BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. announced the appointment of Hartoun Hartounian Ph.D. as its new EVP and COO, effective as of June 18, 2024. Dr. Hartounian brings a distinguished track record with over 32 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with a focus on cell and gene therapy. His career highlights include founding and leading BioCentriq, a state-of-the-art cell and gene therapy CDMO facility, which was successfully acquired for $73 million in 2022.

Dr. Hartounian founded and managed the growth of four biotechnology companies. He has a track record of achieving aggressive goals at large pharmaceutical, contract development and manufacturing organizations, as well as at start-up biotechnology companies. In his new role, Dr. Hartounian will oversee all operational aspects of BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, including CMC and commercialization.

He has the right skillset to enhance the company's operational efficiency and the strategic vision to support the commercial readiness of its therapeutic platforms including NurOwn® for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Dr. Hartounian founded BioCentriq, a full-service, collaborative, revenue generating CDMO company for cell and gene therapy, focusing on all stages of process development and clinical manufacturing. He served initially as the company's General Manager (2015 to 2022) and then as its President, CEO and a member of the Board of Directors (2022 to 2023).

He led BioCentriq from inception to its $73 million acquisition by GC Holdings (Korea). From 2013 to 2015, Dr. Hartounian was CEO, Co-Founder and a member of the Board of Directors at DiaVacs, a company specializing in cell therapy for type 1 diabetes. Prior to that, from 2011 to 2013 he was CEO and Co-Founder of Allied BioVentures.

From 2008 to 2011, he was also President, CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of Vyteris Inc., where he led the company through a successful turnaround, reorganization, merger, and business transformation, positioning it for growth and success in the CRO industry. Dr. Hartounian has also been an affiliated faculty member at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in the Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences since 2020, as well as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Columbia University from 2015 to 2022. Additionally, Dr. Hartounian holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering with a minor in biochemistry from the University of Delaware, an M.S. in chemical engineering from the University of California and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Arya-Mehr University.