Ronawk lauds departing chief science officer as she launches her own biotech startup

Kansas City’s life sciences ecosystem continues to expand, the founders of Ronawk said Monday, celebrating plans for the Overland Park biotech company’s chief scientific officer to launch her own venture — returning to her roots in diagnostics and drug development, and growing the region’s culture of innovation.

Dr. Amy Manning-Boğ is transitioning from her role at Ronawk after a year at the company, which pioneers advanced biomanufacturing platforms for cell and gene therapy, regenerative medicine, and biodefense applications. Her last day is set for Dec. 12.

“With our scientific and engineering programs now firmly established, this transition represents a positive evolution for both Amy and Ronawk,” said Dr. A.J. Mellott, co-founder and CEO of Ronawk.

Joining Ronawk during a pivotal stage of its growth, Mellott said, Manning-Boğ has been a driving force in shaping the company’s scientific direction, strengthening its collaborative network, and helping to establish the foundation for its preclinical and regulatory programs.

Dr. Amy Manning-Boğ; photo courtesy of Ronawk

“I am deeply proud of the scientific and strategic progress we achieved together, and I look forward to contributing to Kansas City’s rapidly growing biotechnology community in new ways,” said Manning-Boğ, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside Mellott, co-founder Heather Decker, and company president Tom Jantsch, during Ronawk’s transformation.

Her new standalone venture is in stealth mode, but remains within the biotech industry, said Manning-Boğ, who previously served as vice president of drug discovery and translational development for Atreca, as well as chief innovation officer at MRIGlobal.

As CSO at Ronawk, Manning-Boğ’s insight and leadership helped position the company at the forefront of regional biomanufacturing innovation and contributed to the growing national attention on Kansas City’s emerging biotechnology community, Mellott noted.

“Amy has been instrumental in solidifying our science and expanding our collaborations,” he said. “Her decision to focus on ecosystem growth reflects the momentum and opportunity Kansas City is creating in biotechnology. We are excited for her next chapter and the impact she will continue to have on our community.”

Her insight and experience also helped connect vision to execution and strengthen Ronawk’s collaborative culture, added Decker, chief technology officer at Ronawk.

“We are proud to see her carry that spirit into a new venture while Ronawk continues advancing its own programs,” she said. “This is exactly how thriving ecosystems grow, through shared success and collaboration.”

Both Ronawk and Manning-Boğ remain aligned in their commitment to advancing innovation and strengthening the regional and national biotechnology ecosystem, Mellott added.

“Ronawk’s mission has always been to strengthen the biotechnology ecosystem through innovation and by developing top scientific leaders,” he said. “We look forward to continued collaboration with Dr. Manning-Boğ as Kansas City’s biotechnology community expands and attracts greater national attention.”