Business

Dr. Ricardo Baptista Takes the Helm as SmartCella’s New CTO and Procella Head

STOCKHOLM, April 19, 2024 - SmartCella Holding AB heralds a new era in its operation with the appointment of Dr. Ricardo Baptista as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Head of Procella. Dr. Baptista, a seasoned Biochemical Engineer, brings to the table nearly two decades of global experience in the medical biotechnology sector. His addition fortifies SmartCella's executive leadership, enriching its strategic capabilities and augmenting its global reach from its Stockholm headquarters.

SmartCella, a trailblazer in biotechnological advancements, is poised to escalate its evolutionary journey in stem cell and RNA-based therapeutics, bolstered by Dr. Baptista's appointment. The company, recognized for its groundbreaking work and FDA-approved Extroducer delivery device, benefits from a robust internal infrastructure, a high-caliber team, and a substantial project pipeline, positioning it to deliver unrivaled value to its shareholders and cater to patient needs effectively.

From the CEO's Desk: A Milestone Moment Niklas Prager, CEO of SmartCella, regards the induction of Dr. Baptista as CTO and Procella Head as a landmark achievement for the organization. "We are elated to amplify our team with Ricardo's exceptional expertise," says Prager. He envisions that Dr. Baptista's profound experience in cell and gene therapies will be pivotal for SmartCella's strategic pursuits, particularly in ushering targeted cell-based therapies into clinical trials. Dr. Baptista's entrepreneurial spirit is expected to propel the company toward commercialization and enrich its project pipeline significantly. His leadership skills are considered indispensable as the company continues to nurture its dynamic culture across the SmartCella family.

A Visionary Leader's Perspective Dr. Ricardo Baptista expresses his enthusiasm for joining SmartCella, attributing his decision to the company's innovative synthesis of state-of-the-art technologies in the development and delivery of novel patient therapies. As SmartCella aligns with the advanced therapies sector's broader perspectives, it promotes interdisciplinary strategies and a culture teeming with innovation. Approaching clinical trial preparations, Dr. Baptista is eager to refine the capabilities across technical, quality, and manufacturing divisions, as well as to devise strategic roadmaps that minimize developmental risks with a focus on the end commercial product. Dr. Baptista is inspired by the teams' dedication and passion, which he believes stimulates a culture of scientific and technical inventiveness. He is confident in SmartCella's forthcoming prominence, both within Sweden and the global health biotech arena.

Dr. Baptista's Expertise and Contributions With a PhD in Biochemical Engineering, Dr. Baptista brings depth to SmartCella with nearly two decades of hands-on experience in cell therapy process development and Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC). He has steered teams that crafted processing and analytical platforms across various therapeutic modalities. His unique blend of engineering prowess and process know-how has been integral to the evolution of scalable cell therapy manufacturing approaches at distinguished organizations like Procella Tx, Cellectis, CGT Catapult, CCRM, and Alder Therapeutics. Notably, Dr. Baptista has also played a significant role in developing clinical-grade induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines and designing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facilities, establishing him as a comprehensive leader in the field.

Contact Information

For further information, please reach out to Niklas Prager, CEO, at +46 768 117744 or via email at [email protected].

The Innovation Behind SmartCella Holding AB

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, SmartCella is redefining therapeutic interventions with its novel combination of delivery platforms, encompassing the best of cell and mRNA technologies. SmartCella's operation spans three business units - Smartwise, SmartCella Solutions, and ProCella - each contributing uniquely to the vision of unlocking new possibilities in targeted therapies.

Smartwise: A Pioneering Approach to Drug Delivery

Smartwise, a division of SmartCella, has engineered the Extroducer, a pioneering endovascular device that pioneers direct-to-tissue drug delivery. This breakthrough technology fulfills a critical demand in novel therapeutic applications by facilitating targeted delivery of various therapeutic agents to solid tumors or areas requiring tissue repair. Its compatibility with standard equipment and routine interventional radiology methods allows for safe and precise drug delivery to otherwise inaccessible tissues. In June 2022, the Extroducer received regulatory nod from the US FDA, signalling a new chapter for Smartwise as it seeks to license this technology on a global scale.

SmartCella Solutions: Revolutionizing mRNA and Cell-Mediated Therapies

Furthering SmartCella's mission, SmartCella Solutions has been focusing on groundbreaking mRNA therapies and novel cell-mediated delivery platforms. These innovations facilitate localized protein expression, potentially bridging significant gaps in current therapeutic practices. Currently, SmartCella Solutions is not only seeking partnership for out-licensing but is also actively developing its proprietary therapies.

ProCella: Advancing Stem Cell Innovations

ProCella, another formidable branch within SmartCella, is at the forefront of developing proprietary stem cell therapies coupled with an in-house cGMP manufacturing prowess. A notable development from ProCella is a cardiac progenitor cell therapy, which has progressed through GLP toxicological studies and is on the cusp of a phase 1 clinical trial for heart failure. The company has also recently finalized the construction of a clinical GMP manufacturing facility, endorsed by Swedish authorities and equipped for production – a fundamental asset for ProCella's expanding pipeline of therapy developments.

Learn More and Connect To discover more about SmartCella and its innovative quests, visit their website at www.smartcella.com. Moreover, SmartCella maintains a vibrant presence on LinkedIn—stay updated and engaged by following their LinkedIn page.

This press release is sourced from Cision News. For additional information and updates from SmartCella Holding AB, including the official announcement regarding Dr. Ricardo Baptista’s new role, please refer to https://news.cision.com/smartcella-holding-ab/r/smartcella-strengthens-team-with-dr-ricardo-baptista-as-cto,c3964284.

The company has made available for download related materials including a press release detailing Dr. Baptista’s appointment as well as a photographic representation for 2024. These files can be accessed via the following links:

• Press release https://mb.cision.com/Main/21365/3964284/2744590.pdf “Press release Ricardo Baptista CTO 240419”
• Photograph of Ricardo Baptista https://news.cision.com/smartcella-holding-ab/i/ricardo-baptista-2024,c3290993 “Ricardo Baptista 2024”

The Future of SmartCella Under Dr. Baptista's Guidance

As SmartCella pivots to this significant leadership transition, the biotech community eagerly anticipates the advancements that will emerge under Dr. Baptista’s guidance. With a robust foundation established by the previous management team, SmartCella is strategically primed to leap into a future where its pipeline of next-generation cell-based therapies can be accelerated towards clinical translation and eventually, widespread medical application.

The company’s focus on intracellular and RNA-based treatments combined with Dr. Baptista’s rich history in process development and CMC provide a confluence of expertise that is rare in the biotech industry. His proven track record of spearheading technical teams and his comprehensive background in bioprocessing and clinical-grade production are expected to drive innovation and streamline the pathway from research to market.

Cultivating a Culture of Excellence and Innovation

SmartCella’s commitment to a culture of excellence and innovation has been a consistent theme in its growth narrative. This ethos is echoed in Dr. Baptista’s previous work, where fostering team creativity and thought leadership were central to his approach. As he steps into his new role, the integration of such a culture across SmartCella's diverse business units is anticipated to yield a collaborative, results-driven environment that may well set new industry standards.

Embracing a Patient-Centric Approach

In line with its innovative edge, SmartCella retains a patient-centric approach to its projects. Dr. Baptista’s strategic vision is aligned with this philosophy, as he emphasizes the importance of developing targeted therapies that can significantly impact the quality of life for patients. The company’s dedication to creating therapies that address complex medical conditions is exemplified by ProCella's upcoming clinical trials and Smartwise's Extroducer, set to transform the landscape of personalized medicine.

Expanding Global Outreach

Under Dr. Baptista’s leadership, SmartCella is expected to expand its global outreach, both in scientific collaboration and commercial presence. The CTO's extensive global experience equips him with the insight needed to negotiate the diverse regulatory landscapes and foster international partnerships that SmartCella requires to propel its technologies to the forefront.

Building a Sustainable Biotech Ecosystem

In today's fast-evolving biotech space, SmartCella's strategic initiatives are not just focused on immediate outcomes but are also tailored for sustainability. Dr. Baptista’s expertise will be instrumental in constructing scalable practices that not only meet current industry demands but also anticipate future trends and challenges. This forward-thinking approach is set to cement SmartCella’s status as a leading-edge company in the global biotechnology market.

As Dr. Ricardo Baptista assumes leadership, SmartCella is on track to make significant strides in the field of medical biotechnology. Through strategic innovation, a commitment to excellence, and a vision for global expansion, the company is well-positioned to transform the face of healthcare and improve patient outcomes across the world.