Working at Hikma. Meet Anas Younues
Discover what it’s like to work at Hikma through our employee testimonials
1. What is your name, role, and location?
My name is Anas Younes. I'm a scientist on the formulation development team at Hikma's Sahab R&D site in Jordan.
2. Could you tell us about your day-to-day activities?
As a scientist in the R&D department working on potent and oncology medicines, my day usually starts in the lab, where I focus on developing and improving drug formulations - basically figuring out the best way to formulate ingredients so the medicine is safe, effective, and stable. Since these medicines are often used in cancer treatment, my work is performed in special labs with strict safety measures to protect myself and others.
We spend a good amount of time running experiments, testing how the drug behaves under different conditions, and making adjustments to improve it. We also document everything carefully, from how the drug is made to how it performs, because this information is needed for quality checks and regulatory approvals.
In addition, we represent Hikma technical team in responding to authority requirements and support Hikma manufacturing departments in launching new products & troubleshooting whenever needed.
There’s also continuous learning involved, whether it’s keeping up with new scientific methods or understanding changes in health regulations. It’s a role that blends hands-on lab work with teamwork and problem-solving, all aimed at bringing important medicines to patients safely and efficiently.
3. What are the key challenges and opportunities in your role?
As an R&D person, challenges are part of our daily activities. One of the biggest challenges is working with highly potent and hazardous compounds, which require strict safety protocols and specialised equipment. Another challenge is the complexity of oncology drugs themselves. These medicines often have unique stability issues or require precise delivery methods, so developing a reliable formulation can take a lot of trial and error. In addition, R&D professionals must be alert, analytical and always focused on small details - whether protecting themselves from product or carefully observing every aspect of a trial or batch. Missing even a small detail can impact both safety and the success of the formulation. Being alert helps maximise the value of each experiment and ensures nothing important is missed.
These challenges create opportunities for continuous learning and skill development, opening pathways for career growth in this field.
4. How would you describe working at Hikma?
Working at Hikma is rewarding. It’s a place where science meets purpose, every project we work on has the potential to improve or even save lives. The environment encourages innovation, continuous learning, and collaboration across departments and global teams.