Dr. Alfred Merz has been appointed Chief Executive Officer at Berlin-based ProBioGen, a contract development and manufacturing organisation specialising in biopharmaceuticals, viral vectors and vaccines. The appointment signals a strategic realignment within the company as it seeks to leverage Dr. Merz’s extensive pharmaceutical background to accelerate growth in the competitive biologics market.

Extensive industry experience underpins appointment

Dr. Merz brings significant credentials to the role, having previously served as ProBioGen’s Chief Operating Officer and interim CEO. His appointment to the permanent leadership position follows a career spanning three decades in pharmaceutical manufacturing and operational strategy at industry leaders including Bayer Pharmaceuticals, where he held the position of Senior Vice President and Head of Product Supply Medical Devices, and Novartis.

The leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment for the company, which has built its reputation on scientific innovation and manufacturing reliability in the biologics sector since its inception as a Charité spin-off in 1994.

Dr. Alfred Merz

Strategic growth trajectory mapped for CDMO services

Dr. Merz outlined his vision for the company’s trajectory, stating: “ProBioGen has a strong legacy of innovation and excellence in CDMO services and technologies. I am honoured to lead this outstanding team as we accelerate our growth, expand our capabilities, and continue delivering high-quality solutions for our pharma and biotech partners.” The company’s supervisory board has expressed confidence in Dr. Merz’s capacity to enhance ProBioGen’s strategic position. Dr. Wafik Bardissi, Chairman of ProBioGen’s Supervisory Board and CEO of Minapharm Pharmaceuticals SAE, noted: “Alfred embodies impressive leadership and business acumen. His strategic expertise is vital to accelerating ProBioGen’s growth, advancing therapeutic innovation globally through proprietary technologies, and fostering impactful partnerships while enhancing operational excellence.”

Technological innovation remains core focus

ProBioGen has established its market position through a combination of service provision and technological innovation, developing proprietary technologies that enhance biopharmaceutical product quality and features. The company currently employs approximately 300 staff across three Berlin locations and has identified both organic growth and potential acquisitions as key components of its development strategy. The firm’s growth plan centres on expanding its service value chain while maintaining strict focus on biopharmaceutical development capabilities for emerging therapeutic modalities.