Michael Ehlers leaves Ascidian Therapeutics to head R&D at Formation Bio; Black Diamond co-founder passes away at 67

Michael Ehlers has stepped down as chief executive of Ascidian Therapeutics, the exon‑editing company he co‑founded, to take on the role of head of research and development at Formation Bio, an AI‑focused biotechnology firm.

At Ascidian, Ehlers helped build a platform aimed at precise gene editing, positioning the company as a contender in the emerging exon‑editing space. His move to Formation Bio signals the firm’s intent to deepen its scientific capabilities and accelerate its pipeline.

In a separate note, the biotech community learned that the co‑founder of Black Diamond, a venture firm that has backed numerous life‑science startups, died at age 67. The announcement highlighted his contributions to early‑stage financing and mentorship within the sector.

Both developments underscore the ongoing talent shifts and personal losses that shape the industry’s landscape.