Cell Medica bolsters senior management

London-based cellular therapeutics company Cell Medica has made four key appointments.

Dr Rainer Knaus joins the company as senior vice president. He has over ten years experience in the GMP manufacturing of cell therapies and has previously managed the commercial launch of the first stem cell product in Germany.

Rainer will oversee European activities, including manufacturing, product development and regulatory requirements.

Mike Ramsay joins as head of US operations, moving to the company from Cell Genesys, where he was senior vice president of operations.

He has over 20 years experience in the US biotech industry and will lead the company’s US business activities, establishing a US business infrastructure that will include R&D partnerships with leading academic research institutions.

Karen Hodgkin joins as head of clinical development, a role that will see her manage the company’s confirmatory clinical trial currently running across 14 major hospitals in the UK.  

Finally, Tina Crombie joins as head of business administration. Tina’s experience in IP management, project management and business administration includes previous positions in academic, public and commercial science-based organisations.  

Chief executive of Cell Medica Gregg Sando said: “We are pleased to have assembled a highly competent team of professionals who are executing the cell therapy development program with great commitment.

“Together with the investment capital and grant funding we have secured in 2009, we hope to begin marketing our lead cell therapy product in 2010 and to continue development of additional applications. We want to see the unique benefits of these innovative treatment techniques reaching patients as soon as possible.”