Antonio Vernacchio
About Antonio Vernacchio
Antonio Vernacchio serves as the Vice President of External Manufacturing at Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., where he leads a global team in clinical manufacturing and manages a substantial portfolio of contract manufacturing organizations. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, bringing extensive experience in operations and regulatory compliance across multiple leading biotech companies.
Work at Sangamo Therapeutics
Antonio Vernacchio serves as the Vice President of External Manufacturing at Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. since 2022. In this role, he leads a global team that manages Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical manufacturing for various therapies, including Fabry disease, sickle cell disease (SCD), CAR Tregs, central nervous system (CNS) disorders, and oncology. He implements governance structures such as the Manufacturing Council and oversees the Manufacturing Strategy and Digital Manufacturing Strategy, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
Education and Expertise
Antonio Vernacchio holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University, which he completed from 1995 to 2000. He also studied General Studies at Central High School, earning a diploma from 1991 to 1995. He is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and is trained in Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), showcasing his expertise in process improvement and supply chain management.
Background
Antonio Vernacchio has a diverse professional background in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He began his career as a Manufacturing Engineer/Co-op at Merck from 1998 to 1999. He has held various positions at notable companies, including GSK, BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., and Bristol Myers Squibb, where he gained extensive experience in manufacturing operations and supply chain management.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Antonio Vernacchio has managed a portfolio of 13 Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) with an annual budget of $40 million across the US and Europe. He has been responsible for the entire CMO lifecycle, including requests for proposals (RFPs), selection, contracting, tech transfer, qualification, manufacturing, and decommissioning. He also partners with regulatory and technical operations teams to assist in the preparation of regulatory filings.