New expert advisory board appointments set to drive growth and innovation at Hongene

October 25, 2023

A leading biotech company dedicated to advancing scientific research in the nucleic acid sector, Hongene, has launched a new advisory board with three international experts from academia and industry as part of a major new initiative to advance the company’s growth and innovation plans.

The newly formed Hongene Advisory Board includes some of the brightest minds in the business. The three new board members bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in business strategy, nucleic acid chemistry, and organic synthesis, as well as diverse perspectives to ensure strong strategic decision-making. This latest announcement reflects Hongene’s commitment to focus on innovation to fulfill its ambitious commercial objectives in the exciting and high-potential field of RNA manufacturing.

The new appointments to the Hongene Advisory Board include:

Dr. John Maraganore is a renowned biotech executive who is best known for his role as the founding CEO at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a leading global biopharmaceutical company that has brought five RNAi therapeutic medicines to market to date. He is a member of the Board of Directors of multiple private and publicly traded companies and non-profit organizations and serves as an advisor to several venture and public company investment firms. Maraganore received his B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Chicago.

Professor Phil Baran is a Professor of Chemistry at the Scripps Research Institute. He is globally known for his pioneering work on developing new methods for synthesizing complex organic compounds that are widely used in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and materials science sectors. He has co-founded multiple companies and has won numerous awards for his research, including the MacArthur Fellowship. Baran received his B.S. in chemistry from New York University and his Ph.D. from the Scripps Research Institute.

Professor Masad Damha is a Distinguished James McGill Professor of Chemistry at McGill University. He is a leading expert in nucleic acid chemistry and has made significant contributions to the development of new methods for synthesizing and modifying nucleic acids. He has received numerous awards for his research, including the R.U. Lemieux Award from the Canadian Chemical Institute. Damha received his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in organic chemistry from McGill University.

"We are extremely honored to have such distinguished professionals form our new advisory board," said Dr. Wei Jiang, CEO of Hongene. "Their collective expertise and thought leadership will undoubtedly bolster our innovative efforts and help us achieve our objective of advancing scientific knowledge for the betterment of humanity."

He added: “Biotech is known for being a high-growth sector, where innovation is crucial to staying ahead of the competition. The creation of the new board aims to give Hongene a commercial edge in a highly competitive marketplace”.

The creation of the Hongene Advisory Board marks a significant milestone in the company's journey as it continues to make strides in the field of biotechnology. With the guidance of these experts, Hongene is well-positioned to leverage game-changing manufacturing technologies through continuous innovation, delivering solutions that address global health challenges.

About Hongene:

Hongene is an end-to-end partner for specialist nucleic acid products. The raw materials supplier has expertise in nucleic acid synthesis and manufacturing, offering a wide range of products to meet the needs of the life sciences industry.

From custom oligonucleotides to DNA and RNA synthesis, the company understands the criticality of timelines in drug development. Whether you are a biotech startup or a multinational pharmaceutical company, Hongene is a trusted partner you can rely on for all your nucleic acid needs.

For more information about Hongene and its range of nucleic acid products, visit the website at www.hongene.com