Susan D’Costa

Susan D’Costa is a molecular virologist spanning 25 years of experience in virology. Over the past ten years she has been actively involved in viral vector analytics, process development, manufacturing, and building successful teams. She is currently the Chief Technology Officer and Head of the AAV Business Unit at Genezen, a leading viral vector CDMO. Prior to Genezen, Susan was CTO at Alcyone Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering next-generation CNS precision gene-based therapeutics for complex neurological conditions. At Alcyone, she was responsible for viral vector CMC, device development operations and partnering on new technologies for both gene therapy and precision delivery. Dr. D’Costa has also held leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Viral Vector Services and its predecessor companies – Brammer Bio and Florida Biologix, working with different viral vectors, liaising with diverse biotech clients and building teams with scientific and operational excellence. Susan holds a PhD in biology, specializing in molecular virology, from Texas Tech University; an MS in biochemistry from Mumbai University (Grant Medical College) and a BS in microbiology/biochemistry also from Mumbai University (St. Xavier’s College).

Why Genezen? Genezen is well positioned to develop new AAV vector production capabilities because they have already established themselves as a high quality lentivirus/retrovirus CDMO, which is a far more difficult paradigm to solve for and execute successfully. I believe the team has the kind of experience necessary to not just translate into AAV production but to do so the right way.

I am passionate about building gene therapy CMC capabilities from the ground up and influencing the gene therapy landscape. The work we do directly translates into giving hope for patients and their families. I am passionate about building talent that is collaborative and inclusive and paying it forward.