Humacyte has announced the appointment of Douglas L Blankenship as chief financial officer, effective Monday, 8 October, 2018.
According to a company release, Blankenship is a highly accomplished financial professional with executive-level experience in financing, finance and accounting, technical operations, management, and strategy for life science and biotechnology organisations. He has managed over US$225 million in public and private equity/debt financing, and led three companies through successful initial public offerings. Blankenship will report to Humacyte president and chief executive officer, Jeffrey Lawson.
“After a thorough and thoughtful search process for a strategic and experienced finance leader, we are pleased to welcome Doug Blankenship to Humacyte,” says Lawson. “Doug is a veteran in the life sciences industry with a diverse set of skills and a proven record of leading successful business and financial transactions. He joins us at an inflection point, as Humacyte continues its trajectory as a growing biotechnology company and prepares for product commercialisation following regulatory approval.”
Prior to joining Humacyte, Blankenship was chief financial officer of Dova Pharmaceuticals, and previously held financial leadership positions as director of Finance for Genentech, Inc., executive director of Finance for Amgen, and director of Finance and Treasurer for Onyx Pharmaceuticals. Blankenship earned a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with concentrations in Finance and Operations Management from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from California Polytechnic State University.
“It’s a true honour to join a group of brilliant, accomplished and passionate professionals who share a common vision. Humacyte scientists are developing technologies that potentially can lead to more positive clinical outcomes for patients,” says Blankenship. “Leveraging my previous leadership roles across several large and small companies within the life sciences, biotech and pharmaceutical industries, we will strive to implement financial strategies that will contribute to the advancement of this powerful science and the company.”
Blankenship will transition CFO responsibilities from Paul Boyer. “On behalf of the board and management team, I’d like to thank Paul for his dedication and innumerable contributions during his eight years with Humacyte,” continues Lawson. “Paul played a crucial role in strengthening our path to achieving business success during that time.”
