Kincell Bio, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) in cell therapy, has promoted Lawrence “Larry” Pitcher to Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Pitcher succeeds Mark R. Bamforth OBE, who guided the company through a successful phase of growth as CEO and will continue to support the transition in a strategic capacity as Executive Chair of the Board.

“Larry has a proven track record scaling cell and gene therapy manufacturing operations and aligning them with client and patient needs,” said Mark R. Bamforth OBE. “His leadership of our operational capabilities positions Kincell Bio to better serve our clients as they progress into late-stage trials and commercial launch.”

Experience

As COO since March 2025, Pitcher has been instrumental in applying his experience to expanding Kincell Bio’s production capabilities, processes, and systems to support pivotal and commercial-stage cell therapies.

Prior to joining Kincell Bio, he served as VP & GM at Catalent’s Maryland gene therapy site where he cultivated robust commercial manufacturing operations and drove significant revenue and profitability gains. His earlier roles include leadership positions at Thermo Fisher, Brammer Bio, and RTI Surgical across Europe and the U.S., where he delivered consistent operational excellence and growth.

With a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Western Michigan University and an MBA from the University of Florida, Pitcher brings technical expertise and strategic vision to the CEO role. He takes the helm at a pivotal time as Kincell Bio accelerates cell therapy product supply from its Research Triangle Park, NC, and Gainesville, FL sites.

“I’m honored to assume the CEO role at Kincell Bio. Together with our skillful teams, we will expand our clinical development and commercial supply infrastructure, accelerate technology transfer, and strengthen our commitment to deliver life-changing cell therapies efficiently and reliably,” Pitcher shared.