Ultragenyx, a biopharmaceutical company centered on developing novel treatments for rare and very rare diseases, has announced that their Chief Technical Operations Officer and Executive Vice President of gene therapy, Dennis Huang, has been named to the board of directors for the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio).

MassBio is the oldest biotechnology trade association in the U.S. and represents over 1,600 companies, academic institutions, service organizations, and research hospitals.

Huang will be among six other life-science executives joining MassBio's board, where they will support its mission to forward Massachusetts life sciences industry, advance its healthcare system, and improve patient lives.

In his position at Ultragenyx, Huang leads its technical and pharmaceutical development and its manufacturing/supply chain. These include developing technologies such as small molecules, recombinant proteins, and forms of gene therapy.

“I am honored to join the board at MassBio, a leader in and powerful partner to this globally recognized ecosystem of life-science innovation,” Huang said in a statement. 

“MassBio and Ultragenyx share a commitment to supporting research and policies that advance innovation. I look forward to taking a leading role in an organization focused on helping our industry deliver for patients and address unmet medical needs,” he continued.

Prior to joining Ulreagenyx, Huang has held senior positions at numerous companies, including InterMune Inc., Novartis AG, Amgen, and Allergan Inc.

“We are excited to have Dennis join MassBio’s board as we write the next chapter of growth for the life sciences industry,” said MassBio CEO & President Kendalle Burlin O’Connell.

“Dennis and these other new board members come from some of the biggest names in the Commonwealth’s life sciences cluster, and their diverse perspectives will be valuable for helping our ecosystem navigate the years ahead,” she continued.

Other members joining the board include Lauren Celano, Founder and CEO of Propel Careers; Michael Luther, Ph.D., MBA; Stacia Reidy MacNaught, VP of External and Community Affairs of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Michael Shafer, Senior VP and President of Pharma Services at Thermo Fisher Scientific; and Jennifer Wipf, Head of Commercial at Ginkgo Bioworks Inc.

All new members were formally voted in during the State of Possible Conference on April 25, 2023.