Excellos & SDBB: A Legacy of Innovation and Impact

Excellos: From Blood Bank Division to Leading Cell Therapy CDMO | A Legacy of Innovation

At Excellos, we are driven by a mission that seamlessly blends cutting-edge science with a legacy of service. Our journey began as a division of the San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB), a nonprofit with over 70 years of experience in blood and tissue collection. In 2021, our co-founders David Wellis, Ph.D. and Robert Tressler, Ph.D. transitioned Excellos from a division within SDBB to an independent, full-service CDMO, expanding our capabilities while continuing our shared vision—to advance cell and gene therapy and transform patient outcomes.

Our Thriving Partnership with SDBB

Timeline graphic showing Excellos company milestones from 2014 to 2024. Starting with San Diego Blood Bank (2014-2021), followed by Excellos formation in 2021, BCA Partnership in 2022, New Facilities in 2023 (35,000+ sq ft), and planned GMP Production in 2024. The timeline is presented on a blue-purple gradient background with icons representing each milestone, connected by dotted and solid lines.

 

Our collaboration with SDBB is more than just a piece of history—it’s an ongoing, thriving partnership. With SDBB retaining ownership in Excellos, our success directly fuels their life-saving mission, helping sustain the nonprofit’s critical work in donor services, research, and public health initiatives. Every milestone we achieve—whether in manufacturing, process development, or delivering high-quality donor materials—drives innovation in cell and gene therapy while directly helping to sustain a nonprofit that provides critical services to our community.

Pioneer Expertise & Strategic Advantage

Excellos was built by a team of pioneers, many of whom transitioned directly from SDBB, and they remain an integral part of our growing company. Their expertise in donor management, cell therapy processing, and GMP operations has been instrumental in shaping our capabilities today. Strategically located just miles away from SDBB, we maintain close ties to one of the most diverse donor pools in the industry, ensuring seamless access to high-quality donor materials for life-saving therapies. This proximity gives us a critical advantage for companies developing next-generation cellular therapies.

As we continue to expand, our commitment to scientific excellence, patient impact, and meaningful partnerships remains at the core of everything we do.

What this Means for You

  • A Trusted, Mission-Driven Partner – Our legacy of service ensures that ethical sourcing and patient impact are at the forefront of everything we do.
  • Unparalleled Donor Access – Our close proximity to SDBB gives us direct access to one of the most diverse and high-quality donor pools in the industry.
  • A Team of Experts You Can Count On – Many of our team members transitioned from SDBB, bringing decades of experience in cell sourcing and therapeutic development.

Partner with Excellos

If you’re looking for a trusted partner to drive your cell and gene therapy innovations forward, Excellos is here to help. With our deep expertise, close collaboration with SDBB, and access to high-quality donor materials, we’re equipped to support your goals at every step. Let’s work together to bring life-changing therapies to the patients who need them most. Reach out today to discover how we can help accelerate your success.

Cell Therapy Manufacturing Newsletter

Excellos Launches Cell Therapy Manufacturing Newsletter: Innovation Updates in CAR-T and GMP Production

Excellos project management team leaders: Anya Gomez (Project Coordinator), Erin Darnley (Program Director), and Ruben Rodriguez (Customer Success Manager) against a blue cellular background with company logo

Spotlight on Excell-ence: Project Management Team