Kyes, Makis Join ViroCell Business Development Team

Roles focused on expanding ViroCell’s CDMO business in the U.S. and Europe.

By Anthony Vecchione

10.04.23

ViroCell Biologics, a specialist contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) in cell and gene therapy clinical trials, appointed Traci Kyes vice president of business development (US) and Makis Sigalas as senior business development director (Europe). Focused on driving growth in the US and Europe, respectively, Traci and Makis bring a wealth of business development expertise to ViroCell from roles across CMDO businesses focused on cell and gene therapy.

Makis brings over 25 years of biopharmaceutical experience marked by contributions to the development of innovative biotechnology products and successful businesses. Most recently, he was director of business development at Catalent Cell and Gene Therapy a CDMO specializing in advanced therapeutics. Makis also worked at the UK’s Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult as a business development manager. In both roles, Makis was focused on forging and maintaining relationships with cell and gene therapy clients to ensure continued business growth.

Kyes has a proven track record of identifying and managing operational and commercial opportunities for life sciences CDMOs and will leverage this to lead ViroCell’s business growth in the U.S. She previously served as director of global business development within the viral vector service team at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Prior to this, Kyes was the director of business development and later vice president of commercial operations at Arranta Bio, a biotechnology research CDMO. Kyes also previously worked as a business development director at Brammer Bio, a viral vector manufacturer for cell and gene therapies.

John Hadden, CEO at ViroCell, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Traci and Makis to the business development team at ViroCell, significantly strengthening our capabilities and expanding our opportunities in two of our key markets. As we scale and seek to become the partner of choice for cell and gene therapy innovators, the operational and developmental expertise that Traci brings, combined with Makis’ entrepreneurial experience, will be invaluable in shaping ViroCell’s future.”

Kyes said, “I’m excited to be joining ViroCell as it embarks on its next phase of growth as a specialist cell and gene therapy CDMO. I look forward to embedding myself into the team and working alongside industry experts to deliver an exciting growth strategy, with a particular focus on building our US business.”

Sigalas said, "ViroCell is an innovation driven CDMO that can positively impact patients around the world by supporting cell and gene therapy development with its experience and state-of-the-art facilities. Europe has an exciting cell and gene therapy ecosystem that ViroCell’s services could help accelerate and I am delighted to be a part of this journey alongside the members of team ViroCell."