Ascend Gene & Cell Therapies, a specialist company innovating manufacturing processes to improve quality, potency, safety, and cost enabling better reach for gene therapy technologies, launched as a facilitator for gene therapy companies to help translate product ideas into viable clinical programs.

Ascend offers process development, clinical manufacturing, and analytical and regulatory support for biotech companies working in advanced modalities requiring flexible CMC services.
Originally founded by Monograph Capital, Ascend has raised a total of $132.5 million, most recently completing a Series A fundraise led by Abingworth and Petrichor, supported by DCVC Bio, 4BIO Capital, Cathay Health, Deerfield Management, Digitalis Ventures, and Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

The fundraising has enabled the acquisition of CMC capabilities and technologies from Freeline Therapeutics and provides operational runway to build the business.

Initially focused on high-quality adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, Ascend brings together a team of approximately 120 cross-functional experts who have already developed processes for a number of AAV products currently under clinical development.

Operating from an evolving technology base which uses a split two-plasmid transfection system for AAV manufacture and broad suite of assays, Ascend has an established global footprint created by acquiring and merging experienced teams across three countries and two continents.

Mike Stella, CEO of Ascend, said, “Ascend is a service provider for biotechnology companies, created by bringing together expert teams with regulatory sophistication who have ‘been-there-done-that’ and who understand that the quality and potency of product is just as important as yield. We believe that creating a therapy that changes lives means improving on what’s come before. We are excited to bring a new approach to the space and thank all our investors for their support. We will continue to refine and flex our model, staying adaptable to meet the needs of the market.”