Formulation and Device Considerations for Subcutaneous Delivery

Steve Persak is a Director of Device Development at Merck Research Labs. He is responsible for Device Innovation, Device Program Leadership, as well as other technical functions.

Mr. Persak has more than 10 years of experience in the medical device and combination product sector, developing delivery devices for a variety of formulation types and delivery modalities. During his time at Merck, he has supported several programs, including Keytruda®, NuvaRing® and NuvaRing® Applicator, Nasonex®, Asmanex®, Simponi®, Nexplanon®, Implanon®, PegIntron®, and Lusduna®.

By training, he is a Mechanical Engineer and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees The Cooper Union in NY as well as an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.

Will Forrest is a Principal Scientist at Merck Research Labs in the Sterile & Specialty Products division where he is responsible for the formulation and process development of biologic parenteral products, pipeline program leadership and Pharmaceutical Sciences IP lead.

Dr. Forrest has more than 8 years of experience in the drug product formulation/process development and analytical method development fields for a variety of parenteral modalities.

By training, he is a Chemist and holds a B.S. from Furman University, Ph.D. from Purdue University and Post-doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.