Cellcolabs Enters Next Growth Phase with Appointment of Vincent Metzler as CEO
Cellcolabs strengthens its leadership team as the company enters its next phase, focused on advancing key opportunities, strategic collaborations and scaling its stem cell platform.
Stockholm, Sweden, May 28th — Cellcolabs today announced the appointment of Vincent Metzler, PhD, as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1.'
The appointment marks an important milestone as Cellcolabs enters its next phase of growth and development. Founded in 2021, the company has built a strong foundation in stem cell production, operations and partnerships and is now moving forward with increasing focus around selected indications where the company sees strong potential. At the same time, Cellcolabs continues to advance its studies and strengthen the evidence base supporting future development.
Vincent Metzler brings more than 25 years of international experience across biotech and biopharma, including leadership roles spanning cell therapy, rare diseases, commercialisation, fundraising, strategic partnerships and company building.
“Cellcolabs has achieved a great deal in a short period of time and is now entering an exciting new phase,” said Maria Rankka, Chair of Cellcolabs. “We see encouraging progress across our trials and growing potential within osteoarthritis and other selected indications, creating exciting opportunities for the company going forward. Vincent brings highly relevant experience as we continue focusing the company, strengthening partnerships and preparing for the next phase of development.”
Most recently, Dr. Metzler advised biotech companies on fundraising and commercialisation strategy. Previously, he served as CEO and Board member of Kither Biotech, where he led strategy development and a successful EUR 18.5 million Series B financing. He has also held leadership positions at Atara Biotherapeutics, Wilson Therapeutics, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Miltenyi Biotec, Roche and Amgen.
His experience from scaling organisations, building partnerships and supporting commercial growth will be valuable as Cellcolabs continues developing its platform and advancing opportunities within regenerative medicine.
"I am excited to join Cellcolabs at this stage of the company’s journey,” said Vincent Metzler. “The company combines strong scientific capabilities with industrial production capacity and a mission with significant potential. I look forward to working together with the team, Board, shareholders and partners to support the company’s next phase of development.”
Petter Hallman will return to his role as Deputy CEO and COO and support Dr. Metzler and the team in the transition. As previously communicated, former CEO Mattias Bernow has supported the company during the spring and will leave Cellcolabs in June as part of the leadership transition.
About Cellcolabs
Cellcolabs is a Swedish biotechnology company specialising in the large-scale production of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Cellcolabs’ mission is to prevent and treat disease through the industrial production of high-quality stem cells. The MSCs produced by Cellcolabs for use in research and clinical studies at several leading university hospitals follow the same production protocol developed over 25 years by Professor Katarina Le Blanc at Karolinska Institutet. Cellcolabs was founded in 2021. The company’s investors include Titian Capital, Norrsken Launcher and prominent angel investors and family offices.
As part of its mission to accelerate the development of stem cell research and treatments, Cellcolabs sponsors clinical trials through its subsidiary, Cellcolabs Clinical.