KBI Biopharma, Inc. (KBI), a JSR Life Sciences company, today announced the appointment of David Stewart as the new SVP and Site Head of KBI’s mammalian cGMP manufacturing facility in Durham, North Carolina. A successful operational leader in the Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) industry, Stewart has more than two decades of biotech leadership experience and a proven record of delivering best-in-class supply for patients. As an expert in leading diverse, multi-disciplinary teams, he will oversee all operations at the Patriot Park location, driving deliverables for KBI’s global biopharmaceutical clients.
“The addition of Dave Stewart to the Patriot Park team will enable it to become our flagship site and play an integral role in our ongoing transformation,” said J.D. Mowery, CEO of KBI and Selexis SA. “Dave is a leader who values his people and understands how to enable excellence through their collective talent.”
Stewart brings to KBI more than 20 years of insight gained from leadership roles at Genentech, Biogen, and, most recently, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies. His expertise includes project execution, product supply, operational readiness, process engineering, product technical transfer, lab operations, automation engineering, and technical validation.
He is also a strategic and focused network leader with a track record in mobilizing technical resources and achieving efficient compliance solutions to address business needs. As a problem solver and an open communicator, he continuously improves engagement among his teams and clients. In this role, Stewart will leverage his extensive science, technical, and business background to help fuel the facility and KBI to a new level of growth.
“I’m excited to lead KBI’s Patriot Park site during this pivotal company growth phase,” said Stewart. “Accountability, innovation, and collaboration are crucial in leading and building strong, high-performing teams. I look forward to building on KBI’s successes as a reliable and trusted CDMO where the patients of our partners worldwide can rely on our manufacturing expertise to deliver excellent results.”
The 150,000-square-foot commercial manufacturing facility produces mammalian-based products, provides clients with commercial launch material and market supply, and serves as a commercialization option for existing and future clients. It employs more than 200 people in production, supply chain, engineering quality control, and quality assurance.
Stewart holds a Master of Science degree focused on Process Control from Indiana State University and an eMBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology. He studied Avionics Engineering at the Naval Aviation Technical Training College and served in the United States Marine Corps.