Board of Directors Expanded as AskBio Appoints Dr. Laura Sepp-Lorenzino
AskBio Inc. (AskBio), a pioneering gene therapy company and an independently operated wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer AG, has announced the appointment of Dr. Laura Sepp-Lorenzino, PhD, to its Board of Directors. Her election as an Independent Director was officially approved by the Board and takes effect on April 4, 2025.
The company, which is at the forefront of developing transformative gene therapies, views Dr. Sepp-Lorenzino’s addition as a significant strategic move, strengthening its leadership team with deep scientific and executive expertise. The announcement reflects AskBio’s ongoing commitment to scientific excellence and innovation in the rapidly evolving field of gene therapy and genetic medicine.
A Leader in Translational Science and Drug Development
Dr. Sepp-Lorenzino brings with her over three decades of experience spanning executive leadership roles, academic research, and corporate strategy within the biopharmaceutical sector. Her unique background positions her as a powerful asset to AskBio at a pivotal moment in the company’s journey.
Gustavo Pesquin, Chief Executive Officer of AskBio, expressed his enthusiasm about the new appointment, stating, “We are incredibly pleased to welcome Dr. Laura Sepp-Lorenzino to our Board of Directors. Her unmatched scientific credentials and strategic leadership will play a critical role as we expand our clinical programs and progress toward commercialization.”
“Laura brings not only technical expertise in gene therapy, gene editing, and nucleic acid-based treatments,” he continued, “but also a broad understanding of translating scientific discoveries into real-world solutions. Her background spans from research to late-stage clinical development, making her ideally suited to support our mission of delivering breakthrough therapies to patients in need.”
A Trailblazer in CRISPR and Genetic Medicines
Currently, Dr. Sepp-Lorenzino serves as Scientific Advisor and Executive Vice President at Intellia Therapeutics, a biotechnology leader focused on CRISPR-based genome editing technologies. She previously held the position of Chief Scientific Officer at Intellia, where she played an instrumental role in advancing the company’s research and development strategy, helping it emerge as a prominent innovator in the CRISPR field.
Before joining Intellia, Dr. Sepp-Lorenzino held a series of senior leadership roles in some of the most innovative companies in biotechnology. At Vertex Pharmaceuticals, she was Vice President of Research and External Innovation and Head of Nucleic Acid Therapies. There, she led initiatives in RNA-based drug development and helped shape the company’s external collaboration strategy.
She also served as Vice President and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, one of the early pioneers in RNA interference (RNAi) technology, and held multiple key positions at Merck & Co., Inc., where she contributed to a broad range of drug discovery and development programs.
Expertise Across Institutions and Therapeutic Platforms
Beyond her corporate affiliations, Dr. Sepp-Lorenzino is actively involved in several advisory and governance roles that reflect her prominence in the scientific community. She currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Taysha Gene Therapies and the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), organizations that are highly respected for their work in advancing cell and gene therapies.
In addition, she is a member of the Scientific Advisory Boards for globally recognized institutions and companies including Thermo Fisher Scientific, Arsenal Capital Partners, and the UK’s Medical Research Council Nucleic Acid Therapy Accelerator. These roles underscore her comprehensive knowledge across modalities including small molecules, biologics, nucleic acids, and genome editing technologies.
Dr. Sepp-Lorenzino began her career in academic research as an Assistant Attending Molecular Biologist at the prestigious Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute, where she laid the foundation for a lifelong focus on cutting-edge therapeutic innovation.
Academic Background and Industry Recognition
Her academic credentials are equally impressive. Dr. Sepp-Lorenzino earned her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Pharmacy from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, followed by a PhD in Biochemistry from New York University. Her interdisciplinary training in both clinical pharmacology and molecular biology has helped her bridge the gap between laboratory science and patient-centric therapeutics.
Throughout her career, she has received numerous honors recognizing her leadership, innovation, and influence in the biopharmaceutical industry. Among her accolades are the 2023 Rosalind Franklin Award in Science, the 2022 Women in Biopharma Award, and inclusion in the 2019 Fiercest Women in Life Sciences list—each a testament to her trailblazing impact on the field.
She also contributes to the broader scientific community by serving on the editorial boards of several key journals, including Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Molecular Therapy – Nucleic Acids, and Cell & Gene Therapy Insights. These platforms allow her to shape the discourse in emerging scientific trends and help guide the next generation of genetic research.
Driving the Future of Gene Therapy at AskBio
Commenting on Dr. Sepp-Lorenzino’s appointment, Dr. Mansuo Shannon, AskBio’s Chief Scientific Officer and a fellow member of the Board, emphasized the strategic significance of her addition to the company’s leadership.
“Laura is an influential leader whose contributions to biopharma have transformed how new technologies are translated into medicines,” Dr. Shannon stated. “Her deep understanding of the drug development lifecycle—particularly in the areas of CRISPR, RNA therapeutics, and gene editing—will be crucial as we transition our programs from mid-stage clinical development into late-stage trials and eventual regulatory submission.”
He added, “AskBio’s future depends on bold science and disciplined execution. Laura’s insights will help shape the strategic decisions that get us there.”
A Vision for the Future
Reflecting on her appointment, Dr. Sepp-Lorenzino expressed her excitement about joining AskBio during what she described as a “pivotal phase of innovation and momentum.”
“I am honored to join the Board of AskBio, a company that has not only contributed foundational science to the field of gene therapy but continues to push the boundaries of what is possible,” she said. “As the company advances its clinical and pre-clinical pipelines toward important milestones, I look forward to working alongside the Board and leadership team to support its mission of delivering life-changing therapies to patients around the world.”
With her appointment, AskBio reinforces its commitment to leadership rooted in scientific excellence and strategic insight, as it pursues its mission to transform the lives of patients with serious and often untreatable genetic diseases.
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