Legato Biologics is a rising star in the biologics contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO) space, offering end-to-end CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) solutions. Headquartered in Mount Prospect, Illinois of the United States, Legato Biologics serves a global clientele with a comprehensive suite of services that span from early discovery to Phase 2 clinical trials. Our mission is to provide highest-quality, efficient, and regulatory-compliant solutions to accelerate the development of cutting-edge biologics.
With a state-of-the-art 35,000-square-foot research and manufacturing facility in the Western Suburbs of Chicago, Legato Biologics is equipped to support the full biologics development lifecycle. Our facility houses scalable bioreactors ranging from 2L to 500L, enabling seamless process development and production optimization. In addition, our in-house fill-finish capabilities ensure the timely and compliant supply of clinical trial materials for Phase 2 studies, further strengthening our position as a trusted partner in the biologics industry.
At Legato Biologics, quality and regulatory excellence are at the forefront of our operations. Our cGMP-compliant facility is recognized by the US FDA, ensuring adherence to the highest industry standards. Whether you are looking to advance a novel therapeutic candidate from discovery to the clinic or scale production for mid-stage clinical trials, Legato Biologics provides tailored solutions designed to meet your unique needs with speed and precision.
Partner with Legato Biologics Biopharmaceuticals for a streamlined, expert-driven approach to biologics development and manufacturing—where innovation meets reliability at every step.
A Subject Matter Expert (SME) with 25+ years of biopharmaceutical industry experiences, proficient in global industrial regulations and international guidelines (FDA, EMA, NMPA, ICH etc.). He has rich and unique experience in operation and management of quality management system (QMS), commercial GMP manufacturing, process optimization for both biologics and monoclonal antibody production. As a principal consultant prior to joining Sparx in 2021, Mr. Mao has led and participated in many projects for several major global biopharma in the fields of GMP facility design & construction; GMP production start-up, compliance audit & inspection and QMS establishment etc.
Mr. Mao has earned degrees of MBA and BS in Biology. He is a member of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), the Chinese Antibody Society (CAS), and the Chinese-American Pharmaceutical Development Association (SAPA).
Dr. Jichun Ma is a highly accomplished protein and antibody drug scientist with over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He possesses extensive expertise in therapeutic antibody development, covering the entire pipeline from discovery to clinical stages. His technical proficiency spans structural biology, genetic engineering, protein expression, purification, and characterization.
As Vice President, Dr. Ma leads process development research for biologic drug candidates, including monoclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). He has been instrumental in securing two FDA-approved INDs and continues to support the development of innovative antibody therapeutics.
Before joining Sparx, Dr. Ma held key positions at leading institutions such as Cleveland Clinic, Janssen R&D, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he made significant contributions to structural biology and antibody discovery. Dr. Ma earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Kyushu University, Japan.
Anthony obtained his B.S. in Chemistry from The Ohio State University and then obtained his Ph.D. from The University of Wisconsin – Madison where he investigated the utility of organotin reagents in synthesis.
Anthony has authored or co-authored 30+ publications and been an inventor/co-inventor on 50+ patents/patent applications.
Dr. Jingdong Qin is a highly accomplished scientist and industry leader with over 20 years of experience in biopharmaceutical development, specializing in stable cell line development, scale-up process optimization, and upstream cGMP production. Prior to Legato Biologics, Dr. Qin served as the Vice President of Process Research at SparX Biopharmaceutical Corp., where he leads efforts to advance therapeutic production. Dr. Qin was an Associate Professor at the University of Chicago, contributing to groundbreaking research and innovation. With a strong background in both academia and industry, he has a proven track record of driving scientific discovery and delivering innovative solutions to biopharmaceutical challenges.
Takeshi Honda, Ph.D, Chair, Scientific Advisory Board
Takeshi Honda has >25 years experience in leadership position at Daiichisankyo Co. Ltd. After he graduated from Tokyo University where he earned his Ph.D., then was post-doctor in Scripps Research Institute, he focused on medicinal chemistry of small molecule and new modalities such as ADC and glycoengineering in Daiichsankyo Co. Ltd. He was an inventor of Inavir® and Enhertu® and more than 8 clinical candidates. He was director of ADC and Sr. research advaiser in Daiichisankyo Co. Ltd.
Dr. Hongyu Zhao received his BS and Ph.D degrees from Beijing Medical University and University of Minnesota, respectively. He worked at Abbott/Abbvie for 19 years and published 40 peer-reviews papers in addition to over 20 patents. Dr. Zhao served as an industrial advisor for the NIH Molecular Probe initiative and Chief Editor of Yaoyuan, where he penned over 2000 articles analyzing major biotech events.