Viralgen will appoint Bayer supply executive Angela Ochoa Chico as chief executive on Jan. 1, 2027, putting a new leader in charge of the Spanish gene therapy manufacturer.
The company announced the succession Oct. 19. Ochoa Chico holds the title Product Supply Strategy & Excellence Lead in Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division. Viralgen said her international pharmaceutical career spans nearly 20 years and includes work in manufacturing, quality and strategy. She is expected to work with Vanhove and Viralgen staff during the transition before taking the post.
Jimmy Vanhove, Viralgen’s current CEO, has led the company for four years, according to the announcement. His next Bayer role will involve developing and expanding the company’s U.S. pharmaceutical product supply network, which is based in New Albany, Ohio. He will also join the Pharmaceuticals Division’s Product Supply Leadership Team.
Viralgen manufactures adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapies for clients, supporting work from development through commercial production. The company said it has more than 450 employees in San Sebastián, Spain, and more than 70 customers and partners worldwide.
Viralgen is an AskBio subsidiary. Bayer’s 2021 annual report records that the company acquired AskBio on Dec. 1, 2020. Ochoa Chico’s scheduled start as Viralgen CEO is Jan. 1, 2027.
