The Center for Breakthrough Medicines (CBM) has appointed Mandy Conver as senior vice president (SVP) of business development for testing and analytics, and Jennifer Manning as SVP of global strategic partnerships.

“Both Mandy and Jennifer are accomplished and recognized leaders in the biotechnology industry and we are thrilled to have them join our team,” said Joerg Ahlgrimm, CEO of CBM. “Each brings extensive expertise in strategy formulation, team development, process management and commercial leadership, and are expected to have a significant impact on the continued growth of CBM.”

Conver will tap into her 20-plus years of diverse experience in the biotechnology and biopharma industries to lead all organic and new business development opportunities for CBM’s testing and analytics division. She will be responsible for leading and directing a team of highly technical business development professionals to repeated success while driving revenue growth.

Most recently, Conver led the successful launch of QIAGEN’s QIAcuity Digital PCR portfolio in North America, where she oversaw market strategy and commercial activities, including creation of a specialized commercial team and customized training for a large-matrix sales organization. Additionally, she also negotiated strategic alliances and heavily influenced portfolio evolution that led to QIAGEN achieving widespread adoption of the platform throughout the cell and gene therapy field.

With more than 25 years of bioprocessing and cell and gene therapy experience, Manning will negotiate, develop and lead strategic partnerships with academic institutions, private equity and venture capital firms, and large pharma at CBM. Additionally, she will help set the strategy for growing CBM revenue, establish senior-level relationships with partners, and build a team of strategic account directors ensuring CBM partners have access to its technologies and services, while focusing on establishing and nurturing thoughtful, long-term collaborations.

Most recently, Manning built and led the North American advanced therapy commercial development team at Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, where she was responsible for the growth of the viral vector, recombinant vaccine and oncolytic virus businesses. Previous roles and responsibilities include advancing global capabilities for industry leading CDMOs such as Lonza, DSM Biologics, Alcami Corporation, and Patheon and helping to build and lead the sales training department at Human Genome Sciences for the successful launch of BENLYSTA.

“Mandy and Jennifer are leaders who have made significant contributions throughout their careers and each will continue to excel here at CBM,” said Audrey Greenberg, CBM co-founder and chief business officer. “Women are making meaningful impacts in the cell processing and biopharma industries, and CBM is proud to have several leadership and executive roles occupied by extremely well-qualified females.”