACIV and its customers have benefited financially as a result. Striving to increase workplace diversity is a good business decision. A 2015 McKinsey report found that those in the top quartile for ethnic and racial diversity in management were 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry mean, and those in the top quartile for gender diversity were 15% more likely to have returns above the industry mean. Our associates from around the world. PACIV’s...

Jorge Rodriguez, CEO, Douglas Garrote, Esq., CFO & VP of Administration and Doug Metrish, Operations Manager, recently attended the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) Executive Conference in Asheville, North Carolina. The 2019 Executive Conference, celebrating its 25th anniversary, offered many presentations that address SI company management, adoption of CSIA Best Practices and emerging opportunities. The annual CSIA Executive Conference offers strong educational programming and the partner industry expo and reception where the showcase of latest products and services from industry suppliers, manufacturers and service provider members takes place. At the conference’s Awards Dinner, PACIV was awarded the 2019 Social Responsibility Award by the Control Systems...

Recently, seven (7) associates from the PACIV Puerto Rico office participated in the 5-day Project Management Professional Course at the Agile Ratio Institute in San Juan, PR. The program is designed to teach how to effectively learn to manage projects, have better project control and differentiate as team leaders, among others. The course covered the knowledge, tools and techniques to successfully manage any demanding project, teach how every process group and knowledge area work together to benefit project control and team management, and share lessons and advice from the field to help identify and avoid pitfalls as well as to increase leadership. Congratulationss are in order to Maricelys Ayala, Liz Figueroa, Bridget Ballista, Aida Ortiz, Miguel Bustelo, Francisco Castillo, and...

Recently, some of our PACIV USA & Puerto Rico associates attended the Rockwell Automation TechED (June 2-7) in Orlando, FL. The associates who attended the event were Giselle Santana, Automation Engineer I, Joel Rodriguez, Automation/Validation Engineer I, (PACIV PR), Curtis McCoy and Lisbeth Del Valle, both Automation/Validation Engineers I, (PACIV USA). The Rockwell Automation TechED (formerly RSTechED) provides the industry’s only multi-day venue offering unique ways of learning, exploring and discovering techniques for creating innovating, high-performance manufacturing and production applications. Designed for end users, system integrators, distributors, partners and machine builders, Rockwell Automation TechED gives you the chance to work with the latest...

PACIV was awarded the 2019 Social Responsibility Award by the Control Systems Integrators Association (CSIA). This award recognized the work done by PACIV during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Each year, the CSIA recognizes a member that has achieved extraordinary results in corporate social responsibility and sustainability programs. The Award winner is recognized during the Awards Dinner at their annual Executive Conference. The PACIV Foundation pledged $1M, converting its engineering offices in San Juan to a Command Center, and assigning its staff, volunteers and vehicle fleet towards island recovery efforts. The result of the “Diego’s Relief Project”, called as such in honor of the very first patient, an 8 year old whose life was saved by being transported...