San Sebastián – – October 19, 2026 -- Viralgen, the AAV gene therapy contract manufacturer owned by Bayer unit AskBio, has appointed Bayer executive Angela Ochoa Chico as chief executive effective January 1, 2027, replacing Jimmy Vanhove after four years in the role.
Vanhove moves to lead Bayer's U.S. pharmaceutical supply network expansion
Vanhove will lead the development and expansion of Bayer's U.S. Pharmaceutical Product Supply Network, based in New Albany, Ohio. He will join the Pharmaceuticals Division's Product Supply Leadership Team.
Ochoa Chico brings nearly 20 years of pharmaceutical operations experience
Ochoa Chico currently serves as Product Supply Strategy & Excellence Lead at Bayer's Pharmaceuticals Division, where she has worked on global manufacturing strategy and performance across the Product Supply network. Earlier, she led manufacturing and quality organizations in Mexico. She also held global roles in operations, regulatory affairs, supply chain and strategic network management.
She will work with Vanhove and the Viralgen team in the coming months to manage the handover.
Viralgen grew to more than 70 customers and partners under Vanhove
During Vanhove's tenure, Viralgen expanded its facilities, infrastructure and process development capabilities. It moved from an emerging CDMO to an end-to-end AAV specialist covering early development through commercial-scale manufacturing. Its portfolio now includes more than 70 customers and partners worldwide, and the company supports more than 15 ultra-rare disease foundations.
Viralgen employs more than 450 people in San Sebastián, Spain. It operates one of the world's largest facilities dedicated to AAV-based gene therapy manufacturing, with integrated process development, clinical and commercial production, quality control and fill-finish.
Ochoa Chico said she intends to advance Viralgen's manufacturing capabilities and strengthen its standing as a gene therapy manufacturing partner.