Kolia to Head Business Development at Ark

Ark Therapeutics Group plc has appointed Kassim Kolia, BSc (Hons), as Head of Business Development, with responsibility for building the company’s manufacturing services business at its viral process development and manufacturing facility based in Kuopio, Finland.

Kassim joins Ark from Eden Biodesign Ltd where he led business progression of its contract development and manufacturing services. He was previously Key Account Manager at Bachem (UK) Ltd where he was responsible for business development of cGMP business opportunities for the company in the UK and Ireland. Prior to that, Kassim held the role of cGMP Line Manager at Lonza Biologics where he was responsible for the day-to-day running of the manufacturing plant.

In this role, Kassim reports directly to Dr David Venables, Executive Director – Manufacturing Services who said: “Kassim’s extensive experience in winning manufacturing service contracts will enable us to accelerate the development of our world-leading contract viral product development and manufacturing services capability into a major, self-sustaining business. I look forward to working with him at what is a very exciting time for Ark.”