Celebrating our Portfolio & People: How Project Management Elevates Customer Experience in Large Molecule Therapeutics

Welcome to the first piece in Celebrating our Portfolio & People series! Each post will shine a light on an Edgewater portfolio company change-maker who is making a positive impact on their organization and beyond.

To highlight the remarkable people who make up the Edgewater family, I’m excited to launch the first installment in this series celebrating our collective impact on the industries Edgewater serves. Our organization takes immense pride in the game-changing contributions our companies and their teams are making in their respective markets.

Today’s spotlight is on Matthew Kuhlmeier, who was recently been promoted to Executive Director of Project Management at Prolytix. Matthew’s career has largely been shaped by his time at Prolytix, and in his newly elevated role he plays an instrumental part in the company’s mission to deliver industry-leading customer experiences, particularly in the development of cutting-edge large molecule therapeutics.

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Prolytix: Dedicated to the Customer Experience

Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Essex Junction, Vermont, Prolytix has established itself as a CRO of repute. Specializing in custom reagents, protein chemistry, and bioanalytical services in support of large molecule therapeutics, the organization offers a vast array of services that span the entire life cycle of drug development.

From early-stage research and development to advanced techniques, Prolytix is a one-stop solution for cutting-edge reagent and bioanalytical services. As the organization continues on this journey of scientific discovery and innovation, they are thrilled to celebrate the promotion of Matthew Kuhlmeier to Executive Director of Project Management — a role that is central to Prolytix’s commitment to delivering an industry-leading customer experience.

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Kuhlmeier’s Journey?

Matthew Kuhlmeier is no stranger to the intricate world of bioanalysis and project management. With nearly two decades of dedicated service at Prolytix, he has been an integral part of the company’s growth story. Under his leadership, the business has doubled its facility’s square footage and implemented cutting-edge IT solutions.

Prior to joining Prolytix, Matthew honed his skills as a laboratory manager at Brigham and Women’s Hospital while also serving in the military — experiences that have imbued him with a unique blend of discipline and innovation:

“Achieving PMP certification was a personal goal and a validation of my knowledge and experience,” he shares. “It culminated in the recognition that we needed to formalize this role to continue delivering an unparalleled customer experience.”

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The Impact of Project Management at Prolytix

In the fast-paced world of CROs and drug development, effective project management is the linchpin that holds various elements, both internally and externally, together. Matthew has been at the forefront of restructuring Prolytix’s project management paradigms, centralizing communication, and synchronizing planning efforts across departments. This centralized approach ensures that both internal teams and external clients are on the same page, enhancing efficiency and minimizing potential bottlenecks. Matthew’s unique, tailored approach to project management focuses on understanding each client’s specific needs, thus rejecting one-size-fits-all solutions in favor of a more customized and responsive framework.

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Communication, Efficiency, Effectiveness: Elevating the Customer Experience

One of the first initiatives Matthew undertook in his new role was to overhaul the operational aspects, including scheduling, supply chain, and cost tracking. By taking these responsibilities off the shoulders of the company’s lead scientists, he has enabled them to direct their focus toward their core competencies — complex scientific research and client engagement.

“My role serves as a catalyst, much like a support role in the military,” Matthew explains. “By managing these critical aspects, I enable our team to concentrate on what they do best — solving complex scientific problems.”

In the realm of novel bioanalytical and custom assay development, timelines are often as crucial as the research itself. Under Matthew’s leadership, Prolytix has nearly eradicated late or missed milestones — a testament to the efficacy of his project management strategies and processes. This timeliness not only satisfies clients, but also enhances Prolytix’s reputation as a reliable partner in scientific endeavors.

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Problem-Solving Prowess

Every scientific project comes with its own set of challenges and complexities. Matthew’s leadership in project management has provided Prolytix’s scientific teams with the necessary breathing room to delve deeper into these issues, particularly in the field of bioanalytical services for large molecule therapeutics.

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Real-Time Communication, a Core in Customer Experience

In a rapidly evolving scientific landscape, scalability is not a luxury but a necessity. Matthew is currently spearheading the development of the PROPath system, a digital project management platform designed to offer real-time updates and comprehensive project overviews, further fostering transparency and trust with Prolytix’s clients.?

“We aim to provide an experience far better than any other CRO,” says Matthew. “It’s about earning and maintaining trust through reliability and transparency.”

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The Educator Within

Matthew’s contributions extend beyond the Prolytix organization itself. As an accountability coach and a board member of his local PMI chapter, he is deeply invested in the larger project management community. His coaching sessions have been highly impactful, helping aspiring project managers to achieve their PMP certification.

“I believe you get out of this world what you put into it,” Matthew suggests. “By helping others, I’m not just teaching but learning as well.”

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Summary

Under the dedicated leadership of Matthew Kuhlmeier, Prolytix is poised for new heights by continuing and enhancing the organization’s focus on customer experience. His approach to project management — marked by efficiency, transparency, and a keen focus on client needs — helps ensure Prolytix is a critical partner in helping our customers in solving the scientific challenges of today and tomorrow.?

Matthew, thank you for all you do! I’m proud that you’re the first in the Edgewater Network in our Celebrating our Portfolio & People Series.

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About Edgewater Capital Partners: At Edgewater Capital Partners, we’ve amassed over two decades of excellence, specializing in targeted investments within the sectors of specialty chemicals, life sciences, advanced materials, and engineered components. Our portfolio companies don’t merely exist in these markets, they strive to revolutionize them. At the strategic level—by offering crucial ingredients, components, or technical services—our companies enable customers to overcome their unique technical challenges. In essence, we’re not just investors; we’re amplifying our solution providers.

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While our portfolio companies’ successes may be evident to those who closely follow Edgewater, the real driving force behind each achievement is our amazing people. United by a shared passion, we’re committed to elevating our companies’ success and fostering innovation across our diverse portfolio. Visit EdgewaterCapital.com.