Trusted Partner in Cell Therapy
BioCentriq is a highly versatile clinical-phase cell therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). It has been successfully developing, manufacturing, and releasing GMP autologous and allogeneic cell therapies for clinical trials from 2022. BioCentriq is known for its high level of experience across the organization as a specialist CDMO. It specifically specializes in early and mid-stage cell therapies. BioCentriq is comprised of highly experienced and industry-recognized leadership, scientists, engineers, analysts, and manufacturing specialists.
BioCentriq utilizes state-of-the-art quality systems, infrastructure, and digitalized processes. Its LEAP™ Advanced Therapy Platform has been designed to reduce manufacturing initiation timelines by over 50% from industry average.
BioCentriq adds additional resources with the backing of Green Cross of South Korea, a global leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, as its majority shareholder, acquired for $73 million in May 2022.
Leadership at a Glance
BioCentriq is led by a seasoned team of committed and passionate professionals.
Learn more about this dynamic team who will help bring your therapy from the bench to patients worldwide.
Syed T. Husain
Syed Husain is the Chief Executive Officer of BioCentriq, bringing extensive expertise in CDMO development and manufacturing services for both established and emerging modalities. With a career spanning the entire drug development and commercialization lifecycle, Syed has successfully led companies through periods of rapid growth, go-to-market market innovation, and industry disruption. He excels in global business development strategies, enhancing brand visibility, building high-performing teams, optimizing operations, and driving patient-centered, profitable revenue growth.
Prior to joining BioCentriq, Syed was Chief Commercial Officer at Resilience, where he played a key role in building a world-class commercial organization across biologics, vaccines, cell and gene therapies, and nucleic acids. He established a multi-billion-dollar backlog and opportunity pipeline by securing transformative partnerships with leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies. His leadership also fostered a customer-centric culture, supporting sustainable, patient-focused growth. Prior to that, he served in CDMO leadership roles at Emergent BioSolutions, Alcami Corporation and Lonza. He began his career in vaccine manufacturing compliance at Wyeth and across validation, product and process development and manufacturing roles at Pfizer.
Syed holds a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He serves as an Industrial Advisory Board member for the Otto H York Department of Chemical Engineering at NJIT. He has also served as chair of the Education Committee and on the Advisory Council for the Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association and is involved in the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Society of Biological Engineers, American Institute of Chemical Engineers and American Chemical Society.
Henry Han
Henry Han brings 15+ years of experience to his role as Head of Finance at BioCentriq. He previously served as the Financial and Accounting Team Leader at Ubcare Co. Ltd., which was acquired by GC for $200 million in 2020 and was charged with performing PMI work, such as finance, accounting, IPR, and legal. He headed fund management and cash flow planning and successfully established an e-accounting system to secure stable fund execution and a management process that optimized accounting evidence. Prior to that, Henry was the Finance Team Manager at Green Cross Holdings Corporation, where he was charged with issuing corporate bonds in the public offering bond market, which reached $100 million in 2019. He also managed funds and conducted budget planning, performed governance managing, and managed KPIs. Henry has also previously held the position of Finance Team Assistant Manager at Byuck San Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Chung-Ang University Seoul, Korea.
David Smith, Ph.D.
With 15+ years of experience in the field of regenerative medicine, David’s proven expertise and background in engineering have led to a history of success in advancing cell therapy product manufacturing. His skills and experience include design of experiments, quality-by-design, R&D, data analysis, strong leadership, and cross-functional oversight, among many others. In his role at BioCentriq, he leads MS&T, Process Development, and Analytical Method Development.
As the former Vice President of Technical Operations at Ori Biotech, David led the execution of the technical strategy for Ori’s first innovative technology play in cell therapy manufacturing. He was charged with ensuring the approach remained relevant to industry needs as it matured, requiring a multi-pronged approach to gather information, identify industry needs, align to viable solutions, build a cross-functional team, and support adoption. David’s other prior roles include serving as Director of Research and Development at Minaris Regenerative Medicine.
David has his Ph.D. in Regenerative Medicine from Loughborough University, and he has sat on numerous committees, including chair of ARM’s Science and Technology committee, sitting on ARM’s Cell Therapy Advisory, ISCT Commercialization Committee, ISCT Product and Process Development Subcommittee, ISO Biotechnology Committee, ASME Biotechnology Advisory Panel, PDA Cell and Gene Therapy Committee, and more.
Gina Choi
Gina Choi brings 14+ years of experience in human resources and managing all general affairs for small to mid-sized companies to her role as Head of HR at BioCentriq. She was previously the Human Resources Business Partner for Line Friends Inc., where she managed all HR activity for two offices and stores in New York and California. Prior to that, she was the Human Resources Manager at CJ TMI Manufacturing America and Grand Supercenter Inc. (H Mart). She has experience managing thousands of employees across multiple states while overseeing the full cycle of each position, developing employee handbooks and compensation structure, and providing HR guidance to management level for coaching, counseling, disciplinary actions, and more. She’s managed commercial insurance, workers’ compensation, health insurance, and 401(k) plans. Gina has her Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering with a specialization in Systems Analysis from Columbia University of Paraguay. She is also ServSafe Certified and OSHA 30HR Certified. Gina speaks three languages: English, Korean, and Spanish.
The Story Behind Us
Discover how BioCentriq got its start as the first-ever CDMO located on a university campus—and how we came to be acquired by a company with a major footprint across healthcare sectors.
2016
NJII creates biopharma division.
2017
- Biopharma division delivers training programs to big pharma.
2018
- NJIT agrees to fund the construction of a GMP manufacturing facility for C> on their Newark campus.
2019
- MARCH - Pall Corporation invests $3.5M to support creation of a new manufacturing center.
- NOVEMBER - Pilot plant opens in South Brunswick, NJ.
2020
- FEBRUARY - NIIMBL provides grant to support development of NIIMBL Center of Excellence.
MAY - NJII announces the emerging CDMO will be named BioCentriq.
OCTOBER - BioCentriq opens its Newark, NJ based GMP manufacturing facility.
2021
MARCH - BioCentriq announces partnership with Kytopen.
AUGUST - McKinsey launches the first ever Innovation & Learning Center focused on Life Sciences and operated by BioCentriq.
OCTOBER - Terumo and BioCentriq announce collaboration centered on automation of cell therapy manufacturing.
2022
MAY - GC acquires BioCentriq from NJII for $73 million.
OCTOBER - BioCentriq cuts ribbon on additional GMP facility in South Brunswick, NJ.
JANUARY - Successful Tech Transfer From Avenge Bio Results in Dosing of First Patient
2023
JUNE - BioCentriq launches LEAP™ Advanced Therapy Platform
DECEMBER - BioCentriq successfully produced 20 clinical batches.
2024
JANUARY - Completion of successful Series A fundraising of $29.4 million
MARCH - Partnership agreement with Pluristyx and Autolomous
September - BioCentriq Appoints Syed T. Husain as Chief Executive Officer
- 2022
- OCTOBER - BioCentriq cuts ribbon on additional GMP facility in South Brunswick, NJ.
- MAY - GC acquires BioCentriq from NJII for $73 million.
- 2021
- OCTOBER - Terumo and BioCentriq announce collaboration centered on automation of cell therapy manufacturing.
- AUGUST - McKinsey launches the first ever Digital Capability Center focused on Life Sciences and operated by BioCentriq.
- MARCH - BioCentriq announces partnership with Kytopen.
- 2020
- OCTOBER - BioCentriq opens its Newark, NJ based GMP manufacturing facility.
- MAY - NJII announces the emerging CDMO will be named BioCentriq.
- FEBRUARY - NIIMBL provides grant to support development of NIIMBL Center of Excellence.
- 2019
- NOVEMBER - Pilot plant opens in South Brunswick, NJ.
- MARCH - Pall Corporation invests $3.5M to support creation of a new manufacturing center.
- 2018
- NJIT agrees to fund the construction of a GMP manufacturing facility for C> on their Newark campus.
- 2017
- Biopharma division delivers training programs to big pharma.
- 2016
- NJII creates biopharma division.
JOIN OUR TEAM
We are looking for passionate and driven individuals with a background in cell therapy to join our growing team. If you thrive in a fast-paced, always evolving environment and embrace the mission of making cell therapies accessible to the patients who need them, we want to hear from you! Please browse our current job listings or contact our HR team.