Meet the board

At Föreningen ATMP Sweden (fATMP Sweden), our board members are committed to supporting the development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), towards better care for patients in need. The board represents expertise across the ATMP pipeline, including industry, clinical research, and healthcare and share a vision to support and continue to build communication and collaboration between ATMP stakeholders. The board believes in the value of the established ATMP Sweden communication and coordination platforms and aim to not only strengthen the existing network but to improve development efficiency through identifying and closing gaps in the development pipeline.

Agneta Edberg – Chair

With over 25 years in leadership roles at Pharmacia, Pfizer, and Mylan, Agneta Edberg has guided drug development from clinical trials to market access. Her extensive experience spans the entire lifecycle of drug development, ensuring treatments reach the patients who need them most.

For the past 15 years, Agneta Edberg has focused on board assignments in Swedish SMEs, particularly in advancing cell and gene therapies. She has actively participated in Vinnova-funded projects like Bio-Mat-Cell, CAMP, and NextGenNK, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in the ATMP sector.

Through her work, Agneta Edberg highlights that streamlined processes and cooperation among stakeholders lead to cost-effective treatments for patients. She is dedicated to fostering inclusive networks, education, and knowledge generation within Föreningen ATMP Sweden (association), welcoming all members of the ecosystem to join and contribute to the ongoing innovation in healthcare.

Gisela Helenius – Secretary

Unit lead ATMP-Center, clinical studies Sweden – Forum South, Skånes University Hospital

Gisela Helenius brings valuable expertise in clinical trials, hospital associated GMP manufacture and the implementation of ATMP in healthcare to the association.

Her focus lies in coordinating efforts across various functions essential for ATMP integration, including donation, hospital pharmacy, treatment clinics, and collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry. Gisela’s experience ensures effective coordination to streamline processes and enhance the implementation of advanced therapies in healthcare.

Dag Larsson

Senior Policy advisor, LIF

Dag Larsson is dedicated to supporting the development of a strong and competitive Swedish ecosystem around ATMP. This includes addressing system challenges in research translation, manufacturing, clinical research, and patient access to approved treatments. Dag has participated in the Swelife-ATMP Health Economy project and the ATMP2030 core team. 

Through his involvement in developing a national collaborative function for ATMP, Dag aims for the association and initiative to enhance collective competitiveness. With many years of experience in various associations, he hopes to bring practical value to ongoing collaborations and drive forward the advancement of ATMPs in Sweden.

Kerstin Sollerbrant

Senior expert, research at The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund

Kerstin Sollerbrant, Senior Expert at The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund, associate professor at Karolinska Institute, and patient representative in EMA’s Committee for Advanced Therapies, emphasizes the significance of ATMPs for “difficult-to-treat” diseases, including many cancers, rare, and genetic diseases.

The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund acknowledges the importance of this field and the need to elevate the patient’s perspective in medicine development. Through ATMP Sweden, Kerstin aims to contribute to faster access to safe and effective innovative therapies for patients who need them the most.

Åse Rosenqvist

Nordic Business Unit Lead Cell Therapy, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Åse Rosenqvist champions ATMPs and cell gene therapy as transformative treatments for severe cancers and other challenging diseases, offering new hope to patients and families.

With a focus on market access and operational readiness of treatment centers, Åse brings extensive experience from leading CAR-T therapy initiatives in the Nordic market. Her involvement in starting the SWECARNET competence network for CAR-T and roles in CAMP and the Swelife-ATMP Health Economy project highlight her commitment to early patient access and collaboration within the healthcare system.

Alexandra Karström

Head of Cell & Tissue Therapy at Plastic Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital

With a career spanning from the Karolinska Institute to Uppsala University Hospital, Alexandra Karström heads the Tissue Establishment at the Department for Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery. Her work includes the production of autologous keratinocytes, processing allogeneic donor skin, and autologous partial skin for burn patients, under the Swedish Medical Products Agency’s approval.

Alexandra’s extensive experience in manufacturing cell products and ATMPs for clinical use is complemented by her national roles, including chairing the National Expert Group for Cell and ATMP Therapies (VOG Cell), and being a board member of the National Research School for ATMP and CAMP. Her contributions to quality certifications and accreditations in healthcare further enhance her impact on ATMP Sweden.

Lilian Walther Jallow

Chief Development Officer, BOOST Pharma ApS

Lilian Walther Jallow, Chief Development Officer at BOOST Pharma ApS, has been a developer in the cell therapy field since 2004, focusing on CMC and RA in both academic and industrial settings.

Over the years, she has witnessed many promising drug candidates stall during translation. Her key priority is to facilitate the early development stages to ensure new drugs move beyond academic research and early-phase trials to ultimately reach the clinic. Her dedication to overcoming these barriers is vital for the advancement of effective treatments in the cell therapy field.

Anders Lindahl

Senior professor MD, PhD

Anders Lindahl brings extensive expertise in ATMP, particularly through his pioneering work with autologous cartilage cell transplants for treating secondary osteoarthritis since 1994. This technique has been adopted globally, benefiting over 50,000 patients.

Anders’s contribution to ATMP Sweden includes his profound knowledge in medical, cell culture, technical, and regulatory domains. His international network and ability to facilitate agreements will further strengthen the organization’s initiatives.