Indianapolis-based Genezen, a gene and cell therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) announced the appointment of Susan D’Costa, as chief technology officer (CTO) to grow the firm’s Adeno-associated Viruses (AAV) business unit.

With over 25 years of experience in molecular virology, Indian origin Susan D’Costa is a thought leader in AAV manufacturing and has held leadership roles on both the CDMO and product side of gene and cell therapy at companies including Florida Biologix, Brammer Bio, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Alcyone Therapeutics., said a release shared by the company.

Commenting on the new role at Genezen, D’Costa said, “My passion lies in building gene therapy CMC capabilities from the ground up, so I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do so here. Genezen is well positioned to develop new AAV vector production capabilities to supplement its deep expertise in LV and RV vectors.”

D’Costa holds a PhD in biology, specializing in molecular virology, from Texas Tech University. She has done MS in biochemistry from Mumbai University’s Grant Medical College and BS in microbiology/biochemistry from Mumbai University’s St. Xavier’s College.