New president and CEO for enGene

enGene Inc., a biotechnology company developing novel non-viral vector gene therapies to provide oral delivery of a wide range of protein drugs, has appointed Jason D. Hanson as president, CEO and director. Hanson succeeds enGene co-founder Anthony Cheung, Ph.D., who assumes the role of chief technology officer at the company.

“I am thrilled to lead enGene into its new phase of growth,” Hanson says. “The company has made groundbreaking advancements to its gene delivery platform that will transform the way we treat many diseases. Our vision is to make protein therapies universally available and curative for the improvement of patient’s lives.”

“We are excited to welcome an executive with Jason’s depth of industry leadership to the enGene team,” says Dr. Richard Glickman, chairman of enGene’s board of directors. “He has the ideal set of experiences to guide enGene through its transition to a clinical stage therapeutics company developing its own proprietary products, as well as products in collaboration with its pharmaceutical firm partners.”

Hanson most recently served as president and CEO of Ohana Biosciences Inc., a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Mass. Hanson previously served as executive VP and chief strategy officer for NuVasive Inc. and as corporate VP of General Electric Company and a member of the senior executive team of GE Healthcare, a $20-plus billion dollar global pharmaceutical, medical device and healthcare services business.

At GE Healthcare, he had global business responsibilities for a range of portfolio management, corporate development, legal, compliance, and government relations activities.

Prior to joining GE Healthcare, Hanson served as company group chairman and executive VP at Valeant Pharmaceuticals with responsibility for the company’s Consumer, Ophthalmology, Latin American, and Dental businesses, as well as the manufacturing and supply chain, R&D, regulatory, and medical affairs teams. Previously, he served as executive VP and chief operating officer at Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp., where he led R&D and other critical functions and helped build the pre-eminent pipeline of prescription dermatology and aesthetic medicine products prior to its acquisition by Valeant for $2.6 billion.

Hanson received a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a law degree from Duke University School of Law.

“We are fortunate to have recruited someone with Jason’s experience and talent and I really look forward to working with Jason as enGene enters this exciting new stage of development,” Dr. Cheung says. “I am extremely proud that the promise of our innovative gene delivery platform and the milestones our team has accomplished to date have attracted an industry veteran of Jason’s caliber to lead enGene.”

enGene is a biotechnology company developing a proprietary gene therapy platform for localized delivery of proteins to mucosal cells lining the gut, and other tissues of the body, for the treatment of a range of diseases. enGene has developed a unique gut-optimized gene delivery formulation into an orally available Gene Pill™ to provide oral delivery of a wide range of protein drugs.