We are scientists, not salespeople.
We love to solve complex problems, not create them.
We believe that sourcing the right biomaterials should be an easy item to check off your to-do list, not a research roadblock.
We’re Ignyte Bio, and we do things differently.
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Scientific Officer
Director of Operations
Director of Lab Operations
Chief Executive Officer
Ponni has over 20 years of experience in biotechnology research and leadership. Her work in cell and gene therapy at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center contributed to the launch of many successful immunotherapy companies, including Juno Therapeutics and Nohla Therapeutics. While at the University of Washington Medical Center, she positioned the cell and gene therapy facility for a robust academic and industry partnership.
Ponni joined Cellero (formerly Astarte Biologics) as the Director of Business Development. At Astarte Biologics, she directed the business strategy for merger and acquisition leading to the acquisition by Charles River Laboratories. Recently, she was the Associate Director of Research Services and Product Development at Charles River Laboratories, where she spearheaded product development for COVID-19 research materials and was instrumental in establishing a new site in Washington.
Ponni received her M.Sc. in Medical Biochemistry from Christian Medical College and M.Sc. in Biology from York University. She graduated from the Executive MBA program at Seattle University with recognition and awards for business planning from the University of Washington Foster School of Business and Seattle University Albert’s School of Business.
Polyclonal chemo protection against temozolamide in a large animal model of drug resistance gene therapy. Blood. 2005.
Rapid 1-hr transduction of whole bone marrow leads to long term repopulation of murine recipients with lentivirus-modified hematopoietic stem cells. Gene Therapy. 2005.
The structural basis for methylmalonic aciduria. The crystal structure of archaeal ATP:cobalamin adenosyltransferase. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2004.
Tissue-specific regulation of cytochrome c oxidase subunit expression by thyroid hormone. American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2004.
Efficient marking of murine long-term repopulating stem cells targeting unseparated marrow cells at low lentiviral vector particle concentration. Molecular Therapy. 2004.
In vivo administration of interferon γ does not cause marrow aplasia in mice with a targeted disruption of FANCC. Experimental Hematology. 2002.
The crystal structure of hypothetical protein MTH1491 from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum. Protein Science. 2002.
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Tjoa has over 25 years of experience in the biotechnology industry, holding leadership positions in research and product development at several biotechnology companies. He was a founding member of Northwest Biotherapeutics, where his work led the company to initiate a phase 3 clinical trial for a prostate cancer vaccine.
Most recently, Dr. Tjoa was the Chief Scientist at Astarte Biologics, where he directed the scientific teams responsible for research services as well as product and assay development. When Astarte Biologics rebranded as Cellero, he continued his role as the Vice President of Research and Technology.
Ben received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, Department of Biochemistry and completed his thesis work in Molecular and Cellular Immunology. He has published over 20 scientific articles and earned two patents.
Development of a TCR beta repertoire assay for profiling liquid biopsies from NSCLC donors. Cancer Drug Resistance. 2020.
Generation and analysis of human T cell lines responsive to Glatiramer Acetate. American Academy of Neurology. 2018.
Chemotherapy followed by syngeneic dendritic cell injection in the mouse: findings and implications for human treatment. Urology. 2007.
Dendritic cell based vaccines: progress in immunotherapy studies for prostate cancer. Journal of Urology. 2004.
Evaluation of phase I/II clinical trials in prostate cancer with dendritic cells and PSMA peptides. Prostate. 1998.
Presentation of prostate tumor antigens by dendritic cells stimulates T-cell proliferation and cytotoxicity. Prostate. 1996.
Measurement of prostate-specific membrane antigen in the serum with a new antibody. Prostate. 1996.
Generation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes to a self-peptide/class I complex: a model for peptide-mediated tumor rejection. Cancer Research. 1994.
Diversity of T cell receptor-alpha chain transcripts from hyperimmune alloreactive T cells. Journal of Immunology. 1992.
Sequence diversity of T cell receptor alpha chain transcripts from BALB/c thymus. Molecular Immunology. 1992.
Murphy G.P.; Boynton A.L.; Tjoa B.A. Isolation and/or preservation of dendritic cells for prostate cancer immunotherapy. Application Number US5788963. Filed July 31, 1995.
Tjoa B.A.; Bosch M.L. Generation of dendritic cells from monocytic dendritic precursor cells with GM-CSF in the absence of additional cytokines. Application Number: US8389278. Filed February 27, 2004.
Director of Operations
Brian has over 30 years of experience in global logistics, facilities operation, production coordination, and customer service. For over 15 years, he managed teams of 100+ employees in multiple facilities for Expeditors, a Fortune 500 logistics company. Most recently, Brian was the Operations Manager for Cellero, formerly Astarte Biologics, where he developed an innovative inventory and process management system for global shipping and logistics while positioning Cellero as the gold standard for customer service.
Director of Lab Operations
Monica has 30 years of laboratory experience in cellular, biochemical, and immunological research at several biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies in the Seattle area. Her work has contributed to the development and production of several commercial products, including ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) while at Seagen, Inc. Monica is well-recognized for her expertise in assay development and validation at various CROs.
Most recently, Monica was a Research Scientist at Cellero, formerly Astarte Biologics, where she led successful innovations in immune assay and product development, including antigen-specific T cells, regulatory T cells, and COVID-19 research materials.
Monica received a Bachelor of Science from Washington State University.
Isolation and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Protein Conformational Epitopes Present in Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA). Hybridoma. 2000.
Stephen R. Jaspers, Scott R. Presnell, Monica Huber: Antibodies that bind both IL-17A and IL-17F and methods of using the same. Patent # 7790163. Filed April 27, 2007
Stephen R. Jaspers, Scott R. Presnell, Monica Huber: Antibodies that bind both IL-17A and IL-17F. Patent # 8609099. Filed July 8, 2010.
