Company update

Stina Torell is our new intern analyst, joining us at the beginning of 2022. She is a student at Chalmers University here in Gothenburg but decided to take a break to sharpen her skillset by also getting some real experience in the consulting world at MSC. We are so glad to have her and hope we can continue to feed and grow her interest within the biotechnology space. Warm welcome to the team Stina!

Can you tell us about your background?

Hi everyone! My name is Stina Torell and I have just started my time here at MSC as an intern. I am originally from Stockholm but decided to move to Gothenburg to study a master’s in Industrial Engineering and Management, with courses in biotechnology, at Chalmers University of Technology.

“I found that work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry seemed very interesting and I was curious to learn more about the industry.”

Why did you choose to join MSC?

For my bachelor’s thesis, my group and I interviewed multiple pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. I found their work very interesting and was curious to learn more about the industry. At the same time, I worked as a student consultant at a Chalmers student consultancy firm and, I figured that being able to combine consulting with biotechnology would be interesting to try out.  And here I am, at MSC, where I get to do just that!

What do you look forward to most in joining MSC?

I have already started with a couple of different projects, but I am really looking forward to digging into other interesting projects and learning about fascinating topics. I am also looking forward to working together with my colleagues and learning from them.

What are you most proud of in your professional life thus far?

At this point in my career, I am most proud of always selecting courses, jobs and projects etc. based on what I think would be the most interesting to me. I think that making active choices of doing what interests me the most is going to lead me somewhere meaningful and to a place where I feel like I belong.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

On a regular day I enjoy going out for a walk to listen to a book or podcast. I also like going to outdoor gyms. Otherwise, I really enjoy wind-foiling and windsurfing which I hope I get to do this spring since the MSC office is so close to the sea!

Stina Torell, Intern Analyst
LinkedIn >

We have some exciting news here in the MSC team. Co-founder Tobias Thornblad is handing over the CEO torch to Julia Fransson. While Tobias will still be present in the role as Chair of MSC, Julia will take the helm starting early 2022.

MSC Nordics was officially founded in 2014, then under a different name and slightly different offering. Much has evolved since then; both in the Nordic biotech space as well as in the MSC team and our now broader mission of empowering biotechs to attract investment and strike partnerships.

Julia Fransson has been with the company for just over three years and has contributed to the management of the team and company since the start. Her extensive background in biotech, consulting and growth companies coupled with experience from a previous CEO role enables her to ‘hit the ground running’ and just barely shifting gears.

Julia got the opportunity to tell us more about her and her views on the future here:

What do you see as the biggest strength of our company right now?

Now, as always, I consider our team to be our strongest asset. Everyone at MSC is passionate about commercializing bioscience innovations and dedicated to always walk the extra mile for both clients and each other.

“One of my top priorities in the next year will be to strengthen MSC’s presence across the Nordics.”

What was the path you took to get to where you are today?

Since my very first chemistry class in middle school, I have had a strong interest in science, and specifically life sciences. Throughout my studies at Chalmers, first in biotechnology followed by a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and business design, I gradually realized that I wanted to keep my focus on biosciences but work closer to the business-end rather than the laboratory.

After graduating, I spent five years in Stockholm at an early-stage investor in high-tech ventures first as a business development consultant followed by a role where I evaluated new investments as part of the venture team. Lastly, taking a large step out of my comfort zone, I took a position to head up a construction robotics company. Despite it being challenging and developing to work in a field of technology and industry where I needed to learn everything from scratch, I gradually longed to move closer to home, both geographically and in terms of subject matter. This prompted me joining MSC Nordics and returning to Gothenburg, which has now been my home over the last three years.

Why did you want to become CEO of this company?

The easy answer is, I can’t think of a better company to work for. I feel honored to get the opportunity to keep building on the solid foundation that Tobias and Björn have established and lead the MSC forward.

We have a client base that inspires and challenges us to always think smarter; and an everchanging industry that requires constant evolvement together with our clients to continue to keep them competitive. Further, we have a warm and welcoming company culture and a team with a common motivator to be part of bringing new medicines and medical innovations to patients in need.

What do you hope to accomplish within the next year?

One of my top priorities in the next year will be to strengthen MSC‘s presence across the Nordics. Currently, MSC is well-known within the Swedish life science landscape and I want to work towards building our brand in all the Nordic countries.

A second priority is to expand the team, so clients can already now look forward to meeting several new highly talented and dedicated MSC team members in the coming year.

What makes you excited about Mondays?

When I’m not at work you can find me spending time with my family and friends. I have two young sons and enjoy exploring the world with them. Right now I’m looking forward to the time when the pandemic is behind us so that we can go to more places than our local forest and playground!

Although I love my kids and the fast-paced chaos that they’ve brought into my life, it’s always nice to step into the calm of our office on Monday mornings knowing that even our most demanding clients will have miles more patience and reasonable requirements than the two bosses at home. I am privileged to be able to combine both worlds!

Tobias Thornblad, co-founder of MSC, will continue to be present in the Nordic biotech industry but divide his focus on a number of different avenues. Tobias will transition to serve as the Chair of the Board for MSC; and, continue as the Chair of BioStock, a leading news outlet for the Scandinavian life science industry.

Björn Carlsson, co-founder of MSC, will continue to support the company through an advisory role as part of the company’s Board.