At StemSight, we are driven by a mission to bring sight-restoring therapies to patients in need. To help us get there, we are proud to welcome a new board member whose deep experience and growth mindset will help us to realize this ambition.
Maarit Merla, currently the CEO of the Finnish Drug Discovery Centre (Suomen Lääkekehityskeskus), joins the board with nearly 25 years of leadership experience in the life sciences industry, including roles across medical devices, biotech, and pharma. Her career spans strategic roles in business development, fundraising, and commercialisation – most notably at Forendo Pharma, where she helped raise €9M in financing, closed a major research collaboration with Novartis, and ultimately played a key role in the company’s acquisition by Organon.
Now, she’s bringing that same energy, strategic insight, and hands-on biotech know-how to StemSight.
“I met Laura years ago when she was pitching StemSight, and I was immediately impressed,” Maarit recalls. “There was a clarity in the mission and a spark in the way she told the story. We’ve kept in touch over the years, and when this opportunity came along, I didn’t hesitate.”
Bringing Hands-On Experience
Having served on the boards of organisations like Pharma Industry Finland and Finnish Bioindustries – which she currently chairs – Maarit brings both a high-level vision and practical, on-the-ground perspective to her role.
“I know what it’s like to operate in a small biotech team – the hustle, the hands-on problem-solving, the constant balancing act between advancing science and securing the runway. That experience is something I hope to contribute, especially now as StemSight moves towards A round financing and future clinical milestones.”
In particular, Maarit sees fundraising and partnerships as areas where she can offer the most support. She’s also keenly aware of the broader industry shifts happening in the cell and gene therapy space – from manufacturing challenges to evolving regulatory pathways.
“The ability to scale up therapies based on iPSCs will be a key differentiator in the coming years. Companies that figure this out early will have a real edge in conversations with both investors and pharma partners.”
As for board culture, Maarit values diversity of thought and experience – and a willingness to openly explore new avenues toward a shared goal.
“It’s important to have people around the table who think globally, come from different backgrounds, and aren’t afraid to recognise risks or ask hard questions. That’s what helps a high-growth company evolve successfully.”
While ophthalmology may be a new chapter in her professional story, Maarit’s entrepreneurial roots run deep – and her willingness to step outside her comfort zone has defined her career.
“I’ve always worked, I’ve always learned, and I’ve never been afraid of new challenges. That’s the attitude I’m bringing to StemSight.”
We are thrilled to have Maarit on board as we continue our journey toward the clinic. Her leadership, strategic mindset, and passion for biotech innovation make her an invaluable addition to our team.
A warm welcome to the team, Maarit!