Ascend Advanced Therapies, an end-to-end gene therapy development partner, has added two new members to its Executive Team. Scott Broughton has assumed the role of Chief Commercial Officer. Michael Pinaud has joined as Senior Vice President of Business Operations.
 
These hires are both critical to the rapid evolution of Ascend as a gene to GMP contract development and manufacturing (CDMO).
  
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.”
 
“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.”
 
This news comes months after Ascend tapped Scott Law as its new Chief Operating Officer.