MATFORS, Sweden, June 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sweden-based NorthX Biologics (“NorthX”), which focuses on process development and GMP manufacture of advanced biological drugs, has announced the appointments of Lotta Ljungqvist, Richard Bergström, Mathias Uhlén and Lars Backsell to its board of directors.
“These industry veterans have helped build Recipharm, one of the largest CDMOs in the world. They have coordinated national vaccine programs and built European life science industry organizations and been the CEO of GE for the Nordics. They have also built innovative biotech companies with drugs reaching patients. It is an honor to serve with them to build NorthX Biologics to new heights!” said Thomas Eldered, Chairman of NorthX Biologics.
NorthX Biologics is a Nordic and European leader in plasmid DNA production and manufactures recombinant protein on a large scale for use globally. In 2021 it was recognized as a National Innovation Hub by the Swedish Minister of Enterprise and received support from the Swedish Innovation Agency, Vinnova, to help SMEs make the transition to clinical manufacturing and eventual commercialization.
“The strengthening of the board further cements our position as a leading European biologic and ATMP manufacturer. Our new directors will allow us to tap into expertise and networks that will help us transition to manufacture cell therapies and mRNA and to further improve our current DNA and protein manufacturing processes,” said Ted Fjällman, CEO NorthX Biologics.
Richard Bergström was appointed Sweden’s vaccine coordinator during the Covid-19 epidemic. This position included securing national vaccine access and producing a national vaccine plan. Prior to this, he was Director General of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and served for nine years as the Director General of LIF, the Swedish Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry.
This follows positions in Switzerland in regulatory affairs at pharmaceutical companies Roche and Novartis. He has also served on the board of the Karolinska Institute.
Lotta Ljungqvist held the position of President and CEO of GE for the Nordic Region, and from 2017 to April 2022 CEO of Cytiva’s Testa Center for BioProcess Innovation. Her focus was to bridge the gap between industry, SMEs, and academia. She serves as a board member in several organizations including AroCell, BioLamina, BioArctic, Atlas Antibodies, Genovis and Vinnova. She is also the Chair of SwedenBIO, the leading Swedish industry organization for innovative biotech companies as well as Chair of the Biotechnology Division at the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.