Dr. Petter Björquist

Dr. Petter Björquist holds a PhD in Biology/Biochemistry from Gothenburg University, 50+ publications in peer reviewed journals, several book chapters, and patents. He spent 10 years within AstraZeneca R&D in Cardiovascular Diseases, 12 years at Cellartis/Cellectis as VP for Regenerative Medicine, responsible for the major collaboration with Novo Nordisk on the development of a human embryonic stem cell derived beta cell treatment for diabetes. As of February 2014, Petter has been the CEO of VERIGRAFT AB, a pioneering company within advanced tissue engineering, transplantation, and regenerative medicine.

With a background as a scientist in biology, Petter is very experienced in cells, how they can be mastered, and how they can be used directly and indirectly to cure diseases. On top of that, Petter has 15 years of experience specifically in stem cells, tissue engineering, cell therapy, transplantation, and advanced regenerative medicine from three different companies. In leading positions in each of these corporations, he has been able to bring products to the market, to bring stem cell therapies to a GMP setting, and to advance projects in this area to an industrial level. As VP for Regenerative Medicine at Cellartis/Cellectis, he was appointed alliance manager for the multimillion USD collaboration with Novo Nordisk and Lund University, a three-party project that he initiated and managed for nearly ten years.