The Discovery Labs has hired former Baxter Healthcare executive Joerg Ahlgrimm to serve as its president and chief operating officer. He will lead the efforts to bring more than 1,700 people — from manufacturing specialists to doctorate-level scientists — to the site.
Based in King of Prussia, at a campus previously occupied by GlaxoSmithKline, Discovery Labs is a holding company that is specializing in cell and gene therapy development and manufacturing services, large-scale testing, and real estate services for the life sciences industry.
Ahlgrimm told the Philadelphia Business Journal what attracted him to the job was the work Discovery Labs plans to do in cell and gene therapy.
“Cell and gene therapy has the potential to cure people,” he said. “Most therapies today are for treating people. … I have a passion for doing good for humanity, and think cell and gene therapy is going to be the next revolution. I’m hopeful we can help bring those cures to the market.”