# Gregg Sando
**Gregg Stephen Sando** (born 1958) is a British biotechnology entrepreneur who founded and led [Cell Medica](https://www.edgepedia.org/cell-medica), a London-based cellular immunotherapy company, from its establishment in 2006 until stepping down as chief executive on 1 August 2018.[1](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/jJ2J5s0VzWkgBwYzQCTx3Tlrnp0/appointments) • [2](https://manufacturingchemist.com/cell-medica-appoints-new-ceo-145708) Cell Medica developed T-cell cancer therapies, first using naturally occurring virus-targeted T cells and later engineered CAR-modified NKT cells designed as off-the-shelf treatments.[3](https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/cell-medica-gregg-sando-car-t/) Its successor entity, Kuur Therapeutics Limited, is in liquidation.[1](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/jJ2J5s0VzWkgBwYzQCTx3Tlrnp0/appointments)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1958, British, resident in England[1](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/jJ2J5s0VzWkgBwYzQCTx3Tlrnp0/appointments) |
| Education | Pre-medical study at Harvard; B.A. Biochemistry (Harvard); M.B.A. (University of Chicago); MSc Immunology (Imperial College London)[3](https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/cell-medica-gregg-sando-car-t/) • [4](https://www.equitynet.com/c/cell-medica) |
| Earlier career | 20 years in investment banking in London and New York[3](https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/cell-medica-gregg-sando-car-t/) |
| Founded | Cell Medica, London, 2006, co-founded with Imperial Innovations[2](https://manufacturingchemist.com/cell-medica-appoints-new-ceo-145708) • [5](https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/imperial-innovations-leads-%C2%A350-million-series-b-funding-round-cell-medica) |
| Venture funding | £17m (2012), £50m Series B, £60m Series C (2017)[6](https://www.biospace.com/imperial-innovations-pumps-26-5-million-into-cell-medica) • [5](https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/imperial-innovations-leads-%C2%A350-million-series-b-funding-round-cell-medica) • [7](https://www.bioworld.com/articles/391352-cell-medica-pads-coffers-with-74m-series-c-for-t-cell-immunotherapies) |
| Left Cell Medica | 1 August 2018, succeeded as CEO by Chris Nowers[2](https://manufacturingchemist.com/cell-medica-appoints-new-ceo-145708) |
| Company status | Kuur Therapeutics Limited (formerly Cell Medica Limited) in liquidation[1](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/jJ2J5s0VzWkgBwYzQCTx3Tlrnp0/appointments) |
## Early career and founding of Cell Medica
Sando began his working life as a pre-medical student at Harvard, then spent 20 years in investment banking based in London and New York.[3](https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/cell-medica-gregg-sando-car-t/) He returned to graduate study at [Imperial College London](https://www.edgepedia.org/imperial-college-london), completing an Immunology MSc, describing the move as a business decision to update his knowledge of the science behind biotech.[3](https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/cell-medica-gregg-sando-car-t/) EquityNet's profile adds a B.A. in [Biochemistry](https://www.edgepedia.org/biochemistry) from Harvard and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.[4](https://www.equitynet.com/c/cell-medica)
In 2006 he founded Cell Medica, recruiting T-cell experts Professor Hans Stauss, and Professor Emma Morris as core members of the scientific advisory board.[3](https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/cell-medica-gregg-sando-car-t/) • [2](https://manufacturingchemist.com/cell-medica-appoints-new-ceo-145708) The company was co-founded with Imperial Innovations, the technology commercialization group, which first invested in a 2007 seed round and led every subsequent funding round.[5](https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/imperial-innovations-leads-%C2%A350-million-series-b-funding-round-cell-medica) [Companies House](https://www.edgepedia.org/companies-house) records Sando's appointment as a director of Cell Medica Limited on 11 November 2005.[1](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/jJ2J5s0VzWkgBwYzQCTx3Tlrnp0/appointments)
## Platform and pivot
Cell Medica's first product, launched in 2007, used naturally occurring T cells targeting viral antigens to treat infections; the company survived on seed funding and grants until 2010.[3](https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/cell-medica-gregg-sando-car-t/) Its lead clinical application, Cytovir CMV, treated cytomegalovirus infections in patients after allogeneic (cells transplanted from a donor, not the patient) bone marrow transplant, and the company sponsored a confirmatory Phase III-style trial across 15 UK bone marrow transplant centers, with market launch targeted for 2013.[8](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cell-medica-signs-an-exclusive-license-agreement-and-strengthens-collaboration-with-the-center-for-cell-and-gene-therapy-baylor-college-of-medicine-112998309.html) • [6](https://www.biospace.com/imperial-innovations-pumps-26-5-million-into-cell-medica)
In 2012 a £17 million ($26.5 million) equity round from Invesco Perpetual and Imperial Innovations, alongside a $15.3 million CPRIT Commercialisation (Relocation) Award, funded Texas operations and clinical development of Cytorex EBV, licensed from the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at [Baylor College of Medicine](https://www.edgepedia.org/baylor-college-of-medicine), The Methodist Hospital, and [Texas Children's Hospital](https://www.edgepedia.org/texas-childrens-hospital).[6](https://www.biospace.com/imperial-innovations-pumps-26-5-million-into-cell-medica)
The strategic turn came in 2016. Sando said the company was sidelining Cytovir CMV, the product around which it had originally been formed, because T-cell cancer immunotherapies for solid tumors represented a much larger market.[7](https://www.bioworld.com/articles/391352-cell-medica-pads-coffers-with-74m-series-c-for-t-cell-immunotherapies) That year Cell Medica entered the CAR-T field and engineered TCRs, acquired Delenex Therapeutics AG with Series B proceeds, and formed partnerships with Baylor College of Medicine and [University College London](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-college-london).[3](https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/cell-medica-gregg-sando-car-t/) • [7](https://www.bioworld.com/articles/391352-cell-medica-pads-coffers-with-74m-series-c-for-t-cell-immunotherapies) A June 2016 exclusive license and co-development agreement with Baylor covered off-the-shelf CAR-modified NKT cells grown from healthy donors, with Cell Medica holding an exclusive option on resulting products; the partnership was expanded in November 2016 to target multiple cancers.[9](https://www.drugtargetreview.com/news/15097/cell-medica-off-the-shelf/) • [10](https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/cell-medica-raises-60m-for-phase-ii-t-cell-product-and-cell-immunotherapy-pipeline/) Sando argued that NKT cells do not cause graft-versus-host disease, making allogeneic products feasible, with rejection risk manageable through patient conditioning.[7](https://www.bioworld.com/articles/391352-cell-medica-pads-coffers-with-74m-series-c-for-t-cell-immunotherapies)
## Funding and ownership
A Labiotech interview with Sando states that Cell Medica raised £25 million in Series A, £50 million in Series B, and £60 million in Series C, although other sources put the 2012 Series A at £17 million ($26.5 million).[3](https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/cell-medica-gregg-sando-car-t/) The 2012 Series A totaled £17 million ($26.5 million) and brought in [Invesco](https://www.edgepedia.org/invesco) and, through the CPRIT award, public Texas funding.[6](https://www.biospace.com/imperial-innovations-pumps-26-5-million-into-cell-medica)
The £50 million Series B was led by Imperial Innovations, which committed £15 million for a 27.9% stake, alongside Invesco Asset Management, and Woodford Investment Management.[5](https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/imperial-innovations-leads-%C2%A350-million-series-b-funding-round-cell-medica) Global Venturing reported the same round as £50 million ($78.85 million) with a 27.6% stake for Innovations.[11](https://globalventuring.com/university/imperial-not-immune-to-cell-medica/) By 31 July 2014 Imperial Innovations had invested £4.8 million for a 25.2% holding.[5](https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/imperial-innovations-leads-%C2%A350-million-series-b-funding-round-cell-medica)
In March 2017 the company closed a £60 million (US$74.1 million) Series C from Touchstone Innovations, Invesco Perpetual, and Woodford Investment Management, to fund four second-generation T-cell cancer immunotherapy programs targeting solid tumors.[7](https://www.bioworld.com/articles/391352-cell-medica-pads-coffers-with-74m-series-c-for-t-cell-immunotherapies) • [12](https://www.finsmes.com/2017/03/cell-medica-closes-60m-series-c-funding.html)
## Pipeline and clinical progress
The most advanced program after the pivot was baltaleucel-T (CMD-003), an autologous (made from the patient's own cells) T-cell therapy for Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoma, which received FDA fast track designation and entered the Phase II CITADEL and CIVIC trials for advanced EBV-associated lymphomas.[7](https://www.bioworld.com/articles/391352-cell-medica-pads-coffers-with-74m-series-c-for-t-cell-immunotherapies) • [10](https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/cell-medica-raises-60m-for-phase-ii-t-cell-product-and-cell-immunotherapy-pipeline/) At the time of the Labiotech interview, the Phase 2 EBV program had produced three responses in the first six patients.[3](https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/cell-medica-gregg-sando-car-t/) On the CAR-NKT side, the company dosed the first neuroblastoma patient with a CAR therapy built on natural killer T cells, in a pipeline created with Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, and University College London.[13](https://www.biospace.com/cell-medica-first-neuroblastoma-patient-successfully-dosed-with-innovative-car-therapy-utilizing-natural-killer-t-cells-car-nkt)
## How the approach compared with other cell-therapy companies
Sando positioned Cell Medica apart from the CAR-T incumbents. "We are not competing with Kite, Juno or Novartis in blood cancers," he said in 2017. "With our new chimeric antigen receptor [CAR] technology we are targeting solid tumors, which is where the real patient population lies."[7](https://www.bioworld.com/articles/391352-cell-medica-pads-coffers-with-74m-series-c-for-t-cell-immunotherapies) He noted that Novartis, Kite, and Juno, which formed after Novartis' August 2012 CAR-T move, each reached Nasdaq IPOs with market caps above $3 billion.[3](https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/cell-medica-gregg-sando-car-t/)
The economic argument for allogeneic cells rests on manufacturing cost: autologous CAR-T cost of goods often exceeds $100,000 per dose, keeping final prices in the half-million-dollar range, which off-the-shelf NK-based cells could undercut through economies of scale.[14](https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/the-battle-for-the-cell-car-t-therapy-vs-nk-cell-therapy-16824) Peer-reviewed literature supports part of the thesis. A 2025 review in Frontiers in [Immunology](https://www.edgepedia.org/immunology) states that CAR-NK therapy has off-the-shelf potential and better safety than CAR-T, including reduced risk of cytokine release syndrome and graft-versus-host disease, but has shown limited efficacy against solid tumors, including glioblastoma, partly because of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.[15](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1681966/full) On the CMV-targeted approach Cell Medica originally pursued, a systematic review pooling three studies of 66 glioblastoma patients found improved overall survival (mean difference 28.86, 95% CI 23.51–34.2, P < 0.00001) and progression-free survival (mean difference 22.36, 95% CI 17.3–27.41, P < 0.00001), homogeneous across studies; a separate single-institution study of autologous CMV-specific T cells in glioblastoma reported median overall survival of 23 months versus 14 months in a small comparison group (P = 0.018).[16](https://www.cureus.com/abstracts/1274-exploring-the-therapeutic-potential-cytomegalovirus-specific-autologous-t-cell-therapy-in-glioblastoma-patients--a-systemic-review-and-meta-analysis) • [17](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7598048/)
## Later developments and Sando after Cell Medica
Sando stepped down as CEO and director of Cell Medica, and Chris Nowers was appointed CEO and executive director effective 1 August 2018.[2](https://manufacturingchemist.com/cell-medica-appoints-new-ceo-145708) Companies House records his resignation the same day from both Cell Medica TCR Limited (appointed 12 May 2017; the company was dissolved) and Kuur Therapeutics Limited (05620555), the renamed Cell Medica Limited, which is in liquidation.[1](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/jJ2J5s0VzWkgBwYzQCTx3Tlrnp0/appointments) He has been an active director of Thinksono Ltd since 16 July 2019.[1](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/jJ2J5s0VzWkgBwYzQCTx3Tlrnp0/appointments)
## References
1. Gregg Stephen SANDO personal appointments, Companies House (GOV.UK). https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/jJ2J5s0VzWkgBwYzQCTx3Tlrnp0/appointments
2. Cell Medica appoints new CEO, Manufacturing Chemist. https://manufacturingchemist.com/cell-medica-appoints-new-ceo-145708
3. A CAR-T Conversation with Gregg Sando, CEO of Cell Medica, Labiotech. https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/cell-medica-gregg-sando-car-t/
4. Cell Medica, EquityNet. https://www.equitynet.com/c/cell-medica
5. Imperial Innovations leads £50 million Series B funding round in Cell Medica, Fierce Biotech. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/imperial-innovations-leads-%C2%A350-million-series-b-funding-round-cell-medica
6. Imperial Innovations Pumps $26.5 Million into Cell Medica, BioSpace. https://www.biospace.com/imperial-innovations-pumps-26-5-million-into-cell-medica
7. Cell Medica pads coffers with $74M series C for T-cell immunotherapies, BioWorld. https://www.bioworld.com/articles/391352-cell-medica-pads-coffers-with-74m-series-c-for-t-cell-immunotherapies
8. Cell Medica Signs an Exclusive License Agreement and Strengthens Collaboration With the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cell-medica-signs-an-exclusive-license-agreement-and-strengthens-collaboration-with-the-center-for-cell-and-gene-therapy-baylor-college-of-medicine-112998309.html
9. Cell Medica and Baylor to develop off-the-shelf CAR-NKT cells for cancer treatment, Drug Target Review. https://www.drugtargetreview.com/news/15097/cell-medica-off-the-shelf/
10. Cell Medica Raises £60M for Phase II T-Cell Product and Cell Immunotherapy Pipeline, GEN. https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/cell-medica-raises-60m-for-phase-ii-t-cell-product-and-cell-immunotherapy-pipeline/
11. Imperial not immune to Cell Medica, Global Venturing. https://globalventuring.com/university/imperial-not-immune-to-cell-medica/
12. Cell Medica Closes £60M Series C Funding, FinSMEs. https://www.finsmes.com/2017/03/cell-medica-closes-60m-series-c-funding.html
13. Cell Medica: First Neuroblastoma Patient Successfully Dosed with CAR-NKT, BioSpace. https://www.biospace.com/cell-medica-first-neuroblastoma-patient-successfully-dosed-with-innovative-car-therapy-utilizing-natural-killer-t-cells-car-nkt
14. The battle for the cell: CAR-T therapy vs. NK cell therapy, Drug Discovery News. https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/the-battle-for-the-cell-car-t-therapy-vs-nk-cell-therapy-16824
15. Shaping the glioblastoma microenvironment to enhance CAR-NK immunotherapy, Frontiers in Immunology (2025). https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1681966/full
16. Exploring the Therapeutic Potential: Cytomegalovirus-Specific Autologous T-cell Therapy in Glioblastoma Patients, Cureus. https://www.cureus.com/abstracts/1274-exploring-the-therapeutic-potential-cytomegalovirus-specific-autologous-t-cell-therapy-in-glioblastoma-patients--a-systemic-review-and-meta-analysis
17. Autologous CMV-specific T cells are a safe adjuvant immunotherapy for primary glioblastoma multiforme, PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7598048/
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Economics and business › Founders, operators, and investors › Life-science and healthcare founders and companies › Biotechnology and therapeutics › Biotech chief executives and operators*
*Initially written Sep 19, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026; Sep 30, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 11, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Sep 30, 2026*
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