Management & Board 

Management

Portrait of Sara Thorslund, PhD

Sara Thorslund, PhD

Chief Executive Officer

Co-founder and CEO of Gradientech since its start in 2009. Sara Thorslund has received several innovation and entrepreneurship awards as growing Gradientech into an international biotech and diagnostics company. Presented as one of today’s role models shaping our future in book publication by Mondial (2020). Holds a MS in Engineering Biology from Linköping University and a PhD in Material Science and Microstructure Technology from Uppsala University. Author of +10 peer-reviewed scientific publications and inventor of a handful patents.

Portrait of Hans Richter

Hans Richter

Chief Financial Officer

Hans Richter has long background as independent Board Professional and Financial Executive within a broad range of industries, both in private companies, such as Pharmacia, Wrigley and Beijerinvest, and in public service. Direct experiences from real estate, patent agencies, management consulting, hospitality industry, hospitals, IT and Venture Capital. Hans Richter holds an MBA from Uppsala University and a BA from Stockholm University. Board member of Icehotel AB and interim CFO in the pharmaceutical stock-listed company Kancera.

Portrait of Ann-Sofie Andersson

Ann-Sofie Andersson

Sales & Marketing Manager

Ann-Sofie Andersson joined Gradientech in 2013 and has over 30 years of experience within the Life Science Sector from companies such as Pharmacia Diagnostics (today Thermo Fisher Scientific), Anamar and Mercodia. Previous positions include roles as Product Manager, International Marketing, Sales and Project Management. Ann-Sofie Andersson has also broad experience from business development, quality assurance and distributor environment.

Portrait of Marcus Berglund

Marcus Berglund

Chief Technology Officer

Marcus Berglund joined Gradientech in 2017 and has more than 15 years of experience within system, electronics and SW development. The last 10 years he has been engaged in leading development roles such as team lead, project manager and consultant manager. Passionate about technology and development in life changing applications with direct experience from projects within Life Science, Automotive and Industrial development. Marcus Berglund holds a MS in Electronics Design Engineering from Linköping University.

Portrait of Hanna Gradin

Hanna Gradin

QA & Regulatory Affairs Manager

Hanna Gradin joined Gradientech in 2020 and has solid experience from the medical device and pharmaceutical industry. Previous positions include quality assurance and regulatory management roles at companies such as Galderma, Orexo and Corline Biomedical. Hanna has also broad experience as certified adviser auditing quality management systems. Hanna Gradin holds a MS in Biology from Uppsala University.

Portrait of Christer Malmberg

Christer Malmberg

Chief Scientist

Christer Malmberg has solid experience from clinical and diagnostic microbiology research, investigating methods for early detection of phenotypic effects of antibiotics. Joined Gradientech in 2014 as project leader for the instrument development, and was in 2017 additionally awarded a PhD research grant from Uppsala Antibiotic Centre focusing on the clinical performance evaluation of Gradientech's microfluidic platform for rapid AST. Christer Malmberg holds a MS in Biotechnology Engineering from Uppsala University.

Portrait of Cecilia Johansson, PhD

Cecilia Johansson, PhD

Head of Microbiology

Cecilia Johansson has more than 20 years of research experience working with clinically relevant bacteria and virus including solid experience within a range of microbiology and molecular biology analysis methods. Cecilia Johansson holds a MS in Biology and a PhD in Medical Virology from Uppsala University and is author of +15 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Joined Gradientech in 2019, managing the team of microbiologists and project leading the microbiology activities and facilities.

Portrait of David Rönnholm

David Rönnholm

Product Development Manager

David Rönnholm joined Gradientech in 2016 and has more than 30 years of experience within product development of which 20 years are within the Life Science Sector. Previous positions include roles as Development Engineer, Project Manager, Technical Manager and Production Manager at biotech and medical device companies such as Biosensor Sweden, Stille, XCounter, Attana, GE Healthcare and Fiomi. David Rönnholm holds a MS in Naval Architecture from KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

Board of Directors

Portrait of Gisela Sitbon, PhD

Gisela Sitbon, PhD

Chairman since 2020

Gisela Sitbon has a research background within molecular biology, combined with more than 25 years of senior level experience from the life science industry. This includes business development and operational positions, as well as co-founding and managing a service-providing diagnostic company, later acquired by Capio. Currently holds several chair positions and board appointments in private and stock market listed companies.

Portrait of Rolf Ehrnström

Rolf Ehrnström

Director since 2020

Rolf Ehrnström has extensive R&D leadership experience from biotech and diagnostic companies like e.g. Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Dako (acquired by Agilent) and the microfluidics pioneer company Gyros. Today CSO of the stock market listed diagnostics company Immunovia, board member of Scandinavian Chemotech AB and appointed independent partner at Ventac Partners.

Portrait of Henrik Didner, PhD

Henrik Didner, PhD

Director since 2018

Co-founder, owner and working chairman of the Swedish leading fund management firm Didner & Gerge. Other current commitments include the position as chairman for Uppsala University Holding. Henrik Didner holds a PhD in Business Administration from Uppsala University.

Portrait of Ted Elvhage

Ted Elvhage

Director since 2014

Business administration and biochemistry background with leading sales positions at IT companies and life science companies like Pall. Founding partner of several business angel networks, engagements in numerous start-ups and Investmentpodden. Other current commitments include position as chairman for Keiretsu Forum Nordics, and board member of stock market listed Fingerprint Cards.

Portrait of Karl Xavier

Karl Xavier

Director since 2017

Background as financial advisor and investment management for high net-worth and corporate clients. Investment manager for Venture Capital firms and well experienced in evaluating and building early stage companies. Board member of several start-up companies.

Portrait of Simon Turner

Simon Turner

Director since 2020

Simon Turner has a background as an investment analyst, with focus on diagnostics, medtech and digital solutions. Solid experience from international due diligence work at e.g. French Kurma Partners, and later as Senior Manager Innovation Scout at Baxter International. Simon Turner is since 2016 Chair of the Advisory Panel of Life Sciences at the Swedish National Innovation Agency.