"We are exploring opportunities to collaborate with startups and incubators"

Agilent Technologies, a global leader in analytical and clinical laboratory technologies, has named Padraig McDonnell CEO-elect and Chief Operating Officer (COO), succeeding current President and CEO Mike McMullen.

- Hithaishi C Bhaskar

Upon joining Agilent's Board of Directors on May 1, 2024, McDonnell will become company's President and CEO. In an exclusive interaction with BioSpectrum Asia, both outgoing and incoming CEOs shared their vision for strengthening the life-science potential during their recent visit to the Asia Pacific hub in Singapore. 

How is Agilent advancing cell and gene therapy modalities to enable next-gen therapeutics and applications? What are Agilent's strategies for further stabilising its footprint in APAC?

Mike McMullen: Agilent has always been ahead of the curve and aligned with the latest trends in the bioscience industry. The company has achieved a global footprint in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied markets with sales offices, logistics centres, and manufacturing facilities in three major regions. In 2015, Agilent spun off key parts of its operation to become a purely biotechnology company. After acquiring Seahorse Bioscience for $235 million in 2015, Agilent then acquired BioTek Instruments in 2019, & subsequently integrated with Seahorse Bioscience. Together, these three interdisciplinary portfolios give us a very complementary suite of technologies for analysis of cell metabolism & functions. These technologies are likely to be in high demand. Ultimately, Agilent Singapore remains a key operational zone with important investments, especially in the development of new modalities, such as CAR-T cells. Furthermore, in September 2023, Agilent Technologies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Advanced Cell Therapy and Research Institute, Singapore (ACTRIS), to develop cell-based therapy advancement. The collaboration aims to boost the nation’s role as a leading cell & gene-therapy manufacturer & clinical services enabling translational research & development.