Fixing the weak links in the cell therapy manufacturing chain: processes, people and partnerships

Phil Vanek

is General Manager of GE Healthcare’s Cell and Gene Therapy business strategy, a business initiative funded in part by GE Healthymagination, a $6 billion strategy to revolutionize the world’s health by improving the quality, access and affordability of care. Prior to joining GE, Phil was Head of Business Development for Cell Therapy, and later Head of Innovation for Lonza’s Pharmaceutical division, helping to drive new technology initiatives focused on cell, protein and viral therapeutic manufacturing. Phil’s career has included a number of innovation, business and market development roles at Becton Dickinson, Invitrogen and Life Technologies, as well as two start-up biotechnology companies in the Washington, DC area. Additionally, Phil was an Instructor for Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Programs teaching Biotechnology Marketing for several years while working at BD and Lonza. Phil received his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Georgetown University Medical Center and subsequently held an IRTA fellowship at the National Cancer Institute in the Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and the Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston, South Carolina. Phil is an active board member of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine and the ARM Foundation, as well as the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) in Toronto. Phil has published a number of industry position pieces and serves on the Editorial Board of Cell and Gene Therapy Insights.