Lifecore Biomedical Names Mark DaFonseca Chief Commercial Officer

Core Insights - Lifecore Biomedical has appointed Mark DaFonseca as chief commercial officer, bringing nearly 30 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, particularly in contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) [1][2] - DaFonseca will focus on executing a three-pronged growth strategy aimed at enhancing Lifecore's brand, expanding customer partnerships, and growing the business portfolio through new collaborations [1][3] Company Background - Lifecore Biomedical is a fully integrated CDMO specializing in the development, fill, and finish of sterile injectable pharmaceutical products, including complex formulations [7] - The company has over 40 years of expertise in manufacturing premium, injectable-grade hyaluronic acid and serves global biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies [7] Leadership Experience - Prior to joining Lifecore, DaFonseca held significant roles at CordenPharma, AmbioPharma, and CoreRx, where he led sales, marketing, and project management efforts [2] - His track record includes consistently exceeding key performance indicators in various sales leadership positions within the CDMO sector [2] Strategic Goals - DaFonseca expressed eagerness to leverage Lifecore's assets to strategically grow the business by expanding current customer relationships and increasing the overall customer base [4] - The company aims to enhance its market presence and address the industry's capacity needs through investments in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment [4] Compensation Details - As part of his appointment, Lifecore will grant DaFonseca a restricted stock unit (RSU) award for 20,000 shares and an option for 30,000 shares of common stock [4][5] - The RSU will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, while the stock option will have a vesting schedule based on continued employment [6]