We're sad to announce the passing of longtime CASSS member and volunteer Bruce Meiklejohn, PhD who passed away on June 23 at age 64.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Meiklejohn, his children Amanda (Will) and Kyle (Michelle) as well as his siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Career
Born in Colorado, Bruce graduated from Colorado State University with a chemistry and biology degree. He received a Master of Sciences in chemistry from the University of Arizona before returning to Colorado State University achieving a PhD in analytical chemistry. Bruce devoted his working life to biopharmaceutical product development and regulatory affairs. He lived in Indiana before relocating to Seattle to serve as Vice President CMC & Distinguished Research Fellow at Omeros Corporation. Bruce was also a consultant in biotechnology at Meiklejohn Consulting LLC.
Prior to Omeros, Bruce had a storied career at Eli Lilly and Company where he played a central role in the approval of many blockbuster drugs that bettered the lives of millions of patients. He supported the biopharmaceutical portfolio, including clinical trials and market registrations. He helped develop global regulatory strategy for biotech products, devices, drugs/device combination products, line extensions, monographs in collaboration with other regulatory, development, and project personnel. He provided regulatory CMC strategy and guidance to teams on CMC issues. He also led the biopharmaceutical division for eight years and conducted GMP audits.
Impact at CASSS
Bruce participated in CASSS for many years, including as a frequent speaker at the Bioassays Symposium, an attendee of the CMC Strategy Forum North America and WCBP Symposium, and a member of the Biotech Working Group.
Image: Bruce Meiklejohn wearing a vampire cape as a costume for Halloween during the 2011 Bioassays Symposium.
Here are a few memories from the CASSS Community:
J.R. Dobbins, Eli Lilly and Company
With the passing of Bruce Meiklejohn, the global community lost a wonderful individual. although the world is in a much better place today, tomorrow, and forever because of Bruce! He tirelessly strove in all he did to advance the scientific community’s ability to speed therapies to patients globally through excellence in his pharmaceutical workplaces and countless contributions during his many years of involvement with CASSS delivering on the mission of advancing biopharmaceutical development. He did so by leveraging deep technical knowledge and uncanny wit to push individuals and organizations to focus on the science, follow the data and most importantly aways do what is right for the patient. Bruce also had a passion and innate ability to mentor individuals through scientific challenges and life situations always challenging each one of us to be the best we can be. While saddened by the passing of Bruce, we all can stand proud of what he accomplished during his career – now – it is time for those of us impacted by Bruce to carry on with his legacy and continue his battle to advance innovative therapies to patients globally!
Patsy Lewis, Tonix Pharmaceuticals
During my time at Omeros Corporation and after, Bruce was always available to discuss any CMC situation, and connect me to other brilliant scientists within our community. In the spirit of CASSS as a teaching and sharing community, Bruce carried this practice throughout his time with us.
Nadine Ritter, CMC Biotech Experts LLC, Past CASSS President
I first met Bruce decades ago in the marble hallway of the Mayflower Hotel at a WCBP meeting. Someone said something funny, and his laugh was so loud that it stopped me in my tracks. He was sitting with a cluster of his colleagues at what eventually became the de-facto CASSS WBCP Eli Lilly Annual Social Table. Every year, Lilly folks managed to scout and save a perfect hallway table right in the middle of the stream of WCBP attendees so they wouldn’t miss a thing. When I turned, I recognized John Dougherty, already a good friend of mine from the past, who was also at the ‘Lilly Table”. So, I went over to say hello, and got introduced to Bruce ‘Mickle-like-nickle’john as the start of another great CASSS professional and personal friendship. Though for years, even when recently working with him at Omeros, I always had to check 'Meiklejohn’ to confirm I was spelling it right!
Through CASSS, I grew to respect Bruce through his dedicated work on numerous scientific programs and sessions. At our CASSS meetings, I grew to love him through our innumerable after-session conversations on a wide range of subjects. His sense of humor was delightful, and getting a booming laugh (or two, or three) from him was a wonderful goal to achieve every time we talked. After he left Lilly, I was luckily able to interact with Bruce in more than just CASSS activities. We did a few independent consulting assignments together, which was a true joy. His sense of humor served him well in an EU trip when the airline lost his luggage, and he was forced to wear the same shirt to client meetings for a few days. Somehow Bruce made it into a feature, not a flaw! We all eagerly awaited the next day’s story…
Then Bruce went to Omeros in Seattle, where we were able to have even more direct interactions as he led his CMC team there. In a few pre-pandemic site visits, I was able to enjoy the company of Bruce and his CMC team members, then later share dinner with Bruce and his wife Sue. In fact, during my first dinner with them in Seattle, they were so enthusiastic about everything they were discovering in Seattle that it prompted me to binge-watch the entire series of “Frasier” again (I highly recommend it – it has aged well). My last visit to see Bruce at Omeros was during the waning end of the pandemic; folks on site wore masks and kept distances, but Bruce had to participate virtually because he had the sniffles. Though restrictions prohibited a group dinner, Bruce’s team did gift me with a fabulous Seattle gin which has pride of place in my collection (thanks, Patsy Lewis!). Going forward, I shall tap a toast to Bruce with every sip.
Ironically, just a few weeks ago, Bruce called to chat with me about his next plans. We talked (and laughed) for over an hour about careers, families, futures. After many decades of passionate work, he was looking forward to spending much more time with
his family. It was the last time we were to chat, and I am so grateful that we had that chance. I’m forever going to listen for echoes of Bruce’s booming voice coming from the 'Lilly Table' in the Mayflower hallway at the CASSS WCBP meeting.
He was certainly one-of-a-kind, and I am going to miss him.
Legacy
Bruce's quick wit and observations were entertaining to all who knew and loved him. Bruce was a true original and his brilliance, kindness, and humor will be remembered by many.
Whether you knew Bruce for over a decade or this is your first time hearing his name, we would like to take a moment to thank you all for being part of our community. CASSS' mission is to bring together professionals to advance the field of biopharmaceuticals. One of our core values, and the key to our mission, is collaboration by you, our members. The only way we can continue growing our organization and helping you in the field is with your support, participation, and leadership. Grow your network - professionally and personally - in our community.
Please consider contributing to Donate Life America (donatelife.net) in Bruce's memory. You may use DonateForBruce@gmail.com to send a message or share anecdotes about Bruce to his family.
To view Bruce's obituary and add to his Memory Board, click here: