OptiCell Solutions – A Key Player in Cell and Gene Therapy Establishes in Flemingsberg

Flemingsberg continues to be a natural choice for knowledge-intensive and innovative businesses. OptiCell Solutions is a company that recently launched its operations at Novum Labs on Campus Flemingsberg. Founded in 2024 by specialists from Karolinska University Hospital and entrepreneurs from the Life Science industry, the company specializes in improving the availability of high-quality target cells for cell and gene therapies, a critical component of the growing ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products) sector.

Collecting High-Quality Target Cells – A Bottleneck
“Rapid access to high-quality cells can save lives,” says Jarmo Henriksson, CEO and the visionary founder of the newly established company OptiCell Solutions. Using advanced apheresis technology*, OptiCell Solutions enables the collection of cells from voluntary study participants, cell donors, and patients without delays.

“We aim to enhance access to new treatment options for patients with chronic diseases, offering our services to biotech companies, pharmaceutical companies, medical technology firms, CROs, and healthcare providers,” explains Jarmo Henriksson.

Flemingsberg – A Strategic Choice
OptiCell Solutions has chosen Flemingsberg as the base for its operations, a hub for innovation in Life Science and a growing ATMP cluster. Located near the Karolinska ATMP Center and Karolinska University Hospital, and within the flexible laboratory hotel Novum Labs, the company benefits from proximity to leading research and healthcare institutions.

“This geographical location supports the company’s vision of simplifying cell collection and accelerating the development of cell and gene therapies.”

Patient-Centered and Efficient Approach
OptiCell Solutions’ technology, called leukapheresis, enables the gentle and efficient collection of necessary cells. This method can yield at least 20 times more target cells compared to standard blood donations, while returning the blood to the donor for increased safety.

“At OptiCell Solutions, we prioritize creating a safe and comfortable environment for cell donors. With our apheresis technology, bright facilities, and comfortable treatment chairs, we ensure high-quality cell materials while providing a positive experience for donors,” says Jarmo Henriksson.

What Are Your Future Goals?

“OptiCell Solutions’ long-term goal is to become a leading player in cell collection for cell and gene therapies. We see great potential in Flemingsberg as a future center for innovation and collaboration within Life Science,” says Jarmo.

Finally, Jarmo shares that OptiCell Solutions also envisions supporting the development of precision medicine by ensuring access to high-quality target cells across Europe, a crucial factor for the success of biological drugs and innovative treatments.

*Apheresis technology involves separating blood into its components using centrifugation during ongoing leukapheresis.

Jarmo Henriksson
Novum Labs

Jarmo Henriksson

Career: Jarmo is the CEO and one of the founders of OptiCell Solutions. He is a licensed specialist nurse, as well as the founder and owner of OptiCell Solutions AB. He has 30 years of clinical experience at Karolinska University Hospital in the field of cell and organ transplantation, where he has served as the head of the Apheresis Unit for the past nine years.

Hobbies: “I enjoy working out at the gym, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.”

Novum Labs

Are you just starting out and looking for an innovative environment with state-of-the-art lab spaces and room for growth? Welcome to Novum Labs, a cutting-edge coworking concept where research and development take center stage.

Here we offer:

– Modern and bright laboratory and office spaces
– Access to meeting rooms and communal areas such as the cafeteria and locker rooms
– Lab services
– Cleaning services
– Tailored lease agreements for life science operations

A national resource for tomorrow’s treatments – Karolinska ATMP Center is now inaugurated

With a clear message of hope for the future and a powerful spirit of collaboration, the Karolinska ATMP Center in Flemingsberg was inaugurated at the end of August. The center is a collaboration between Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital and will serve as a national resource for the production of advanced therapies (ATMPs), where research, clinical trials, and treatments work seamlessly together to deliver groundbreaking therapies to patients.

Meetings That Shape the Future: Flemingsberg Science at Almedalen

In June this year, the foundation took part in the annual Almedalen Week, the world’s largest democratic meeting place for everyone who wants to join the discussions on current societal issues. This year, we had a special focus on Life Science, an area and cluster that has long been a natural part of Flemingsberg, and which is now growing stronger than ever.

Meet us at NLSDays

In the south of Stockholm you’ll find Flemingsberg, home to a vibrant life science cluster that’s rapidly emerging as an attractive location for life science companies. Here, academia, business and society form a dynamic ecosystem, fueling innovation and growth. And with more companies establishing and collaborations further deepening, the opportunity to expand and invest have never been greater. This year, we are therefore participating in NLSDays in Gothenburg, where we will showcase Flemingsberg's unique strengths and invite more stakeholders to become part of our thriving life science environment.

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