Kevin Ballinger to Assume CEO Role at Aldevron; Michael Chambers to become Executive Chairman

FARGO, N.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Attracting one of med-tech’s most accomplished executives, Aldevron has named Kevin Ballinger as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 13, 2020. Aldevron’s co-founder, Michael Chambers, has been named Executive Chairman of the board. Chambers initiated the transition to allow him to focus on innovation, corporate strategy and working with clients and industry thought leaders to develop new technologies that enable genetic medicine. Ballinger will assume day-to-day operational leadership of Aldevron, facilitating the company’s rapid growth.

Ballinger joins Aldevron from Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX), a global medical device leader whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. He brings 25 years of operating experience, including serving the past nine years as Executive Vice President and Global President of Boston Scientific’s largest division, Interventional Cardiology (IC). As one of Boston Scientific’s most tenured executives, Ballinger helped advance the company’s market leadership, growing the IC division into a $3 billion global business. A native of Minnesota, Ballinger earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, and his MBA from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.

“It is an honor and privilege to be joining Michael and the Aldevron team at this pivotal time,” Ballinger said. “Genetic medicine is vital, now more than ever, and Aldevron is a key partner in helping to bring life-changing therapies to countless patients whose lives depend on biotechnology breakthroughs. I look forward to helping the company continue to grow its capabilities as developments in science rapidly advance."

Commenting on the leadership appointment, Chambers stated, “This is a new era for Aldevron. I am excited to partner with Kevin, who has the ideal combination of experience and drive, and together serve our clients during this important next phase in our company’s history. Aldevron is well-positioned to continue our leadership position in manufacturing critical nucleic acids and proteins in support of our clients, who are creating technologies to help millions of people.”

“Speaking on behalf of the board, Michael has helped shape the industry as we know it today,” said Sheri McCoy, Non-Executive Chairman of the board. “We are thrilled to appoint Kevin as CEO and know that he is the right person to help build on this momentum. He will provide a strong focus on Aldevron’s core values and its commitment to clients and their work. This new partnership between Michael and Kevin will help the company unlock new opportunities in the biotech industry.”

About Aldevron

Aldevron is a privately held company, founded in 1998 on the campus of North Dakota State University by Michael Chambers and John Ballantyne, currently serving as Chief Science Officer. As a leader in the manufacture of plasmid DNA, proteins, gene-editing enzymes and mRNA for the biopharmaceutical industry, Aldevron’s biologics are used by thousands of researchers across the globe and have been incorporated into many of the FDA approved gene therapies. The company is currently expanding its 14-acre headquarters in Fargo, N.D., with the addition of a second GMP manufacturing facility that adds more than 189,000 square feet of capacity, scheduled to open in early 2021. It is also expanding its facilities in Madison, WI, and Freiburg, Germany. The company currently employs nearly 600 people across its three locations.