Prolific Machines Appoints Christina Perry as CFO to Drive Biopharmaceutical Growth
Prolific Machines, a leading biotechnology company specializing in using light to control biological processes, has announced the appointment of Christina Perry as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In her role, Perry will be responsible for scaling the company’s growth and strengthening its financial systems to support its expanding commercial efforts. With her extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) sectors, Perry will play a pivotal role in helping Prolific Machines achieve its ambitious business objectives.
Prolific Machines is revolutionizing the development of protein therapeutics through its cutting-edge Photomolecular platform. The Bay Area biotechnology company combines patented optogenetic tools with proprietary closed-loop capabilities, allowing unprecedented control over cellular functions in any cell type. This innovative approach helps biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies address complex protein challenges. By enabling light-controlled gene expression, Prolific Machines enhances the production of therapeutics that are traditionally difficult to produce, improving protein quality consistency and maximizing titer. Additionally, their light-enabled receptor control drives significant cost reductions and shortens production timelines for antibody therapeutics by eliminating the need for growth factors.
Deniz Kent, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Prolific Machines, expressed his excitement about the company’s progress and future. “We’re building a new toolkit to control biology that offers biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies unprecedented control over their processes. As we prepare to announce even more opportunities to leverage our technology in the coming months, we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Christina to Prolific as our CFO,” said Kent. He emphasized how Perry’s extensive biopharmaceutical expertise and business acumen would play a crucial role as the company continues its growth.
Christina Perry joins Prolific Machines as CFO, bringing with her an impressive track record of biopharmaceutical experience. Prior to her appointment, Perry spent four years at Forge Biologics, a company specializing in viral vector gene therapy manufacturing and development. At Forge, she played a key role in building and scaling the company’s finance, accounting, and investor relations functions.
Perry guided Forge through a significant period of growth, from the Series A financing round to the company’s acquisition by Ajinomoto Co. in 2023. During her tenure, Forge raised over $300 million and expanded from a small team of seven employees to over 350. Perry also developed extensive expertise in managing complex legal structures and has led numerous equity and debt financings.
With over 15 years of experience in both public and private sectors, Perry is skilled in scaling businesses through operational efficiency, and her background includes working with various industries, including startups. Early in her career, she worked as a CPA at Deloitte and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Accountancy from Miami University. Perry was recognized as a Woman of Influence by Columbus Business First in 2023.
Perry is excited to leverage her skills and passion for biopharmaceuticals to help Prolific Machines reach its goals. “I have dedicated my career to building winning propositions through strategic fundraising, operational programs, and driving business growth,” Perry said. “When this opportunity came along, it so perfectly married my biopharmaceutical expertise and passion, and I couldn’t be more excited to help Prolific achieve its mission and business goals.”
The addition of Perry to the leadership team marks an important milestone for Prolific Machines as it continues to expand its impact within the biopharmaceutical and advanced nutrition sectors. Prolific’s technology, which is at the forefront of light-controlled biological processes, positions the company to address some of the most challenging protein therapeutic issues. The Photomolecular platform allows for a higher degree of control and precision, paving the way for innovative solutions to complex problems in protein production and antibody therapeutics.
Prolific Machines is rapidly gaining momentum in the biotechnology field. Its advanced technology is already helping companies in biopharmaceuticals and nutrition industries unlock game-changing solutions for difficult-to-produce proteins. By pushing the boundaries of biotechnology with light-enabled control, Prolific is contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future. Supported by prominent investors such as Ki Tua Fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield, SOSV, In-Q-Tel, and others, Prolific is well-positioned to drive innovation and accelerate breakthroughs in the life sciences.
As Prolific continues to grow, the company is excited about the potential for further advancements in biotechnology and the opportunities that lie ahead. Partners and organizations interested in exploring collaboration opportunities with Prolific Machines can reach out at [email protected].
Prolific Machines is poised to shape the future of biology, providing unprecedented opportunities for biopharmaceuticals and advanced nutrition. By harnessing the power of light to control cellular biology, Prolific is not only transforming the protein therapeutics industry but also contributing to a more sustainable and healthier tomorrow.
