Medicon Valley Alliance and Smithers would like to welcome you to a Good Morning Meeting 22nd of September 2026.
As drug delivery devices evolve and testing expectations continue to change, selecting the right testing strategy is essential. Join Smithers for a morning of expert insights into the latest developments in drug delivery device and container testing.
Learn practical approaches to design verification testing and test method validation, recent updates to ISO and USP standards, and how temperature can influence plunger stopper movement and device performance.
The meeting will be moderated by Brian DeRhen.
Date: Tuesday 22nd of September 2026
Time: 8:30 – 11:00
Venue: Medicon Valley Alliance, Arne Jacobsens Allé 15, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark – Hub 2
Program
| 8:30 | Networking, registration and light breakfast |
| 9:00 | Welcome and introduction to Medicon Valley Alliance David Munis Zepernick, Director, Member Engagement & Communication, Medicon Valley Alliance |
| 9:05 | Design Verification Testing and Test Method Validation Sarah Morton, Senior Project Manager, Smithers Charlotte Utting, Laboratory Supervisor, Smithers |
| 9:35 | Navigating Recent Updates in Testing Standards Sarah Morton, Senior Project Manager, Smithers |
| 10:05 | Plunger Stopper Movement Testing: Temperature Effects and Performance Considerations Charlotte Utting, Laboratory Supervisor, Smithers |
| 10:30 | Questions & Networking |
| 11:00 | End of Good Morning Meeting |
Speakers
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Brian DeRhen, Business Development Manager
Brian DeRhen is a Business Development Manager with Smithers, looking after the Nordic region along with Ireland, where he is based. Brian is a key contact for medical device and pharmaceutical companies with an interest in expert-quality E&L testing, medical and combination device functional testing, packaging testing, and materials testing. He has 7+ years of experience in account management for CROs serving MedTech and pharma companies. |
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Sarah Morton, Senior Project Manager
Sarah Morton is a Senior Project Manager within Smithers Medical Device Testing division, specialising in drug delivery devices and combination products. With over eight years of experience, she has extensive expertise in managing complex testing programs for pre-filled syringes, autoinjectors, pen injectors, and other injectable drug delivery systems. Sarah works closely with pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to support product development, design verification, and regulatory submissions. Her experience spans a broad range of physical, functional, and performance testing in accordance with international standards including ISO 11608, ISO 11040, ISO 80369, USP, and other industry guidance documents. |
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Charlotte Utting, Laboratory Supervisor
Charlotte Utting is a Laboratory Supervisor within Smithers Medical Device Testing division with seven years of experience in medical device testing, specialising in the physical and functional evaluation of drug delivery and combination products. In her current role, Charlotte leads laboratory testing activities while supporting the development and execution of complex test programmes for medical device manufacturers. She holds an MSc in Healthcare Technology and as part of her postgraduate research, Charlotte developed a novel technique for assessing plunger stopper movement at refrigerated and frozen temperatures, contributing to a greater understanding of temperature-related effects on syringe performance and drug delivery reliability. |
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