AAVantgarde Bio Expands Leadership with New Appointment
Milan-based biotechnology firm AAVantgarde Bio recently announced the addition of Lauren Kaskiel, MBA, to their executive team as Chief Business Officer. With over 20 years of extensive experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors, Kaskiel steps into this pivotal role, reporting directly to Dr. Natalia Misciattelli, the company's CEO.
Expertise and Vision
Ms. Kaskiel brings unparalleled expertise in business development from both biotechnology-centric and large pharmaceutical settings. Dr. Misciattelli expressed enthusiasm about bringing Kaskiel on board, stating, "Lauren’s extensive background in establishing successful collaborations will heavily bolster our business development efforts during this critical phase for AAVantgarde." This sentiment reflects the increasing importance of strategic partnerships in advancing their groundbreaking work.
The Future at AAVantgarde
Kaskiel's vision aligns with AAVantgarde's mission of enhancing healthcare outcomes. "I am excited to join AAVantgarde and help the company similarly evaluate their business development strategies while expanding their therapeutic pipeline," she shared. With a strong belief in the innovative potential of AAVantgarde's platforms, Kaskiel views the opportunity as crucial for developing therapies aimed at underserved patient populations.
A Strong Background in Biotech
Before joining AAVantgarde, Lauren Kaskiel served as Chief Business Officer at Code Biotherapeutics, a company known for its unique synthetic delivery platform, 3DNA, which focuses on genetic medicines. There, she played a vital role in overseeing several key areas, including corporate development and alliance management, while driving strategic licenses and collaborations.
Previous Roles and Achievements
Prior to her tenure at Code, Ms. Kaskiel was the Head of Program and Alliance Management at Spark Therapeutics. In this capacity, she facilitated critical engagements with Roche during the acquisition process and forged strategic relationships within the gene therapy space, collaborating with primary industry leaders such as Pfizer and Novartis. Her past experience also includes significant roles at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), where she adeptly managed a portfolio of partnerships across various sectors.
Educational Credentials
Kaskiel's educational accomplishments bolster her extensive experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology with a Minor in Microbiology from Pennsylvania State University, as well as an MBA with a concentration in Marketing from Drexel University. Her academic foundation complements her rich career in the biotechnology realm.
About AAVantgarde Bio
AAVantgarde Bio specializes in developing innovative solutions to overcome the limitations associated with gene therapy delivery. The company has crafted two proprietary Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) vector platforms tailored for large gene delivery. AAVantgarde is currently validating these platforms to treat specific inherited retinal diseases, including a lead program focusing on Usher syndrome type 1B, which is already in clinical evaluation.
Contact Information
For further inquiries, Dr. Magda Blanco serves as the Head of Corporate Development at AAVantgarde. She can be contacted via email at info@aavantgarde.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What position has Lauren Kaskiel been appointed to?
Lauren Kaskiel has been appointed as Chief Business Officer at AAVantgarde Bio.
What prior experience does Lauren Kaskiel have?
She has over 20 years in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, including roles at Code Biotherapeutics and Spark Therapeutics.
What is AAVantgarde’s focus in biotechnology?
AAVantgarde focuses on developing large gene delivery systems using proprietary AAV vector platforms.
What is the pending clinical program at AAVantgarde?
The company is validating its platforms in inherited retinal diseases, with its lead program in Usher syndrome type 1B.
How can someone contact AAVantgarde?
Inquiries can be made through Dr. Magda Blanco at info@aavantgarde.com.
