Our Spring Open House

Tour our state-of-the-art cGMP facilities, meet with our very own industry experts, some of our trusted partners and learn where autologous cell therapy is heading.

Tuesday, March 4th

4pm - 7pm - heavy hors-d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served 

1155 Island Ave Suite 400

San Diego, CA 92101

Excellos & SDBB: A Legacy of Innovation and Impact

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, we spun out as a full-service CDMO, continuing our shared vision to advance cell and gene therapy. 

Our collaboration with San Diego Blood Bank is more than just a piece of history—it's an ongoing, thriving partnership. With SDBB retaining ownership in Excellos, our success directly supports their life-saving mission, helping sustain critical services for patients in need.

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.

As we continue to expand, our commitment to scientific excellence, patient impact, and meaningful partnerships remains at our core. Partnering with Excellos means accelerating breakthrough therapies while supporting both scientific innovation and community health.

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.

Mitochondria Function for CAR-T Donors

Check out our Senior Research Scientist, Joshua Huang's latest article on how mitochondria function is measured to select capable donors for CAR-T production.

Advanced Therapies Week Recap

Our team attended Advanced Therapies Week 2025 in Dallas, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the latest advancements in cell and gene therapies, regenerative medicine, and biotech innovation.

We were honored to be recognized by Lee Buckler of Blood Centers of America (BCA) as the first decentralized manufacturer for Galapagos during the Decentralized Manufacturing panel discussion—an exciting milestone in the evolution of cell therapy manufacturing. Ian Gaudet of Galapagos joined industry experts to explore how decentralized models are shaping the future of CAR-T therapies.

Key conference insights included:

• Growing Investment – 61% of investors plan to increase funding in cell and gene therapies.
• Regulatory Collaboration – Agencies are streamlining approvals for rare diseases and cancers.
• Tech Advancements – Innovations in manufacturing and data solutions are improving accessibility.
• Patient-Centered Focus – Greater emphasis on patient advocacy in therapy development.

Inside Our Partnership with Galapagos: Advancing CAR-T Manufacturing

Excellos is the first decentralized manufacturing unit (DMU) within the nationwide network of Blood Centers of America to be selected for Good Manufacturing Compliant (GMP) manufacturing for Galapagos’ CAR-T hemato-oncology program.

Spotlight on Excellence: Project Management Team

At Excellos, our success is driven by the expertise and commitment of our exceptional teams. In this ongoing series, we’re shining a spotlight on the people behind the innovation—introducing the teams that make everything we do possible.

First, we’d like to introduce our Project Management Team—the skilled professionals who ensure seamless execution and foster strong client partnerships.

Meet Erin Darnley, Anya Gomez, and Ruben Rodriguez—three seasoned industry veterans who have been with us from the very start. Before Excellos, they honed their expertise over many years at the San Diego Blood Bank (SDBB), developing the knowledge and skills that continue to play a pivotal role in our ongoing success.

• Erin Darnley, Program Director – A leader in program management, Erin ensures seamless coordination across teams, keeping projects on track and aligned with our clients' needs.
• Anya Gomez, Project Coordinator – A skilled communicator, Anya ensures clarity and alignment between internal teams and external partners, keeping projects running smoothly and efficiently.
• Ruben Rodriguez, Customer Success Manager – A champion for our clients, Ruben ensures every partnership is built on trust, communication, and excellence.

Together, they represent the heart of Excellos—bringing unmatched knowledge, dedication, and leadership to our clients and partners. Their experience ensures that while we are a growing company, we operate with the precision, reliability, and expertise of an industry leader.  Please join us at our Open House on March 4th and meet this amazing team in person!  

We’re excited to continue this journey with you. Stay tuned for the next edition of The Excell-ence Exclusive, and as always, feel free to reach out with any questions or thoughts. Together, we’ll continue advancing the future of cell therapy!