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OUR LEADERSHIP

Introducing iXCells’ Executive Leadership and Scientific Advisory Board

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Helge Bastian, PhD

CEO
Dr. Bastian, with 30+ years of global leadership experience at leading life sciences and healthcare companies, joins iXCells, bringing extensive knowledge from technology-driven companies such as M2GEN (now Aster Insights), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Indivumed, Sigma-Aldrich (now part of Merck KGaA), SGS and QIAGEN. Currently a Board Member for Molecular Assemblies (San Diego) and Strategic Advisor for PreComb Therapeutics (Switzerland), he also advised startups in the USA and Europe, advancing next-gen sequencing and molecular diagnostics. Holding a Ph.D. from the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goettingen, Germany; an alumnus from Columbia Business School, NY.
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Nianwei Lin, PhD

President & Co-Founder
Nianwei is an accomplished executive leader with expertise in cell biology and cell technology. He holds a Ph.D. in genetics from the University of Florida's College of Medicine and has extensive research experience at prestigious institutions such as the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute and Pfizer's investigative tox team. As the president and co-founder of iXCells Biotechnologies, Nianwei has been instrumental in establishing the company as a leading provider of innovative cell-based solutions.
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Lynn Zhang, PhD

Board Member & Co-Founder
Lynn is a Board Member, Co-Founder, and former CEO, bringing extensive expertise in executive leadership and business development in contracted biological/pharmaceutical research services. With a Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology and a strong background in cellular and molecular biology research, Lynn's multifaceted skill set enhances our senior leadership team. Her profound knowledge spans sales, science, and operations, driving our growth and scalability objectives.
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Wayne Vaz

VP, Corp. Development & Commercial Operations
Wayne is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in the life science industry. He specializes in driving organic and inorganic growth strategies for cell-based products, technologies, and services in drug discovery, biopharmaceutical , and cell, gene, and immunotherapy manufacturing. Wayne has held senior management positions at renowned companies including Millipore Corp., Serologicals Corp, Celliance, Intergen Company, and Canada Packers Biochemicals Group.
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Steve Smith

Chief Commercial Officer
Steve Smith, Chief Commercial Officer at iXCells, boasts over 25 years of life science industry excellence. Known for his innovative leadership and strategic vision, Steve excels in driving growth through a unique mix of technical knowledge, market insight, and strong interpersonal skills. An "out of the box thinker," he has a proven track record in building customer relationships, leading cross-functional teams, and tackling complex challenges with ease. His effective communication, consultative sales approach, and dedication to scientific advancement have not only enhanced customer loyalty but also led to notable patents in therapeutics and technology.
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Minqing Rong, PhD

VP, In Vitro Biology
With over 30 years of hands-on experience and a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology, Minqing is a seasoned executive leader with a strong expertise in scientific research. As the VP of Biology Research, he has a proven track record of leading successful teams and achieving remarkable results. His responsibility is to build and nurture our exceptional scientific team, ensuring the delivery of products and projects for our clients. In this role, he provides valuable mentorship and training, contributing to our company’s growth and success.
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SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD

Don W. Cleveland

  • Chair, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine (UCSD)
  • Distinguished Professor Of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Medicine, and Neurosciences (UCSD)
  • Member, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

Pengzhe (Paul) Lu

  • Adjunct Professor, UCSD Header of spinal cord injury research group, Center For Neural Repair, UCSD
  • Member of Ad Hoc Committee, Department of Neurosciences, UCSD