Berlin, Germany - April 21, 2026
ProBioGen announced the appointment of Dr. Simon Johannes Bulling, PhD, as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective April 15, 2026. In this role, Dr. Bulling leads the company’s operational business and oversees the manufacturing of innovative biologics across ProBioGen’s growing portfolio – from proteins and viral vectors to cell and gene therapy - further strengthening the company’s position as a trusted partner in the global biopharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Bulling brings extensive leadership experience across the global biopharma and contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) landscape, spanning both drug substance and drug product environments. Having held various senior roles in international, multi-site organizations, he has a strong track record in scaling operations, building high-performing organizations, and translating strategy into measurable results.
Before joining ProBioGen, Dr. Bulling served as Site Head at Celonic and a member of the Executive Committee. He previously held senior leadership roles at Recipharm, Rentschler Biopharma, Vetter Pharma, and Sandoz, with responsibility for operations, manufacturing, organizational development, and performance improvement in highly regulated environments. Most recently, he advised biopharma organizations on manufacturing strategy, operational scale-up, and organizational development in good manufacturing practice (GMP) environments. He holds a PhD from the Medical University of Vienna.
"ProBioGen has built real differentiation through its science, technology and the standards it brings to execution", said Dr. Simon Bulling. "I look forward to building on that foundation by further strengthening operations in ways that support quality, delivery, scalable execution, and a strong customer focus across the company’s growing portfolio."
"Simon brings a proven track record of scaling complex manufacturing organizations and delivering at both clinical and commercial scale, precisely the experience this next stage of ProBioGen’s development calls for. I am delighted to welcome him and look forward to the contribution he will make to our partners and to ProBioGen", said Dr. Alfred Merz, Chief Executive Officer of ProBioGen.
Dr. Bulling’s appointment comes at an important stage in ProBioGen’s development. As the company continues to strengthen its operational platform and expand its capabilities across biologics, viral vectors, vaccines, and advanced therapies, his leadership will support the next phase of growth and further reinforce ProBioGen’s ability to deliver high-quality, flexible, and reliable development and manufacturing solutions to its customers.
Over recent years, ProBioGen has made significant investments in expanding its manufacturing capacities for proteins and viral vectors, ensuring comprehensive supply for clinical trials. In addition, the company will establish and operate a GMP manufacturing facility for cell therapies at the Berlin Center for Gene and Cell Therapy (BC GCT), representing a major strategic expansion of its portfolio. Together with expanded virus production capabilities, these developments enhance the company’s operational footprint and its ability to support partners from clinical development through market launch and commercial manufacturing. Dr. Bulling’s appointment reflects ProBioGen’s commitment to aligning its operational leadership with the scale of this ambition.
About ProBioGen
ProBioGen is a Berlin-based biotech company, so called Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and technology provider that operates globally.
It specializes in developing and manufacturing biopharmaceutical active ingredients, viral vectors and vaccines, applying proprietary technologies to improve product quality and features. It started in 1994 as a spin-off of Charité, widely recognized hospital as one of the best in the world. More than 30 years later, 300 employees work at ProBioGen's three manufacturing lines in Berlin.
Every day, they contribute to the creation of new therapies in medicine and groundbreaking innovations worldwide through their creative and meticulous work. ProBioGen's growth strategy is driven by the expansion of the service value chain through organic growth and potential acquisition. Diversification is a complement driver, while the focus is strict on enabling the development of biopharmaceuticals for tomorrow.
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