#USA #Rockville #Ascend #John Chiminski #Karen Flynn

Ascend Advanced Therapies Welcomes New Leadership

Ascend Advanced Therapies has recently taken a significant step in enhancing its governance by announcing the appointment of John Chiminski as Chair and Karen Flynn as Independent Director. This strategic move aims to bolster the company’s growth as it continues to expand its capabilities in the advanced therapies sector.

Leadership Experience and Vision

John Chiminski brings over 30 years of extensive experience in the healthcare and pharmaceutical services sectors. He served as the CEO of Catalent from 2009 to 2015, leading the company during a pivotal transition period and continuing as its Executive Chairman until June 2023. Under his innovative leadership, Catalent evolved into a global leader in the Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) space, significantly enhancing its offerings and impact on pharmaceutical and biotechnology product development.

Chiminski is eager to contribute to Ascend’s growth. He states, "Ascend is at a crucial moment in its journey, and I am excited to support the team in building a world-class gene therapy CDMO. With the proper strategy, investment, and operational excellence, Ascend is well-positioned to be a key partner in advanced therapies."

In contrast, Karen Flynn brings a wealth of commercial and operational expertise to the board, with a career that includes her recent role as interim president of BioModalities at Catalent. Flynn has held numerous leadership positions, including Senior Vice President and Commercial Director at West Pharmaceutical Services. Her extensive experience in biomanufacturing complements her vision for Ascend's development in the competitive biotech landscape.

Flynn highlighted, "With the addition of ABL, Inc. in late 2024 and the investment from EW Healthcare Partners, Ascend is poised to support gene therapy clients, including those in oncology, vaccines, and immunotherapy, at every stage of development through to filling and finishing. Our quality management systems in Munich and Florida enhance our offering, establishing a world-class operation committed to long-term client success."

Ascend's Strategic Direction

The appointments of Chiminski and Flynn signal Ascend's ambition to further develop its capabilities in gene therapy manufacturing and enhance its global standing in the biotech market. Mike Stella, the CEO of Ascend, expressed confidence in the new board members, remarking, "John and Karen bring tremendous leadership, strategic insight, and industry knowledge that will help shape our future. Their guidance will be crucial as we continue to manufacture advanced therapies and aggressively expand our capabilities."

With an emphasis on the development and manufacture of high-quality, cost-effective gene therapies, Ascend has positioned itself as a key player in the contract development and manufacturing sector. Following its partnership with EW Healthcare Partners, which included the integration of ABL, Inc., Ascend is actively enhancing its commercial manufacturing capabilities, process development, and analytics across various facilities in the U.S. and Europe.

A Commitment to Excellence

Ascend Advanced Therapies stands out by adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) while providing a versatile platform for genetic therapies, oncolytics, vaccines, and immunotherapies. Their collaborative approach aims to guide clients from clinical trials to market launch, balancing performance, quality, and cost effectively.

As Ascend moves forward with its strategic objectives under the fresh leadership of Chiminski and Flynn, the company invites stakeholders to join them in this exciting journey. For more information about Ascend's offerings and initiatives, interested parties can visit their website at www.ascend-adv.com or connect on LinkedIn.

Utilizing strong roots in therapeutic development and an understanding of quality control, Ascend aims to redefine the standards of excellence in advanced therapy manufacturing, ensuring that it remains a leader in the industry for years to come.