People spotlight — January 2021

Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio), a clinical-stage adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy company and wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer AG, announced that Katherine High, MD, has joined the company in the newly formed role of President, Therapeutics, and will also serve on its Board of Directors. She will be responsible for driving the strategic direction and execution of the company’s preclinical and clinical programs.

Stefano Console

Spanish contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Idifarma has announced a partnership with Stefano Console from Swiss life sciences consultancy Oriento SA. Bringing over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industry, Console will be Idifarma’s scientific advisor, focusing on spray drying technology and particle engineering.

Aspen Technology, Inc., a company that specializes in asset optimization software, has appointed David Leitham as Senior Vice President and General Manager to lead the company’s pharma industry growth strategy. Leitham has 25 years of experience in the pharma industry.

W.R. Grace & Co. has elected Cherée H. Johnson as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, with responsibility for all legal matters worldwide, including management of Grace’s legal department.

Matthew Tomkinson

Softbox, a provider of temperature-controlled packaging solutions for the pharma, life science and cold chain logistics industries, has appointed Matthew Tomkinson as a Technical Solutions Specialist. Tomkinson will be responsible for supporting the global commercial team through cold chain knowledge, market insights, strategy and advice on cold chain implementation.

Cold Chain Federation has appointed a new Membership Director, Sharon Mughal, who will focus on developing membership recruitment and retention.

Valeo Pharma Inc., a Canadian pharma company, appointed Frederic Fasano to the newly created position of President and Chief Operating Officer, to supplement its senior leadership team and support expansion of Valeo's commercial activities. Fasano has also been elected to the company's Board of Directors.

Circulogene, a molecular diagnostics company, announced that Stephen Unger has joined the company as Chief Financial Officer.

Britton Jimenez

Metrics Contract Services, a full-service contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) in novel oral solid dose products, has appointed Britton Jimenez as Vice President of Business Development. Jimenez is responsible for marketing and sales in an executive leadership capacity to support the growing demand for novel oral solid dosage (OSD) projects that require Metrics’ expertise following expansion investments in Greenville, NC.