Eight months after parting ways with its founding chief executive, a Philadelphia cell therapy developer has named a new CEO.

Brent Pfeiffenberger has been appointed to lead Century Therapeutics effective Dec. 4.

Pfeiffenberger, who has more than two decades of experience in the health care industry, was most recently chief operating officer at Neogene Therapeutics, a subsidiary of AstraZeneca focused on developing cell therapies for the treatment of cancer. Before that, he spent nearly 20 years in leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Bristol Myers Squibb. Pfeiffenberger has a doctorate of pharmacy degree from Duquesne University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

Joe Jimenez, chair of Century Therapeutics’ board of directors, called Pfeiffenberger a “strong leader with extensive experience across the research, development, and commercialization of lifesaving drugs.”

When Pfeiffenberger steps into the role next month, interim CEO Greg Russotti will assume the title of chief technology and manufacturing officer. That role expands upon his previous position as chief technology officer, which he held prior to stepping in as interim CEO in April.

Russotti took on the role of interim CEO following the departure of Lalo Flores, who had served as CEO of Century Therapeutics since the company was founded in 2018. Century Therapeutics (NASDAQ: IPSC) is focused on developing induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell therapies for treating cancer.

The company’s technology involves bioengineering the stem cells and turning them into T cells and NK (natural killer) cells that attack and kill tumor cells. Its lead product candidate, CNTY-101, targets a relapsed/refractory type of cancer that forms in white blood cells known as B-cell lymphoma.

The company expects to have its first clinical trial data readout by the end of this year.

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