PASADENA, Calif., June 24, 2024 — AcuraStem, a patient-based biotechnology company pioneering the development of treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, today announced the appointment of Dr. Ananya Sengupta as Associate Director of Program Management. Dr. Sengupta brings a distinguished career in biotechnology and pharmaceutical program management to her new role, where she will enhance AcuraStem's strategic operations and project leadership.
Dr. Sengupta’s extensive background includes pivotal roles at Rocket Pharmaceuticals and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she managed early drug development programs in cell and gene therapy. At the CHDI Foundation, she was instrumental in managing a comprehensive preclinical portfolio targeting Huntington Disease. Dr. Sengupta earned her PhD in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the City University of New York, enriching her extensive project management skills with comprehensive scientific expertise.
In her new role at AcuraStem, Dr. Sengupta will lead the program management activities essential for progressing drug candidates from lead optimization through to Investigational New Drug (IND) filing. She will also enhance interdisciplinary collaboration across Clinical Operations, Clinical Development, and Regulatory Affairs to optimize IND preparation workflows.
Additionally, Dr. Sengupta will oversee financial planning related to project budgets and forecasts, ensure alignment with strategic objectives, and manage collaborations with Contract Research Organizations (CROs) to facilitate study design and execution that meet rigorous quality and regulatory standards.
Dr. Sengupta’s role is pivotal in managing cross-functional teams, driving the timely execution of project milestones, and ensuring that communication and documentation are effectively handled to support decision-making and governance.
"Dr. Sengupta’s exceptional skills in project management, combined with her scientific acumen, make her an invaluable addition to the AcuraStem team. Her appointment highlights our commitment to excellence and our continuous effort to lead in the innovation and development of effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases," said AcuraStem CEO Sam Alworth.