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ISCT Announces Dr. Phil Vanek as next Chief Commercialization Officer

  

January 29, 2025 – The International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) is delighted to announce the appointment of Phil Vanek, PhD, as the new ISCT Chief Commercialization Officer (CCO), effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.

Dr. Vanek is an internationally recognized leader in biotechnology with over 30 years of experience driving innovation, commercialization, and strategic growth in the life sciences. His impressive career spans leadership roles at Gamma Biosciences, GE Healthcare, Lonza Bioscience, and BD Biosciences, where he has played pivotal roles in advancing the development and implementation of transformative technologies within the cell and gene therapy (CGT) sector. Dr. Vanek’s entrepreneurial mindset, technical expertise, and multidisciplinary leadership have positioned him as a leading authority in the global biotechnology community.

As ISCT Chief Commercialization Officer, Dr. Vanek will act as the leadership voice for the ISCT Industry Community, representing the Society’s Industry pillar. He will collaborate closely with ISCT Leadership and the Head Office to develop and implement a visibility and growth strategy for the Industry Community, ensuring that ISCT maintains its position as a driving force in the cell and gene therapy sector. Dr. Vanek will align the initiatives of the nine Industry Committees with the overarching goals of the ISCT Strategic Plan and the annual priorities set by the Board of Directors. Dr. Vanek’s insights and contributions will play a crucial role in shaping the Society’s strategic direction as it continues to advance its mission of translating promising research into clinical and commercial applications. He will also serve as the representative of the industry pillar on the ISCT Board of Directors, ensuring the strategic growth of the Society.

As a longstanding member of ISCT, Dr. Vanek has significantly contributed to the Society over the years. He is currently a member of the ISCT Global Industry and Business Development and Finance Committee. Dr. Vanek has been a strong voice in the Society’s flagship programs, through leadership in its Annual Meetings. He was co-chair of ISCT 2023 Paris, the first Society Annual Meeting in Europe post-COVID. In 2024, Phil helped spearhead the development of the roundtable program at the ISCT Annual Meeting in Vancouver.  

Beyond his involvement within the Society, Dr. Vanek's voluntary and advisory roles across the sector have meant that he is a bridge between organizations, helping to further the spirit of collaboration that characterizes the ISCT approach to building consensus in clinical translation across cell and gene therapies. 

Commenting on the appointment, Miguel Forte, MD, PhD, ISCT President, said: “Phil Vanek’s appointment as Chief Commercialization Officer represents a significant step for ISCT. His proven ability to bridge the gap between innovation and commercialization will be instrumental in driving the Society’s Industry pillar and ensuring our continued leadership in the cell and gene therapy space. We are thrilled to have him join our leadership team.”

ISCT welcomes Dr. Vanek to his new role as Chief Commercialization Officer and looks forward to his leadership and contributions as the Society continues to lead the global CGT community.


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