NextCell Pharma has appointed Dr. Eric Strati to its Board of Advisors to strengthen the company's commercial strategy as it advances ProTrans, an allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy for type 1 diabetes, toward pivotal clinical trials and potential commercialization.
Dr. Strati, currently CEO of Gift of Life Biologics, brings extensive experience from senior leadership roles at Takeda, Mesoblast, and Novartis. His direct involvement in the development and commercial launch of two approved MSC-based therapies—Alofisel and Ryoncil—provides NextCell with valuable expertise in regulatory pathways, market access strategies, and commercialization approaches for advanced cell therapies.
"We are incredibly proud to welcome Eric to our advisory board," said Mathias Svahn, CEO of NextCell Pharma. "His track record in bringing cell and gene therapies to market and his strategic view on partnerships and commercialization will be instrumental as we move ProTrans closer to patients."
Strategic Advisory Board Restructuring
The appointment comes as part of NextCell's strategic initiative to adapt its advisory board composition to better align with the company's evolving focus on securing commercial partnerships and preparing for pivotal clinical trials. While adding commercial expertise, the advisory board continues to be anchored by Professor Per-Ola Carlsson, who serves as principal investigator for all ProTrans clinical trials, including ProTrans-1, ProTrans-2, ProTrans-Repeat, and ProTrans-Young.
ProTrans Clinical Development Progress
ProTrans, NextCell's lead candidate, has demonstrated promising efficacy in clinical studies for type 1 diabetes treatment. The allogeneic MSC therapy has shown long-term benefits after a single infusion, with clinical data indicating preserved endogenous insulin production, improved BMI, and stabilized blood pressure.
In early April 2025, NextCell completed the first administrative age group analysis of the ProTrans-Young study, which included 30 patients aged 12-21 years. The analysis revealed a positive trend toward preserving insulin production, reinforcing the potential of ProTrans as an effective treatment option.
Ongoing Clinical Trials and Future Milestones
The company is currently enrolling a younger cohort of 30 patients aged 7-11 years in the ProTrans-Young study. The primary endpoint analysis for the complete trial is expected in the second half of 2026, representing a significant milestone in the development program.
Dr. Strati's commercial expertise will be particularly valuable as NextCell navigates the path from clinical development to market preparation. His experience with MSC therapies aligns perfectly with ProTrans' technology platform and therapeutic approach, potentially accelerating the company's ability to bring this innovative treatment to patients with type 1 diabetes.
Implications for Cell Therapy Development
The addition of Dr. Strati to NextCell's advisory board highlights the growing importance of commercial strategy in the cell therapy sector. As more cell-based treatments advance through clinical development, companies must increasingly focus on market access, reimbursement pathways, and commercial partnerships to ensure successful product launches.
For NextCell, strengthening its commercial capabilities at this stage signals confidence in ProTrans' clinical potential and demonstrates a forward-looking approach to bringing this innovative therapy to patients with type 1 diabetes, a condition with significant unmet medical needs despite advances in insulin therapy and glucose monitoring.
