#Denmark #Copenhagen #Cell Therapy #Miguel Forte #Blue Cell

Blue Cell Therapeutics Welcomes Miguel Forte

In a significant move for its strategic direction, Blue Cell Therapeutics has announced the appointment of Dr. Miguel Forte, a leading figure in cell therapy, to its Board of Directors as a Non-Executive Director. Dr. Forte's rich experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, particularly in cell and gene therapy, positions him as an invaluable asset for Blue Cell as it looks to expand its innovative treatments.

Dr. Forte currently serves as the President of the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT). With over two decades of operational and strategic leadership experience, he has been instrumental in shaping numerous cell therapy companies. His reputation in the field precedes him, thanks to his proven track record in cultivating corporate structures and securing essential funding for breakthrough therapies.

A Visionary Leader for Innovative Therapies

In his new role at Blue Cell Therapeutics, Dr. Forte emphasizes the company's commitment to developing allogeneic stem cell treatments aimed at addressing substantial unmet medical needs. These include serious conditions like erectile dysfunction (ED) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), where traditional therapies often fall short. Dr. Forte noted, "Blue Cell’s vision to manufacture effective therapies at scale aligns perfectly with my background and experience, and I look forward to contributing to its pioneering technologies."

Søren P. Sheikh, the CEO of Blue Cell Therapeutics, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the unique combination of Dr. Forte’s deep scientific knowledge and extensive leadership experience, which will greatly enhance Blue Cell's objectives. "With his insights, we are well-positioned to advance our mission of developing scalable, curative treatments."

Background and Achievements

Dr. Forte's expertise encompasses a range of leadership roles across the biopharmaceutical sector. He is the current CEO of Kiji Therapeutics, where he develops engineered off-the-shelf cell therapies targeted at inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Additionally, Dr. Forte has held board positions at respected organizations such as Swarm Oncology and Akatsuki Therapeutics, and previously served as CEO of Bone Therapeutics and Zelluna Immunotherapy, where he made considerable impacts through financing and strategy development.

His background in regulatory affairs, both in Portugal and with the European Medicines Agency (EMA), adds another layer to his capacities, making him a well-rounded leader in navigating the complex landscape of biotechnology regulations.

Dr. Forte holds an MD specializing in Infectious Diseases from the University of Lisbon, a PhD in Immunology from the University of Birmingham, and has furthered his studies in Health Technologies Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics. He is also a Fellow of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine at the Royal College of Physicians in the United Kingdom.

Advancing Blue Cell's Mission

Blue Cell Therapeutics focuses on developing innovative allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cell therapies. Its flagship product, BlueC-231, is currently in development for treating severe erectile dysfunction, particularly following radical prostatectomies. This therapy promises to address underlying causes such as poor blood flow and nerve damage, potentially offering a more effective solution than existing treatments, which often fall short.

Research has shown encouraging results, with clinical trials indicating that a significant percentage of men who received autologous therapy regained erectile function. Transitioning to an allogeneic approach enhances the scalability and manufacturing processes, allowing for a more consistent and cost-effective solution.

In addition to ED, the company’s work on therapies targeting pulmonary arterial hypertension has demonstrated promising outcomes in preclinical models, emphasizing the robustness of their therapeutic technology.

In summary, Dr. Miguel Forte’s appointment at Blue Cell Therapeutics is pledging a future of innovation and hope in the realm of cell therapy. As the company pushes forward with its groundbreaking technologies, the insights and leadership of Dr. Forte will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the future of treatment advancements in these challenging medical areas.