Mara Aspinall

Mara Aspinall, the founder and former CEO of Waltham, MA-based On-Q-ity, has moved on to become president of Ventana Medical Systems, an Arizona-based division of healthcare giant Roche that focuses on cancer diagnostics. The appointment was announced in a press release today and is effective next month.

Aspinall is well known in the diagnostics world, having previously served as president of the genetic testing unit of Cambridge, MA-based Genzyme. On-Q-ity, which started in 2009, focuses on molecular diagnostics for cancer. The startup’s website still lists Aspinall as a founder and director, but makes no mention of a successor (or search for one) yet.

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (Ventana), a member of the Roche Group, announced today the appointment of Mara Aspinall to the role of President, Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.  Aspinall was most recently Founder, President, and CEO of On-Q-ity, a start-up diagnostics company focused on circulating tumor cell technology.

Prior to this, Aspinall spent twelve years with Genzyme Corporation where she held senior leadership roles such as President of Genzyme Genetics and President of Pharmaceuticals.  While at Genzyme, her considerable international experience spanned operations, R&D, mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, product and market positioning and expansion, as well as financial planning and performance.

“Mara brings a track record of success at Genzyme and a wealth of diagnostics industry experience to this important role,” said Daniel O’Day, COO, Roche Diagnostics.  “In line with Ventana’s mission to improve the lives of all patients afflicted with cancer, she will be working closely across Roche divisions and with our business partners with a focus on enabling our customers to deliver the absolute highest standards of patient care and business performance available globally.”