Steven R. Johnson has been appointed vice president of business development at Laureate Pharma. Mr. Johnson will be responsible for the company’s worldwide business development activities, including sales, marketing, business development and project management, supporting the company’s contract development, protein manufacturing, testing and aseptic filling businesses.

“Steve brings a proven track record of sales management in the biologics market combined with extensive senior relationships,” said Michael A. Griffith, chief executive officer of Laureate. “He is an industry leader and brings to Laureate an impressive background that includes broad international business development experience in contract manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies, biopharmaceuticals and chemical APIs.”

Mr. Johnson joins the company from Lonza, where he served most recently as vice president global business development, and previously as vice president, sales and business development, North America. In both positions, he supported several of Lonza’s contract manufacturing business units, including cell culture protein manufacturing, microbial protein production and stem cell production. Previously, he held the position of vice president, sales North America for Degussa Fine Chemicals.