Apelian to lead new T cell company BlueSphere

With serial biotech executive David Apelian as CEO, University of Pittsburgh and UPMC spinout BlueSphere debuted Wednesday with plans to move its personalized T cell therapies into the clinic.

Pitt professors Mark and Warren Shlomchik, who are brothers, co-founded BlueSphere Bio (Pittsburgh, Pa.) in 2017 based on their TCXpress platform, which the company has licensed from the university. UPMC Enterprises is the sole investor in the company's $10 million series A round. Apelian told BioCentury the funds will enable entry to the clinic, expected within two years...