Ins & Outs: Forge, Veranova, Cellipont announce C-suite rejigs

Forge Biologics, part of Ajinomoto Biopharma Services group since 2023, has appointed its chief commercial officer (CCO) John Maslowski as its CEO and president. Maslowski succeeded Timothy Miller, who has been at the helm of the firm since its inception in 2020.

During his tenure, Miller raised $330 million in funding, expanding the Ohio-based CDMO’s footprint over 200,000 square-foot.

“I am immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished at Forge. From our first raise in 2020, when the company was just beginning, to looking into 2025 as a leading genetic medicine manufacturing engine, it’s been a remarkable journey,” said Miller.

Taking the mantle, Maslowski, who will also join as a member of the board, has over 25 years of experience. He joined Forge in 2021 as the CCO and has overseen the firm’s commercial operations. Prior to that, he served as the CEO for Castle Creek Biosciences and Fibrocell Science.

“I am honored to lead Forge’s talented team as we continue our important work – enabling access to gene therapies for our clients and the patient communities we serve. It’s an exciting time at Forge,” Maslowski said. “Our team is not only growing, but we’re expanding our technologies and enhancing operational efficiencies to ensure we continue delivering on the remarkable innovations emerging from our industry.”

Veranova

CDMO Veranova has expanded its advisory board, welcoming Rajni Aneja and Bradley Pentelute. According to the firm, the six-member board was established in October 2023 to strategize and offer scientific insights.

With over a decade of experience, Aneja previously served as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow in 2023. She has held leadership positions at companies including Novartis, Sanofi, Cathay Innovation, and Phorum.AI.

Meanwhile, Pentelute is a professor of chemistry at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) specializing in therapeutic biopolymers such as peptides and oligonucleotides. Additionally, he is an associate member of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, an extramural member of the MIT Koch Cancer Institute, and a member of the Center for Environmental Health Sciences at MIT.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rajni and Brad to our Advisory Board,” said Mike Riley, CEO of Veranova. “Their diverse expertise will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our capabilities and drive innovation in the development and manufacturing of critical life-saving therapies.”

Cellipont Bioservices

Adding to his duties as chairman of the board, Darren Head has taken the reins of Houston, Texas-based Cellipont as its CEO.

“We are excited to have Darren as CEO,” said Noah Rhodes, board member at Cellipont. “His deep familiarity with Cellipont’s business, combined with his track record of success in the cell and gene therapy (CGT) CDMO space, makes him uniquely qualified to lead the company during this exciting period of growth.”

Head will lead the charge towards Cellipont’s next phase of growth, drawing upon over 26 years of industry experience. He has had leadership roles with Bionova Scientific, MaSTherCell, and Cytovance Biologics, with further experience at Cytovance, Immucor, and Aronex Pharmaceuticals.

“I am honored to begin this new role as CEO and build upon the exciting work we’ve already accomplished together,” said Head. “I’m excited to lead our exceptional team as we continue to expand our capabilities, enhance client partnerships, and ultimately help bring life-changing therapies to patients in need."