Louis J. Cantolupo’s passion for molecular biology sparked during high school and led him to pursue a degree in biotechnology at RIT. The strong foundation provided by RIT then set the stage for a career launch in the research lab, and then to an MBA from the University of Maryland College Park for a 20+ year journey in business and product development.

From RIT, Louis’s first position was with the NIAID, where he worked as a technician in Dr. Anthony Fauci’s lab, and from there went into the first-generation of companies pioneering gene therapeutics. Following his MBA, he went into business development where he became a recognized expert in the commercialization and partnering of manufacturing platforms for biologics. His entrepreneurial spirit shone through when he founded Omnia Biologics, a GMP contract manufacturer specializing in gene therapeutics, which was later sold to Vigene, to expand their reach into the field, and eventually to Charles River Laboratories.

Louis has also worked for global organizations, including Crucell Holland BV (later, Janssen Vaccines) and then spent four years in France with Valneva SE where he expanded their worldwide reach in vaccine manufacturing technologies. Currently, as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at Primrose Bio, he leads efforts in advancing their platform technologies in partnering programs for complex biologics and supports other strategic initiatives across multiple product lines that will disrupt the existing models of how protein-based therapeutics are produced.

Louis continues to inspire the field in the use of innovations in biotechnology manufacturing, and mentors young scientists and MBA students who seek to build a fulfilling career in the business of biotechnology.