Center for Breakthrough Medicines appoints Joerg Ahlgrimm as CEO

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Center for Breakthrough Medicines appoints Joerg Ahlgrimm as CEO

The Center for Breakthrough Medicines (CBM) appointed Joerg Ahlgrimm CEO. According to executives, CBM is creating the world’s largest end-to-end advanced therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). CBM will provide preclinical through commercial manufacturing including process development, plasmid DNA, viral vectors, cell banking, cell processing, and supporting testing capabilities.

Ahlgrimm brings more than 20 years of expertise in the areas of operations and supply chain management and has served in multi-billion-dollar companies operating in biotech, vaccines, pharmaceutical and medical device markets. His focus is on superior customer service, strategy development, execution management, productivity improvement, organizational development, team building, and leadership.

Prior to joining CBM, Ahlgrimm was head of Global Operations, Pharma Biotech and Nutrition at Lonza, where he was responsible for 37 sites on four continents and over 8,000 employees.

“We are thrilled about Joerg’s appointment to CEO. Joerg’s ‘team player’ mentality, ability to roll up his sleeves, and deep industry relationships will be a game changer for CBM and the advanced therapies industry,” says Audrey Greenberg, co-founder, Center for Breakthrough Medicines. “Joerg has a proven ability to execute on large-scale projects. Joerg’s extraordinary achievements for the pharma, biotech, and CDMO industries combined with his incredible leadership, makes him the ideal choice to head our executive management team and build CBM into an advanced therapy powerhouse.”

Ahlgrimm joined CBM in September 2020 as chief operating officer. Executives say his invaluable contribution to launching and establishing CBM distinguishes him as the ideal choice for the role of CEO. In this new position, he will increase his responsibilities and focus on driving the growth of CBM.

“I am laser-focused on building a company that will solve the biggest challenge in cell and gene therapy development, which is manufacturing,” Ahlgrimm says. “Beyond manufacturing, our goals include the creation of high-performing teams and fostering an exciting and inspiring culture with a close connection to the patients and customers we ultimately serve.”