Alain Schwenck, an Expert on Pharmaceutical Prodcution, becomes Director of Genethon Bioprod
Alain Schwenck, 51, has joined Genethon as Director of Genethon Bioprod, the new site for the production of clinical grade-gene therapy medicines for the treatment of rare diseases, created by AFM-Telethon.
As of 2 April this year, Alain Schwenck, 51, has joined Genethon as Director of Genethon Bioprod, the new site for the production of clinical grade-gene therapy medicines for the treatment of rare diseases, created by AFM-Telethon. Mr. Schwenck is a seasoned expert in manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. He began his career at Rhône Poulenc, and has since then managed several manufacturing plants for leading institutions in the pharmaceutical industry: Lilly France, the Laboratoire Français du Fractionnement et des Biotechnologies (LFB), Bristol-Myers Squibb France and the Laboratoires Salem. Mr. Schwenck obtained his engineering degree from the French engineering school École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Métiers. He also holds a business degree from the international business school École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (ESCP).
Alain Schwenck will bring Genethon Bioprod both his technological and regulatory expertise, as well as that in the organization of industrial production teams: “It is highly stimulating to participate in the development of such a project, given the major recent advances in the field of gene therapy! I am very happy to join Genethon and contribute my expertise to this cutting-edge pharmaceutical company and beyond, to AFM-Téléthon as well.”
For Frédéric Revah, Chief Executive Officer of Genethon, Alain Schwenck’s arrival presents a unique opportunity: “To reinforce Genethon’s position of leader in the field of gene therapies for rare diseases, it is essential to build a team of prominent professionals in the likes of Alain Schwenck. His invaluable experience will benefit our current and future clinical trials, and therefore contribute to the success of our missions, serving patients and their families”
Genethon Bioprod, a unique center for the production of gene-therapy drugs
Genethon Bioprod was founded on the initiative of the AFM-Telethon, with major financial contributions from local governmental offices* and from the Evry Genopole®. This unique center is dedicated to the production of gene therapy vectors for clinical trials for the treatment of rare diseases. With nearly 5,000 m², it combines all required facilities and expertise for the highly specific manufacture of therapeutic vectors in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for pharmaceutical production. The objective is to produce approximately twenty clinical lots per year that can be supplied to trials in France and abroad. Its running costs are funded by the AFM-Telethon.
*The Regional Council (Conseil Régional) of Ile-de-France, the General Council of the Essonne region
