Ascend Strengthens Operations with Two New Executive Team Hires
Posted: 28 August 2024London, United Kingdom – 28 August 2024 – Ascend Advanced Therapies (Ascend), an end-to-end gene therapy development partner has added new members to the Executive Team. Scott Broughton assumed the role of Chief Commercial Officer in mid-August. Earlier that month, Michael Pinaud joined as Senior Vice President of Business Operations. The hires are both critical to the rapid evolution of Ascend as a leading gene to GMP contract development and manufacturing (CDMO).
Ascend offers specialized gene therapy support for developers at any step of the way in full programs or via standalone services. The team is focused on talent and technologies first, closely followed by a connected global footprint.
Mike Stella, CEO of Ascend explained, “We have built Ascend drawing on experience in early AAV discovery and the evolution of other modalities. To ensure that we meet our goals of unrivalled transparency and collaboration internally and externally, we need the right experienced resources. This is why I am thrilled to bring in two seasoned industry veterans that understand what it takes to Aim Higher for the industry. Scott brings exceptional expertise in outreach, establishment and maintenance of sustainable networks and partnerships that further differentiate us. And Michael ensures that our employees can deliver on our promises via the orchestration, implementation and maintenance of our exceptional operations globally.”
“For many years there has been a common thread to deliver more cost effective and quality drugs to patients,” new CCO, Scott Broughton offered. “It is great to be at Ascend where we can leverage vast expertise that has and will further empower innovators and existing biotech’s who need to validate and commercialize concepts. I see Ascend’s primary focus of being a CMC partner as the key to delivering on the industry’s common goals and building long term relationships.”
“When I started in biotech, I had a CEO tell me that I would never want to leave this field, and I never have. I see great value in helping change patient lives, which translates into a feeling of deep responsibility to always be improving on operational performance,” Michael Pinaud, Senior Vice President of Business Operations said. “There is intrinsic value in what Ascend is bringing to the market, with a truly experienced team. Many resources have been invested into a strong foundation of capabilities and expertise that supports customers from gene to GMP as they look to bring life changing therapies to the clinic.”
Ascend has a global footprint with process development, analytical development, and quality control centred in Munich, Germany. In April of 2024, GMP manufacturing capacity was purchased from Beacon Therapeutics in Alachua, Florida. This facility is in the process of an expansion to become a multi-product commercial-grade facility by 2025. An innovation hub in Alameda, California supports early-stage development and platform optimization.
To stay up to date with Ascend, please visit www.ascend-adv.com, follow us on LinkedIn, or reach out at business@ascend-adv.com.
About Ascend
Ascend Advanced Therapies (Ascend) is a specialist adeno-associated virus (AAV) development partner working to bring next-generation gene therapy products to market. Carrying forward from therapeutic development, Ascend hit the ground running via operational facilities globally. With AAV roots going back to 1991, the experienced team offers unparalleled insight and collaboration when delivering products from gene to GMP. A flexible platform supports all AAV serotypes across scales with proprietary and partnered technologies and a world-class analytical toolkit. GMP manufacturing capacity was added in 2024 via the acquisition of Beacon Therapeutics, enabling the team to Aim Higher in balancing yield and quality of commercially accessible life-saving therapies. Learn more at www.ascend-adv.com.