USA – Gilead Sciences, which has been in the headlines recently for layoffs and recalls due to glass shards, has named a new head to its manufacturing operations.

Stacey Ma, who was previously the head of technical operations at Sana Biotechnology based in California, will be Gilead’s new executive vice president for pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, the company said.

Additionally, Ma becomes part of the senior leadership team, reporting directly to Daniel O’Day, chair and chief executive.

Ma replaces Taiyin Yang, who is retiring after working at Gilead for nearly 30 years.

Commenting on Stacey’s appointment, O’Day said, “Stacey has an impressive track record in the formulation and manufacture of medicines from pre-IND through commercialization.

“Under Stacey’s leadership, and as we continue to diversify our portfolio, I am confident that Gilead will maintain a global reputation for excellence in the development, manufacture and supply of medicines.”

Ma’s hire comes on the heels of the FDA signaling an all-clear in May for Gilead to resume studies of its

The regulatory agency began clamping down on 10 lenacapavir studies in December 2021, citing concerns about the compatibility of the drug with the borosilicate vials it was being stored in.

Ma’s hiring also supports Gilead’s plans to focus more of its manufacturing on the West Coast versus the East Coast.

The combination had the potential to create “sub-visible” glass particles in the lenacapavir solution.

In March, the company announced it inked a deal for 27 acres of undeveloped land near its existing facility in Oceanside, California, which will be used for expanded manufacturing facilities.

At the same time, Gilead disclosed in a New Jersey Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notice that it was planning to lay off more than 100 workers at Immunomedics’ former headquarters in Morris Plains, New Jersey.

Still on the appointments, Gilead Sciences has announced that Dustin Haines will be joining the company as Vice President, General Manager, Asia 5, effective 6 June 2022.

He will be responsible for driving the business development of HIV, viral hepatitis including hepatitis B, C and D, as well as Gilead’s commitment to enhance public health and community impact in the Asia 5 markets: Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia.

Mr Haines brings to his role decades of experience in corporate leadership and an extensive track record of global commercial experience over a 20-year career in pharmaceuticals.

He joins Gilead from Next Science, a medical technology company, where he served as Chief Commercial Officer.

Prior to Next Science, Mr Haines spent over a decade with ViiV Healthcare and GSK, last serving as President and General Manager for Japan at ViiV Healthcare.

Mr Haines joins Gilead as the company celebrates its tenth-year anniversary in Asia.

With this appointment, Mr Haines will become a member of the Intercontinental Leadership Team and Gilead’s Operating Group, reporting to Senior Vice President, Intercontinental Region & Global Patient Solutions, Jacopo Andreose, PhD.

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