PHI’s new CEO: “I am excited to lead us forward with new energy”
Anders Månsson was recently appointed CEO of Phase Holographic Imaging. With extensive leadership experience in the international life sciences sector, he aims to expand PHI’s global reach and position the company as a leader in non-invasive cell quality control technologies. We spoke with him about his vision for the future.
At the heart of Phase Holographic Imaging (PHI) is the HoloMonitor system, an advanced instrument for non-invasive cell culture analysis that integrates time-lapse imaging with long-term quantitative analysis of living cells. Unlike traditional imaging techniques, PHI’s solution is cell-friendly and ideal for biomedical research, as well as cell monitoring applications in regenerative medicine. This rapidly growing field offers promising solutions for currently incurable diseases.
The HoloMonitor uses Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI) technology to assess cell quality and health over time without damaging the cells, overcoming the limitations of conventional cell measurement methods which often compromise cell integrity. To learn more about QPI, watch this presentation by PHI’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Kersti Alm.
Increased order volume
PHI’s largest shareholder and global distributor, the Swiss-based investment and distribution company Altium, is led by CEO Goran Dubravčić, who also serves as Chairman of PHI’s Board. Dubravčić has previously expressed optimism about PHI’s growth prospects. Read more here.
In September, PHI announced a significant order from Altium for 20 HoloMonitor systems, doubling the order size compared to Q3 and Q4 of 2023/24. The agreement includes various configurations and add-ons, impacting the total value.
This order follows a distribution agreement signed late last year, allowing Altium to market and sell PHI’s products. Since then, Altium has partnered with various resellers and expanded PHI’s presence across Europe and Eurasia.
A new CEO at the helm
Anders Månsson was recently named the new CEO of PHI. With over 25 years of leadership experience in the international life sciences sector, he brings expertise from roles across multinational corporations and biotech firms. We spoke with Anders to learn more about his visions for PHI.
To begin with, could you share some insights into your professional background?
– Yes, I have worked in life sciences since I left university in the early 1990s. For most of my career, I have worked internationally; I have worked in all the Scandinavian countries, but also in the UK and Switzerland. I have worked for large multinational companies in senior roles, as well as for small to mid-size biotech companies in CEO and board-level capacities. My roles have spanned the realms of product development to commercialization with a large emphasis on partnering and partner management.
What motivated you to pursue the CEO position at PHI?
– PHI has developed a sophisticated piece of technology and software to solve a key problem in the area of cell therapy, namely the ability to monitor and analyze cell viability without invasive manipulation or staining. It seems to me that PHI was well positioned for success prior to the COVID-19 pandemic but that it has had a tough time overcoming the challenges that the pandemic and its aftermath have brought. However, the technology platform is still high-grade, and the cell therapy marketplace is growing by leaps and bounds. I, therefore, see the potential in PHI for a significant turnaround.
How do you plan to leverage your experience in the biotech industry to drive PHI’s growth?
– I have long and significant international experience in the biotech industry, and I have worked extensively with deal-making involving large companies and with financing of smaller ones. I also have a vast network of contacts in relevant areas supporting the industry. As such, there is significant leverage potential in my background. That said, another key aspect is, of course, that not having been tainted with the past pandemic and post-pandemic years in PHI means that I can bring a fresh set of eyes to problem-solving and inject further energy into the company.
What are your top priorities for the company in the first six months as CEO?
– My initial impression is that we need to prioritize the development of a clinically applicable product while we more optimally manage the sales process for our existing products together with our commercial partner, Altium. Also, we need to make PHI a great place to work. Doing all of this right will generate shareholder value!
How do you envision PHI’s role in the expanding field of regenerative medicine?
– As stated above, the intrinsic ability of PHI’s technology is exactly what is asked for in regenerative medicine, namely the ability to monitor and analyze cell viability without compromising the cells through invasive manipulation or staining. As such, PHI will strive to set a new standard in that market segment.
What are the biggest challenges the company will face in the coming years, and how do you plan to address them?
– Many biotech companies suffered from the pandemic, and many have also struggled in the aftermath with less access to capital. However, although the recent years have been tough for everyone, PHI has actually succeeded in bringing products to market and in keeping up innovation in the pipeline. The company must now seize the opportunity for re-energizing that a change of leadership can bring, focus on further expansion of our product offering, addressing new market segments while creating revenue from what we have already succeeded in bringing to the market. That is arguably not a bad position to be in. I am excited to lead us forward with new energy and a commitment to realizing our full potential.
The content of BioStock’s news and analyses is independent but the work of BioStock is to a certain degree financed by life science companies. The above article concerns a company from which BioStock has received financing.
