Touchlight has appointed Will Downie as interim chief executive officer, replacing Karen Fallen, who is stepping down after leading the company since November 2020.
Downie joins the executive role after working with Touchlight as an adviser and board member since January 2025. The company did not disclose why Fallen is leaving, an effective departure date or a timetable for appointing a permanent chief executive.
During Fallen’s tenure, Touchlight obtained a Good Manufacturing Practice license for its synthetic DNA facility in London and established its contract development and manufacturing business, according to the company.
Downie brings more than 30 years of experience in pharmaceuticals and life sciences, including leadership positions in pharmaceutical services and contract development and manufacturing organizations.
Most recently, he was chief executive of Argenta, which provides contract research, development and manufacturing services for the animal health sector.
Before Argenta, Downie led Vectura Group, a company focused on inhaled drug development. He also spent a decade as chief commercial officer at Catalent and held earlier commercial and leadership roles at GE Healthcare, Sanofi and Merck.
Touchlight founder and Executive Chair Jonny Ohlson said Downie’s experience in contract development and manufacturing would support the company’s work in cell and gene therapies.
The company said Downie’s existing involvement as an adviser and director would provide continuity during the leadership transition.
Downie said he would work with Touchlight’s team and clients on advanced therapy development and manufacturing challenges.