David Blackmon
David Blackmon is an accomplished biotechnology professional with over 13 years of experience specializing in Cell and Gene Therapy. As the Director at Alcyone Therapeutics, David leverages his extensive expertise in molecular biology, including single-cell cloning, digital PCR, qPCR, and both viral and non-viral delivery approaches like LNPs. He is adept at applying cutting-edge techniques such as NGS, RNA-Seq, PK assays, ligand binding assays, cell-based assays, flow cytometry, and LC/MS to advance gene therapy research.
David holds a Master's degree in Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology and has developed a strong focus on gene therapy (AAV, LNP, miRNA), gene editing (ZFN), and cellular therapy (CAR-T). His deep understanding of GLP and GCP bio-analytical methods supports both clinical and non-clinical studies, ensuring the successful development of novel therapeutic approaches.
At Alcyone Therapeutics, David plays a pivotal role in developing innovative gene therapies targeting neurological disorders, including orphan indications. He excels in designing and executing nonclinical assays that are critical for all phases of study, including safety, tolerability, and efficacy evaluations. His work also involves identifying and developing clinical biomarkers for target engagement and overseeing the bioanalytical studies conducted in collaboration with CROs and academic core labs.
Prior to his current role, David was a Senior Scientist at Novartis Gene Therapies, where he managed and developed methods for clinical and non-clinical studies supporting IND and BLA submissions. His contributions included the development and validation of assays for biodistribution, CAR gene expression, vector copy number, and protein expression.
David’s expertise in precision drug delivery, AAV, miRNAs, and LNPs, combined with his leadership in method development and validation, makes him a key figure in advancing the field of gene therapy. His commitment to innovation and excellence drives the success of Alcyone Therapeutics in addressing complex neurological disorders with cutting-edge therapies.