AGC Biologics Appoints Alberto Santagostino as CEO to Spearhead Strategic Shift Towards Friendly CDMO Services

AGC Biologics, a global leader in biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing, has announced Alberto Santagostino as its new Chief Executive Officer and President, effective November 1st. This leadership change underscores the company's commitment to enhancing its service offerings as a 'friendly CDMO expert,' focusing on reliability, collaboration, and simplicity for biopharmaceutical developers.

Santagostino's extensive experience, including his recent role as Head of Cell and Gene Technology at Lonza, where he significantly expanded the CGT business unit, positions him as a pivotal figure in AGC Biologics' strategic redirection. His background in transforming CGT manufacturing into industrial-scale operations and his tenure at McKinsey & Co. equip him with the unique expertise needed to navigate the company through its next growth phase.

The strategic shift aims to address prevalent industry challenges such as geopolitical risks, intellectual property concerns, and complex supplier relationships. By fostering a more collaborative and straightforward working relationship with clients, AGC Biologics seeks to solidify its position as a preferred partner in the biopharmaceutical sector.

Santagostino's vision for AGC Biologics revolves around placing customers at the core of the company's operations and leveraging technical talent to deliver expert services. This approach is encapsulated in the tagline '#YourfriendlyCDMOexpert,' reflecting the company's ambition to simplify the complexities associated with Chemistry Manufacturing Control (CMC), technical development, and manufacturing processes.

With a 30-year legacy in the biopharma CDMO space, AGC Biologics boasts a robust portfolio, having served over 250 customers across more than 400 projects and contributing to the launch of 25 commercial products. The company's global footprint, including cGMP-compliant facilities across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and a workforce of over 2,500 professionals, underscores its capacity to meet the evolving needs of the biopharmaceutical industry.

Under Santagostino's leadership, AGC Biologics is poised to redefine its role in the biopharmaceutical ecosystem, offering a blend of technical excellence and customer-centric services. This strategic repositioning could significantly impact drug developers seeking dependable and less complicated CDMO partnerships, marking a notable shift in how biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing services are delivered and perceived.