Most Admired CEOs 2022: Joerg Ahlgrimm, Center for Breakthrough Medicines

Joerg Ahlgrimm has dedicated his career to the life sciences industry, serving in numerous high-level roles around the globe, including at Lonza AG. The former head of global operations for pharma and biotech at the Swiss-based firm, he was responsible for 37 sites across four continents. Prior to that, he was at Baxalta, where he led the California firm’s manufacturing network that included 17 plants. Today he is CEO of the King of Prussia-based Center for Breakthrough Medicines, which is coming off a robust year of deals. Under Ahlgrimm’s leadership in 2022, the Center for Breakthrough Medicines – which is situated on a 1-million-square-foot former GSK research campus – secured $350 million in equity financing from South Korean firm SK Inc., signed a collaboration agreement with the University of Pennsylvania’s Gene Therapy Program, and entered into a partnership with London-based Achilles Therapeutics.

A distinguishing moment in my time as CEO: Receiving funding to build the company.

A guiding philosophy I lead by: In great organizations people follow because they want to, not because they have to.

Something I do to build high-level trust within my organization: Open communication, provide hope and clarity, and ensure people have fun working hard to achieve ambitious goals.

When faced with a tough business decision, I: Pause, reflect, think through options, ensure stakeholder alignment and execute with clear, transparent communication.

A business leader I admire: Bob Parkinson, CEO of Baxter, led the company through an incredible time, always maintaining high expectations with integrity, culture and performance. He passed away too early.

Something I do for fun: Spending time with my wife and daughter, traveling back to Europe to see family and friends, weightlifting, skiing and reading.

About The Center for Breakthrough Medicines (CBM)

The Center for Breakthrough Medicines (CBM) is a cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) uniquely positioned to enable pharma and biotech companies to develop, test, manufacture and market life-saving therapies and treatments on a global scale. Ideally located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Cellicon Valley, CBM has assembled the most accomplished cell and gene therapy experts in the world, armed with cutting-edge and innovative technologies, to offer scalable, best-in-class pre-clinical through commercial manufacturing capabilities including process development, plasmid DNA, viral vector manufacturing, cell banking, cell processing, and a full suite of complementary and standalone testing and analytical capabilities.

Purpose-built and patient-driven, CBM was designed from the ground up to be a more-effective CDMO; providing single-source, end-to-end solutions to deliver true partnership and unprecedented value to its customers through teamwork, transparency and speed-to-market dedication.

Thank you to all of those who attended the awards ceremony, here are some of our favorite moments from the event!

At CBM, our mission is to save patients lives by accelerating the development and manufacturing of Advanced Therapies. Contact us here to learn more about how we can support your program needs or call us to speak with an expert: 866-274-4009.