Interview with Austin Caudle: Strengthening Collaboration and Innovation in Pharma

The Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) has long played a vital role in connecting professionals across the pharmaceutical industry — advancing quality, innovation, and regulatory collaboration. Recently, Austin Caudle, Vice President of Business Development – Pharmaceutical at SmartSkin Technologies, was nominated to serve on PDA’s 2026 Board of Directors.

We sat down with Austin to discuss his journey with PDA, the association’s impact on the industry, and his perspective on where collaboration and technology innovations are taking pharmaceutical manufacturing next.

How did you feel when you learned you’d been nominated for the PDA Board of Directors?

I received a call from Glenn Wright, President and CEO of PDA, and my first thought was that I was in trouble, like being called into the Principal's office. However, he was calling to inform me of my nomination to the board of directors and needed my acceptance to proceed. I, of course, accepted the nomination.

You’ve been an active PDA member for years — what has this organization meant to you professionally and personally?

I started at Charles River Laboratories in 2004, focusing on their bacterial endotoxin manufacturing division and covering the Southeast US. As a young sales professional, I attended local PDA chapter conferences as an exhibitor. In 2012, I became more involved by joining the membership committee to help recruit new members. This involvement allowed me to network with like-minded professionals in the Southeast. Later, after joining NSF Health Sciences, I began attending national and international events, participating in conference planning committees, presenting, and moderating sessions. PDA significantly enhanced my standing in the pharma industry, transforming my role from a sales or business development person to a respected peer and trusted advisor. I found myself preferring to attend conference sessions rather than waiting at a booth for business, as my relationships became less transactional and more focused on collaborative problem-solving through innovation and technology. I consider many of my PDA colleagues as friends and enjoy working with them through committees and boards.

How have your experiences with the PDA Southeast Chapter and the Regulatory and Quality Advisory Board shaped your perspective on the organization’s mission?

My involvement with the PDA Southeast Chapter was crucial for my career in the pharmaceutical industry and led to greater responsibilities within the PDA including serving as Southeast Chapter President. This work, combined with my participation in PDA national and international events, supported my nomination to the RAQAB in 2023. PDA's mission is to connect people, science, and regulation to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing science and regulation, ultimately benefiting patients. I see the organization as a vital educational hub, offering technical resources and guidance on regulatory and Quality policies that directly impact human health.

From your viewpoint, what role does PDA play in advancing innovation and quality across the pharmaceutical industry?

PDA significantly drives innovation and quality within the pharmaceutical industry. As a member-driven organization, it fosters voluntary collaboration among hundreds of global companies. This collective knowledge, encompassing experience, ideas, technology, and leadership, is leveraged to shape policy and develop forward-thinking visions, ultimately leading to new therapies for patients. Furthermore, PDA actively partners with international regulatory agencies such as WHO, PIC/S, and ICH.

Collaboration between manufacturers, suppliers, and regulators is central to PDA’s success. How do you see that collaboration evolving in the coming years?

As a leader within PDA, particularly at conferences and tradeshows that bring together manufacturers, suppliers, and regulators, I've seen firsthand that a delicate balance among these groups is crucial for success. I often compare it to a four-legged barstool: if one leg is missing or weak, the stool will topple. My experience demonstrates the necessity of financial backing from suppliers, attendance from manufacturing (including CMOs, CDMOs, pharma, and biotech companies), and regulatory participation. Equally vital is a robust agenda featuring prominent speakers, deep subject matter expertise, and topics that are both relevant and timely. The continued success of PDA hinges on maintaining this essential balance. This becomes even more critical as technological and therapeutic advancements increase in complexity, and as the industry increasingly embraces digitalization and smart manufacturing.

Much of your work focuses on technology, process improvement, and quality assurance. How do these experiences influence your outlook on PDA’s strategic priorities?

The PDA Strategic Plan focuses on four key areas: people, science, regulation, and leadership and management. The Strategic Planning Committee and Board of Directors have clearly defined how PDA will serve its members within each area. A core principle of PDA's recent strategic plan is its commitment to being a change agent and leader in adopting new technologies and concepts in pharmaceutical manufacturing. This commitment is highlighted by the October 2025 release of PDA's first Manufacturing Technology Guide, specifically "Manufacturing Technology Guide No. 1: Aseptic Filling, Engineering and Operation." This comprehensive guide offers crucial insights for selecting appropriate filler technology and integrating filling systems into broader aseptic operations. As the industry continues to innovate in filling technology—aiming for enhanced precision, increased throughput, reduced interventions, and improved sterility assurance—this guide will be an indispensable resource for future design projects. These objectives, and in particular, the new Guide No.1, are well-aligned with SmartSkin's mission to introduce and implement smart manufacturing technologies in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

How do you hope to contribute to PDA’s ongoing mission if elected to the Board?

My career has largely focused on integrating new technologies into the pharmaceutical industry to enhance quality and accelerate patient therapies. I've been involved in introducing rapid endotoxin (BET) cartridge technology as a process analytical technology (PAT) initiative, assisting with the adoption of SaaS tools for regulatory guidance and compliance, and currently, I'm working with pharmaceutical organizations to implement smart technologies to boost throughput, reduce downtime, improve quality, and expedite therapy delivery. If elected, I plan to utilize my expertise, leadership, and passion to further PDA’s strategic goals and promote the adoption of innovative technologies and approaches. My objective is to help cultivate a more efficient, compliant, and progressive industry, ensuring PDA remains a leader in shaping the future of healthcare.

For members who might not always participate in elections, why do you think it’s important to take part this year?

As part of the current election, I've been engaging with members to emphasize the importance of voting. I've also spoken with many conference attendees who, despite participating in events, are not PDA members. During these conversations, I encourage non-members to join so they can vote and access all of PDA's resources, including technical reports. It's important to remember that only members are eligible to vote.

Finally, what excites you most about the future of PDA and the pharmaceutical community it serves?

What excites me most about the future of PDA and the pharmaceutical community is our upcoming 80th anniversary in 2026. The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing rapid innovation and change, and PDA is at the forefront, dedicated to better serving its members and patients. Strong leadership is essential to navigate critical decisions related to innovation, the impacts of geopolitics, trade decisions, supply chain challenges, and ensuring the availability of effective medicines for patients. I am enthusiastic about being a part of PDA's future as we continue to lead and adapt.