Taligen Therapeutics CEO Abbie Celniker Appointed to Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Board of Directors
Dr. Celniker has more than 20 years of experience in building biologics-focused businesses. Prior to joining Taligen, Dr. Celniker was Global Head of Biologics at Novartis. In this role, she built and managed the basic infrastructure and strategy for the late-stage discovery and development of protein therapeutics at Novartis. Previously, she held senior research and development position leadership roles with Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth BioPharma (Genetics Institute) and Genentech. Dr. Celniker holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Arizona and a B.A. in biology from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Celniker is currently serving as co-chair of the Massachusetts Biomanufacturing Roundtable, an initiative of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Collaborative.
“Dr. Celniker is a leader within our life sciences community, and will be a terrific addition to the Life Sciences Center’s Board of Directors.” said Governor Patrick. “She has been a great partner in our efforts to expand biomanufacturing in the Commonwealth, and I will be counting on her to help guide the Center’s investment decisions as we continue the successful implementation of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Act.”
“We are so pleased to welcome Dr. Celniker as the newest member of our Board of Directors,” said Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “The Board is the arbiter of all of our major investment decisions, and it is vital that we have expertise like Dr. Celniker’s to direct those investments. Dr. Celniker’s diverse experience in both the large pharma and early-stage biotech spaces will bring a critical perspective to the Board as the Center works to support all of the life sciences sectors in the Commonwealth.”
“It is my great honor to serve the Patrick-Murray Administration and the Commonwealth in this capacity,” said Celniker. “The Life Sciences Center has generated great returns for the state through smart, strategic investments and I am eager to join this critical Initiative as a strong voice for both the public and industry. “
Dr. Celniker will fill the seventh seat on the Board, a seat that became available upon former ViaCell President & CEO Marc Beer’s completion of his term. The other Board members are Jay Gonzalez; , Secretary of Administration & Finance; Gregory Bialecki, Secretary of Housing & Economic Development; Jack Wilson, Ph.D., President of the University of Massachusetts; Josh Boger, Ph.D., Former President & CEO, Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Peter L. Slavin, M.D., President, Massachusetts General Hospital; and Lydia Villa-Komaroff, Ph.D., Board Member and Chief Scientific Officer, Cytonome/ST.
About the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) is a quasi-public agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts tasked with implementing the Massachusetts Life Sciences Act, a ten-year, $1 billion initiative that was signed into law in June of 2008. The Center’s mission is to create jobs in the life sciences and support vital scientific research that will improve the human condition. This work includes making financial investments in public and private institutions that are advancing life sciences research, development and commercialization as well as building ties between sectors of the Massachusetts life sciences community. For more information, visit www.masslifesciences.com.
About Taligen Therapeutics
Taligen is a biotechnology company at the forefront of one of the most exciting new frontiers of anti-inflammatory and autoimmune drug development, complement system regulation. Rapidly advancing multiple clinical candidates and building a deep product candidate pipeline, Taligen’s lead therapeutic candidates are recombinant fusion proteins and monoclonal antibodies focused on orphan diseases, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and severe inflammatory diseases. Taligen’s therapeutics precisely and selectively target key pathways in the complement system, particularly the amplification loop, offering a unique way to interrupt disease processes at the ‘right’ point.