Who is Cellex
Our vision/our DNA
History
2001: Foundation of Cellex
Prof. Gerhard Ehninger, MD founded Cellex as a collection center for peripheral stem cells. Thus, he pursued the goal of securing the supply for people with leukemia, who are reliant on blood stem cells.
Until 2018, he was head of hematology and oncology at Dresden University Hospital. Under his leadership, in 1986, the first successful transplants of unrelated blood stem cells in Germany were carried out at the Tübingen Medical Clinic. In 1991, he co-founded the DKMS Donor Center gGmbH.
2009: Cellex Collection Center Cologne
Cellex opened another collection center for blood stem cells and bone marrow in the Mediapark Clinic in Cologne. Over 50,000 blood stem cell collections and bone marrow collections have been carried out in Cologne and Dresden since it was founded.
2013: Cellex Transport and Logistics
In 2013, Cellex expanded its scope to provide every service along the whole supply chain. Since then, we have offered fast and reliable cell transports. Whether by freight shipment or courier delivery, nationally or worldwide, Cellex has completed all the necessary approval processes and is accredited as a known consignor.
2014: Cellex enters the field of cell and gene research (CGT)
In 2014, Cellex begins developing innovative approaches for the immunotherapy of leukaemia and cancer. The first preclinical work is carried out in the field of bispecific antibodies and a novel adapter CAR-T system in Dresden. A production facility is built in Cologne to support proof-of-concept studies in academic and biotechnology companies.
2015: Cellex Foundation
In 2015 Cellex established the Cellex Foundation to promote international tolerance and encourage scientific progress based on open discussion and the cooperation of people worlwide.
2016: Cell Community
To effectively support the development of new cell therapies, Cellex began establishing a donor database in 2016 called the “Cell Community”. Its donors make it possible for Cellex to offer starting material for research, clinical trials, and commercial use.
2019: Cellex Cell Manufacturing Plant
Cellex built a state-of-the-art construction facility in Cologne-Ossendorf. At this site Cellex creates both its own products and products for customers.
2021: AvenCell Therapeutics
Blackstone Life Sciences, Cellex Cell Professionals, and Intellia Therapeutics launched the CAR-T cell company AvenCell Therapeutics with registered offices in Boston and Dresden. It focuses is on the development of allogenic universal CAR-T cell therapies for immuno-oncology.
2023: Expansion of the Manufacturing Plant
We opened the third construction phase of our state-of-the-art laboratory facility in Cologne-Ossendorf.
Team
Dr. Armin Ehninger
Managing Director
Chief Scientific & Strategic Officer (CSO)
Prof. Gerhard Ehninger MD
CEO Chief Executive Officer
Cellex Cell Professionals
Carla Kreissig
Cellex Manufacturing Transports & Logistics (CEO),
Cellex Cell Professionals, Cellex Medical Services (CMO)
Cell Community
Everyone can contribute to the fight against cancer. This is why Cellex has founded the Cell Community, which supports cancer research with cell donations that are urgently needed for research on alternative cancer therapies.
Every year, 500,000 people in Germany are diagnosed with cancer. Although we have been able to celebrate great advances in therapy in recent years, development must become more effective and safer, and better treatment options must continue to be our common goal.
Research needs cell donations
The path from the first laboratory tests and clinical patient studies to final approval is long. Numerous steps are required in the development of new, innovative treatment options for cancer patients.
You, too, can help us to take these steps – with your cell donation.
About Cell Community
The Cell Community is an important part of our work to fight cancer – that is why we are happy and proud that so many people are committed to this important cause, which we support with our expertise and experience. The number of requests for cell extractions is constantly increasing.
As the world’s largest collection center, we have been carrying out blood stem cell collections for leukemia patients from voluntary donors for many stem cell donor registries national and international.
In the course of our work, we are always aware of how difficult it can be to generate cell donations for research in a timely manner. We want to overcome these bottlenecks with the support of the Cell Community. The Cellex Cell Community recruits donrs who are willing to support research and science by donating by donating cells.
You, too, can make a commitment and register as a cell donor on the Cell Community website.
Foundation
Our international experience has taught us how important cosmopolitanism and a sense of responsibility are for our work with partners and donors.
This led us to establish the foundation in 2015.
Humanity and medical aid know no religious or national boundaries. People who donate blood stem cells make no distinction between skin color, sex, age, or origin of “their” patient.
Scientific research thrives on open discourse and cooperation between people from all over the world. This self-image also defines the themes to which the Cellex Foundation is committed: tolerance and openness to the world in harmony with science and research.
In all this, the people always take center stage in our actions.
Visit the website of our foundation
Research
Cellex’s mission is to serve patients with high therapeutic needs. Therefore, Blackstone Life Sciences, Cellex Cell Professionals and Intellia Therapeutics have launched a new CAR-T Cell Company AvenCell Therapeutics in June 2021. The Focus has been on the Development of Allogeneic Universal CAR-T Cell Therapies for Immuno-oncology and Autoimmune Diseases.