Jan–Eric W. Ahlforsis the chief executive officer and chief scientific officer of Fortuna Fix and is a specialist in cell reprogramming and regenerative medicine.
Jan–Eric was the first to develop a method of direct reprogramming to produce human neural precursor cells (drNPC™) demonstrating that human somatic cells could be reprogrammed directly into multipotent neural stem cells without involving a stage of pluripotency. He developed the first high volume fully automated end–to–end cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) manufacturing robotic platform for cells, capable of independently manufacturing multiple cell batches simultaneously without cross–contamination, allowing for personalized cell therapy. Fortuna Fix was founded in 2015 for the development and commercialization of the drNPCs for neurodegeneration and neurotrauma. Investors in Fortuna Fix include Amgen Ventures.
Jan–Eric co–wrote the Massachusetts stem cell bill and defended it in front of U.S. Congress that became law in 2005 and he proposed, designed and wrote the bill for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center that became law in 2006.
Jan–Eric has degrees in biotechnology, physics, biomedical engineering, and an MBA in the management of technology from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. While at Worcester Jan–Eric did one of his theses in tissue engineering in Dr. Vacanti’s lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He has more than 50 granted and pending patents.