2022 Women in Commercial Real Estate: Mugdha Kasarekar, DPS Group

What trends will dominate your industry in the coming months? Cell and gene therapies are exciting areas of drug product development. These technologies have opened avenues for curative treatment of diseases such as cancer, neuromuscular disease, and inherited blindness, to name a few. With over 1200 products in clinical trials, including hundreds in late phase clinical, expect to see many new approvals in the upcoming months in the EU and US. DPS is at the forefront of understanding the manufacturing requirements of these novel therapies and supports the full spectrum of design and construction to aid our clients’ contributions to high-tech industries around the world.

In the past year, what project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of? In my current role at DPS, I have been working on a project that involves becoming immersed in cell therapy research and development, and the design of the clinical manufacturing facility as it relates to multiple laboratories including analytical, microbiology, and process development. I also had the opportunity to learn about various analytical techniques and GMP manufacturing in this project. It is very rewarding to work on such projects that are comprehensive and impactful for future cell therapy research and clinical production.

What advice would you offer to women getting into the CRE industry?

My early interest in engineering began by observing my parents. My father, a chemical engineer, and mother, a chemist, brought science and engineering thinking into everyday life. Whether it was fixing my bike, managing the water tank level for the house, or adding ingredients in the correct order for cooking dinner, I remember being curious and involved. For any woman wanting to enter the industry, I would like to encourage them by telling them that they have been doing it all along - the CRE industry is an extension of your interests and encourages personal and professional growth.