Faces of Technology
Seeing the Future of
Gene Therapy
As a teenager, Sue Washer had a keen
interest in science and math, with aspirations
of becoming a veterinarian. Today, she is
continually intrigued to understand the human
body and nature, and to learn and discover
new things.
After college, she applied her scientific interests
in a large pharmaceutical company and was
inspired by the process of people working
together, putting new ideas into practice
and helping patients. Making technology
accessible and effectively getting it into the
hands of a patient drives Washer – and in 2014
it drove her to take a company founded in the
research labs of the University of Florida in 1999
to an initial public offering, while helping to
secure more than $100 million in funding along
Sue Washer
the way.
Washer is Gainesville’s Applied Genetic
President/CEO |
Applied Genetics Technology Corporation (AGTC),
www.agtc.com
Technologies Corporation president and
CEO. She joined the team in 2001 and quickly
Education:
B.S. in Biochemistry, Michigan State University;
MBA in Marketing, University of Florida
became an invaluable asset due to her unique
background in science and business, rising
Company:
L
ocated in Gainesville, AGTC is a clinical stage biotechnology
company developing adeno-associated, virus-based gene
therapies for the treatment of rare eye diseases, offering hope
to patients with unmet medical needs.
to lead the company in 2002. After earning
a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from
Michigan State University, she found scientists
needed help navigating the business world and
received her MBA from the University of Florida.
AGTC uses gene therapy to develop cures
to cure a disease – however, while delving into the varied pieces of the puzzle
for rare eye diseases, including age-related
she got hooked on the work. She may no longer spend her days at the bench
macular degeneration, which affects 1.6 million
as a research scientist, but she admits it would be fun to go back on occasion
people in the United States. The company
and enjoys talking about the science as her favorite part of the job. Now, her
develops techniques to replace broken genes
puzzle pieces include a company running smoothly and providing direction for
that lead to the disease and allow the body
advancements made at the research bench.
to heal itself. During clinical trials, animal
subjects could see better after three months
As she grows the company, she keeps in mind everything that is worth achieving
of treatment. Patients that are legally blind
is also probably challenging. Washer is persistent and her drive is seemingly how
could have the ability to one day see again – to
such innovation in eye health has been possible through AGTC.
possibly drive, live alone and be self-sufficient.
“We are very excited about the work we do,” said Washer, “and the fact that we
Washer was intrigued by the simple nature
have the potential to make a real impact on people’s lives with our technology
of the technology – delivering correct genes
continues to drive us forward.”
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