ExcellGene celebrates 25 years of biotechnology innovation
Share this article
Based in Monthey (VS) since 2003, ExcellGene last week celebrated 25 years of biotechnology innovation also marking the leadership transition from Maria J. Wurm, former Chief Executive Officer, to its new CEO, Luca Valeggia.
Founded in 2001, ExcellGene was the first biotechnology company in Valais, a spark that gave rise to the entire local biotech ecosystem, which now includes BioArk, the BioAlps network and others.
Spun out of the EPFL lab of Florian M. Wurm, ExcellGene owes its scientific legacy to several groundbreaking technologies. The TubeSpin® bioreactor technology, now used by hundreds of laboratories worldwide, was invented by Dr. Maria J. Wurm while still a Senior Scientist at EPFL. Professor Florian Wurm and co-workers pioneered transposon-based gene transfer in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, another disruptive impact for the industry. At ExcellGene, TubeSpin®, JumpExpress® transposon technology and CHOExpress® cells support young and more established pharma clients from research through manufacturing: Rapid transient expression to accelerate research, and the comprehensive generation of highly productive, stable cell lines ready for commercial-scale production of innovative therapeutic agents.
With more than 600 manufacturing cell lines created and over 50 clinical programs supported, the scientific and technical teams at ExcellGene have proven that therapeutic proteins and vaccine antigens made using CHO- and HEK-based manufacturing processes can be delivered very fast through ExcellGene’s science-driven approach.
“We were here in Valais when pharmaceutical biotechnology was barely a known term, and seeing ExcellGene give rise to an industrial community with hundreds of jobs in and around the BioArk ecosystem is something we are very proud of.” – Maria and Florian Wurm, co-founders of ExcellGene
Luca Valeggia, ExcellGene’s new CEO, is now tasked with carrying this vision forward: strengthening the company’s global commercial presence, while integrating new technologies to accelerate cell line development and optimize production. A balance between innovation and operational excellence that will guide the company and its soon-to-be 70 employees.
“Our ambition is to build on ExcellGene’s scientific excellence, expand our global reach and help customers bring innovative biologics closer to patients. I look forward to shaping this journey together with our team and partners.” – Luca Valeggia, CEO of ExcellGene
➡️ Source: Press Release | 📸 ©ExcellGene, ExcellGene’s Team