Group Leadership Team
Celonic Group is an internationally active biotechnology service company which is part of the JRS Pharma Group. Our headquarters is located in Basel, Switzerland, one of the most important cities for pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Our second facility is in Heidelberg, Germany, a historical city of science and culture.
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Celonic Services
We are ambitious. Driven with the courage to think big and the commitment to GET IT DONE !
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Samanta Cimitan is the Chief Executive Officer at Celonic Group and a member of the Executive Committee since June 2022.
With more than 20 years of experience working, teaching, and studying in Life Sciences, Samanta is an expert in the CDMO industry, holding a deep and unique combination of scientific, commercial, and operational expertise.
Samanta joins from Lonza Group, after almost thirteen years of holding several leadership positions across multiple commercial and strategy functions. Most recently, she was Vice President of Lonza Group Operations Strategy, developing and leading transformational programs across R&D, Operations, and Commercial functions.
Prior to joining Lonza, Samanta was Head of Business Ventures Life Sciences for Ciba AG/ BASF with responsibility for global teams across technical development, business development, and marketing.
Samanta holds a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Bologna, Italy, along with a master’s degree in Industrial Chemistry.
WHAT ASPECT(S) OF YOUR WORK MOTIVATES YOU?
Celonic operates within the dynamic CDMO space, where each day gives us the unique opportunity to brainstorm the development of breakthrough bio-solutions of the future together with our biotech customers. I am passionate to further build and deliver outstanding manufacturing services and an exceptional customer experience together with the highly skilled and collaborative team at Celonic.
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR CELONIC?
I strongly believe in Celonic’s commitment to increasing biotherapeutics manufacturing effectiveness and addressing the unique customer challenges along the product lifecycle to develop tailored-made solutions for long-term partnerships and mutual success. As a united team working towards the same vision, we thrive to drive accelerated growth and customer satisfaction based on Celonic’s essence and core values of empathy, efficiency, and excellence.
Executive VP Quality Management
Dr. Renato Wirthner is the Executive Vice President of Quality Management at Celonic Group. He has been appointed as EVP QM in 2018.
He joined Celonic in 2013 as Manager of Quality Assurance, and he was later on named Senior Director. Renato is the QA correspondent for all departments and customers. He ensures that quality goals of the company are set and quality requirements are met. He is responsible for quality overview in production campaigns.
Originally from Switzerland, Renato studied biochemistry and biotechnology at ETH of Zurich. In 2007, he completed his PhD in Molecular Physiology at the Institute of Physiology – University of Zurich. A year later, he started his career in the quality department of CSL Behring AG and worked in different Quality Management roles before joining Celonic as Quality Assurance Manager. Renato has extensive experience in Business Excellence, Quality Management and Quality Assurance.
What motivates you to lead Celonic over others?
Having the opportunity to create and improve with engaged and motivated people within an attractive and competitive organization, for sustainable successes of its customers, employees and other stakeholders.
What is your vision for Celonic?
Renato’s vision for Celonic is to be a premium CDMO. Be recognized for business excellence inspired by creative people in a multi-cultural environment.
Head of Global Engineering
Dr. Matthias Meyer is the Head of Global Engineering and a member of the Executive Committee at Celonic Group since September 2022. As Head of Global Engineering, he aims to strengthen the company’s focus on operational excellence, in particular building highly efficient development and manufacturing facilities that deliver outstanding services and unparalleled customer experience through product quality, safety and on-time delivery. He brings a wealth of experience to this role from his 20-year-long career.
Matthias holds a Process & Chemical Engineering diploma and a Doctorate of Engineering from the Technische Universität Braunschweig. He joins Celonic Group from Novartis, after 10-years of several leadership positions in the headquarters and at affiliate sites including California and Singapore where he built several Site Engineering Organizations. Importantly, Matthias also led the breakthrough build-up of the Cell & Gene Therapy manufacturing facility that is changing the lives of patients today.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AT CELONIC?
Celonic Group aims to be a premium CDMO and our Heidelberg site wants to add significant value to the Group by becoming a flagship site manufacturing life-saving therapeutics. We aim to be the first choice for our customers and people.
Site Manager Heidelberg
Dr. Simon Bulling joined Celonic Group in January 2023 as Site Manager in Heidelberg and is a member of the Executive Committee.
Previously, Simon Bulling served as President of Sterile Fill-Finish and Executive Committee member at Recipharm, where he led the business unit’s global commercial and operational strategy to ensure strong execution and performance against targets. Dr. Bulling also held various senior positions at Rentschler Biopharma SE, where he led the company’s transformation program. Prior to that, he worked with various CDMO`s such as Vetter Pharma KG and Sandoz. His proven track record in leadership (hierarchical and matrix), strong business acumen and extensive experience in the CDMO industry complements the Executive Committee in the context of the company’s operational and strategic development.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AT CELONIC?
Making Celonic a passionate and trusted partner – the global CDMO of choice.
From bioprocess development to full cGMP clinical and commercial manufacturing, to provide life-saving biopharmaceuticals to the society.
Step I: Transform Heidelberg to lay the foundation for future growth.