We are delighted to welcome Dilyana to the Fusion Pharma team as our newest Regulatory Affairs Consultant.
Dilyana joins us with extensive experience gained across both the MHRA and the pharmaceutical industry, bringing valuable insight into the regulatory challenges involved in developing and licensing medicines. Her expertise and collaborative approach make her a fantastic addition to the team.
We asked Dilyana to share more about her career journey, what inspired her to pursue a career in regulatory affairs, and what led her to join Fusion Pharma.
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to “work with medicines”. I would mix different herbs and pretend they could treat diseases, inspired by my grandfather’s keen interest in herbal medicine. However, pharmacy did not appeal to me at the time, as I perceived it to be like working in a shop.
My chemistry teacher encouraged me to study chemistry at university, highlighting the wide range of potential career paths it could offer. I am very glad that I followed that advice. In the final year of my chemistry degree, I realised that I was particularly drawn to organic and medicinal chemistry, which led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Science.
Shortly after completing my MSc, while working as a dispenser in a pharmacy, I received an email from an agency asking whether I would be interested in joining the MHRA on a temporary basis for three months. At the time, I had no idea about Regulatory Affairs but knew the MHRA from the British Pharmacopoeia and was very excited about this opportunity. The job description of “preparing high quality scientific cases” sounded appealing and I said yes! Those initial months eventually turned into seven years in permanent roles across several departments.
Following the initial contract, I secured a permanent position and formed many long‑lasting and meaningful professional relationships. I later transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry after a former MHRA colleague approached me regarding an opportunity within the company where she worked.
Since then, I have worked across the full lifecycle of medicinal products, including clinical trials, marketing authorisation transfers, Paediatric Investigation Plans (PIPs), initial marketing authorisation applications, and post‑approval variations, across a range of therapeutic areas. I have had the opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects, both within the MHRA and in industry, and I genuinely enjoy the work that I do. Mondays feel exciting and full of anticipation for what lies ahead.
Working in both a regulatory authority and the pharmaceutical industry has given me a unique perspective on the full regulatory lifecycle and what it takes to bring therapies to patients. Joining Fusion Pharma represents the next step in my regulatory journey, where I can lead complex projects, contribute to client success, and support one of the most challenging aspects of drug development – navigating licensing pathways within an ever‑changing regulatory landscape.
I am truly excited to be part of the Fusion Pharma team and its meaningful mission to support, develop, and educate the next generation of the pharmaceutical industry.
Dilyana Tosheva
