Franklin Biolabs, a newly launched genetic medicines-focused contract research organization (CRO), has named Vatsala Naageshwaran, PhD, as Chief Executive Officer.
 
Dr. Naageshwaran is an award-winning biopharmaceutical executive experienced in supporting technical and commercial operations with a deep commitment to progressing advanced therapies for patients over a 20-year professional career. She has built and directed cross-functional teams to enhance product and service portfolios and delivered multimillion-dollar revenues to support top-line growth.

Experience 

Prior to joining Franklin Biolabs, Naageshwaran started her career in biotech working for Myriad Genetics and Astex Pharmaceuticals before transitioning to Absorption Systems, a contract research organization headquartered in Exton, PA. As Chief Business Officer of Absorption Systems, Naageshwaran was responsible for driving the overall global business strategy for US integrated services, supporting small molecules, medical devices, cell and gene therapies. Most recently, she was Vice President, Head of Business Development for US CGT & Lab Services at Pharmaron, a global vertically integrated service provider supporting large pharma and biotech companies developing cell and gene therapy products.
 
“I am absolutely thrilled to join Franklin Biolabs and be a part of the groundbreaking work that Dr. Wilson and his team are doing at the forefront of gene therapy and healthcare innovation,” said Naageshwaran. “I accepted this opportunity because I am confident that my experience will help advance the development of innovative therapeutics, which in turn will profoundly impact the lives of patients and their families worldwide.”
 
Naageshwaran earned her degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology from Mount Holyoke College and in pharmacometrics from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Her doctoral work was in pharmaceutical drug research through a joint program between the University of Helsinki and Eastern Finland.
 
She is the recipient of FDA’s IDIQ and BAA grants to study PK/PD of complex products. Under her leadership, the Pharmaron San Diego site was named a Top CRO from 2018-2021. She was nominated for the San Diego Business Woman of the Year Award in 2021.  Naageshwaran’s research has been featured at national conferences such as Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), Science of Toxicology (SOT) and American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). She has authored multiple publications submitted to peer-reviewed journals.