Appoints Mark R. Bamforth as CEO to Drive Growth at Kincell Bio
Kincell Bio, a leader in the cell therapy development and manufacturing sector, appoints Mark R. Bamforth as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Mark, who has served as Chair of the Board since May 2024, brings decades of industry expertise to the role. His appointment will be pivotal in advancing Kincell Bio’s mission to support innovators in the fast-growing cell therapy sector.
Kincell Bio appoints Mark to the CEO position, drawing from his extensive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Mark has previously founded and served as CEO of three successful Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs): Arranta Bio, Brammer Bio, and Gallus Bio. His deep understanding of the CDMO landscape and his ability to form strong client partnerships appoint him as a key player in driving strategic initiatives that align with Kincell Bio’s mission.
During his long career, Mark has built a reputation for successfully developing strong partnerships and executing strategic initiatives that meet client needs. Prior to his work in the CDMO sector, Mark spent 22 years at Genzyme Corporation, where he led the global operations team. This background appoints Mark as a leader who will play a crucial role in advancing Kincell Bio’s goal of providing high-quality, innovative solutions for clients in both the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
“I am thrilled to take on this new role and build on the solid foundation Bruce Thompson has established,” said Mark Bamforth. “I look forward to working closely with Bruce and the talented team at Kincell Bio to expand our cell therapy CDMO business and meet the growing development, clinical, and commercial launch needs of clients, ranging from innovative biotech firms to established Fortune 500 companies. Our goal is to help these companies address the critical unmet needs of patients.”
Bruce Thompson, PhD, who has served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Kincell Bio, will continue in his role and will remain central to the company’s technical direction. As CTO, Bruce will continue to lead the internal process and analytical development teams and drive the development of allogeneic therapies, stem cell, and iPSC-derived products. Bruce’s leadership in this area appoints him as a vital resource for Kincell Bio’s continued technical growth. He will also partner with technology solution providers, further strengthening Kincell Bio’s leadership in the sector.
“I am excited to partner with Mark as we work together to strengthen Kincell Bio’s technical development capabilities,” said Dr. Thompson. “The team we have built is strong, and with Mark’s leadership, we are even better positioned to meet the complex cell therapy needs of our clients. By expanding our process and analytical development capabilities through internal development and partnerships, we aim to solve challenges related to scale, complexity, and performance in the rapidly evolving cell therapy sector.”
Kincell Bio continues to appoint itself as a key player in the field of cell therapy by offering tailored solutions for innovators. The company provides industry-leading process and analytical development, as well as early and late-stage clinical Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) manufacturing capabilities. These services appoints Kincell Bio as an essential partner for biotech and pharmaceutical companies navigating the complexities of cell therapy production and commercialization.
The company is focused on supporting the development of immune cell therapies, including autologous and allogeneic CAR-T, CAR-NK, and CAR-M programs. Furthermore, Kincell Bio is expanding its expertise in stem cell products and iPSCs, which hold great promise in regenerative medicine. Through its extensive dedication to process and analytical development, Kincell Bio appoints itself as an invaluable resource to clients in overcoming the significant challenges of scaling up production and ensuring therapy quality and consistency.
“Cell therapy is a rapidly advancing field with immense potential to transform the treatment of a variety of diseases,” said Mark Bamforth. “At Kincell Bio, we are excited to play a role in bringing these life-changing therapies to market, and we are committed to helping our clients navigate the complexities of product development, manufacturing, and regulatory approval.”
With its dual locations in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and Gainesville, Florida, Kincell Bio is strategically positioned to serve the growing needs of the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. The appointment of Mark Bamforth as CEO will ensure that Kincell Bio continues to expand its influence and capabilities in the cell therapy field. His leadership will guide the company as it supports clients developing the next generation of therapies to improve patient outcomes.
In summary, Mark Bamforth’s appointst as CEO marks an exciting new chapter for Kincell Bio. His extensive experience and leadership will be instrumental in expanding the company’s services and capabilities to meet the increasing demand for cell therapies. Kincell Bio appoints Mark as the CEO at a time when the company is positioned to strengthen its impact on the industry, helping clients overcome the challenges of developing and commercializing innovative therapies.
