- Vernal Biosciences appoints Jim Petrilla as CEO, to lead mRNA and LNP Growth
- Cobaugh will stay on as Chief Scientific Officer to focus on R&D and innovation.
Vernal Biosciences, a CDMO democratizing the use of mRNA has announced the appointment of Jim Petrilla as its new Chief Executive Officer and Board Director, effective immediately. Petrilla will take over from founding CEO Christian Cobaugh, Ph.D., who will continue with the company as Chief Scientific Officer and Board Director, now focused on advancing the company’s R&D and scientific capabilities.
Petrilla brings over 30 years of experience in biopharma and clinical research, with a strong history in operational leadership. He joins Vernal after his tenure as founding CEO of BioAgilytix Labs, a bioanalytical testing firm. At BioAgilytix, Petrilla built strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies and achieved rapid growth that earned the company a place on the Inc. 5000 list. His prior experience also includes senior roles at Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Becton Dickinson.
Cobaugh expressed his confidence in Petrilla’s leadership, stating, “His proven ability to deliver innovative and impactful solutions in the life sciences sector aligns perfectly with our customers’ needs. We are confident Jim’s leadership will enable Vernal’s expansion of mRNA offerings and expertly scale our operations.”
In his new role, Petrilla will guide Vernal in advancing mRNA technology, particularly in the areas of high-purity manufacturing and analytical methods, critical for transitioning mRNA therapies from concept to clinical trials. Commenting on the company’s goals, Petrilla said, “Vernal has developed uniquely valuable technologies anchored in scalable, high-purity manufacturing that tackle challenges from concept to clinical trials. I look forward to working with our customers to accelerate their journeys to clinical success.”
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