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Meet Angelo Filosa, a grad whose company provides COVID-19 test kits and research solutions

‘The most valuable lesson we can learn is to trust and rely on science’
May 8, 2020
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By Ian Harrison, BComm 01


PerkinElmer works with scientists, researchers and clinicians to address critical challenges across science and health care.

Of all the graduates profiled for Concordia’s community vs. COVID-19 series, Angelo Filosa, BSc 96 (analytical chemistry), PhD 01 (chemistry), has one of the most intriguing stories.

The double alum excelled in the classroom and on the gridiron as a standout member of Stingers football. Filosa earned Academic All-Canadian honours twice for his efforts, in 1994-95 and 1995-96.

After Concordia, the Montreal native went on to forge a successful career as a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry at the likes of AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Boehringer Ingelheim.

Filosa now works at PerkinElmer, a global company that has proven instrumental in the fight to stem the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

Can you describe PerkinElmer’s business and outline the parameters of your role?

Angelo Filosa, BSc 96, PhD 01

Angelo Filosa: With about 13,000 employees worldwide, PerkinElmer works with scientists, researchers and clinicians to address critical challenges across science and health care. We deliver unique testing and analysis solutions to serve the diagnostics, life sciences, food, industrial and environmental markets.

I work in the OneSource Lab services part of PerkinElmer’s business. It helps labs around the globe with regulatory compliance, IT, lab relocation and scientific staffing. 

Specifically, I’m the Portfolio Director accountable for the strategy and growth of the OneSource Professional Services business.

My team and I create the go-to-market strategy for sales and marketing while also supporting the innovation of new service offerings.

Can you describe the company’s efforts related to COVID-19?

AF: Every day at PerkinElmer we’re working closely with our global customers — including testing labs, clinics, hospitals, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical labs, academia and governmental and research institutes — to help combat the pandemic.

We do this by providing diagnostic and discovery technologies, software and services. This includes FDA-approved Emergency Use Authorization test kits, automating sample testing via robotic platforms and helping pharmaceutical labs study the efficacy, quality and safety of new drugs and vaccines, or existing drugs that may be candidates for repurposing.

We also have a solution to help production labs determine the ethanol and isopropanol content of hand sanitizers in accordance with World Health Organization and FDA-approved formulations.

Finally, our community commitment is strong, with more than $1-million worth of PerkinElmer test kits and instruments donated to critical locations around the world.

How has your academic background and professional experience shaped your view of the pandemic?

My background and experience in the science and life sciences field has allowed me to look at the situation and evaluate the data in a more informed way. I think the most valuable lesson we can learn is to trust and rely on science and the people working hard to help care for us and develop new health innovations.

As a double grad and former Stingers football player, what do you most fondly recall about your time at Concordia?

In 1993, we reached the national semi-finals and faced the University of Toronto in the Churchill Bowl. We lost, but I remember my chemistry professors being very accommodating about my schoolwork during that playoff run. Balancing varsity sports and academics helped me become really good at prioritizing, which is a great life skill.

My graduate studies under Dr. Ann English also helped me start my career. One highlight that stands out is the Chemistry and Biochemistry Graduate Research Conference, which I established with other grad students to showcase ourselves to industry. The conference still runs today, after 22 years!

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the well-being of our students — many of whom can no longer afford basic necessities such as rent and groceries. If you can, please consider making a donation.

And if you’re participating in COVID-19 community projects, don’t forget to tell us: socialmedia.alumni@concordia.ca



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