Rentschler Biopharma Appoints Veit Bergendahl as COO
Veit Bergendahl will assume operational responsibility for process development, clinical and commercial cGMP manufacturing, engineering and technology, as well as automation in production from April 1, 2026.
Rentschler Biopharma has appointed Veit Bergendahl as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and member of the Executive Board. He succeeds Christiane Bardroff, who is taking on a new professional challenge outside the company and will leave the company at her own request during the first quarter of this year. As of April 1, 2026, Bergendahl will be responsible for process development, clinical and commercial cGMP manufacturing, engineering and technology, as well as automation at Rentschler Biopharma.
Bergendahl brings more than 20 years of international experience in biopharmaceutical development, manufacturing, and CMC. He has worked in Europe and the USA for renowned pharmaceutical and biotech companies, in contract development and for research institutions. He has excellent knowledge of the entire biopharmaceutical value chain - from early development through clinical supply to commercial production, including international regulatory requirements. His expertise includes the management of complex development and manufacturing processes, site development, including overall operational and commercial responsibility, efficiency improvement, and cooperation with international partners.
Nikolaus F. Rentschler, Chairman of the Supervisory Board: "I am very pleased that Veit Bergendahl is taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer as the company enters a phase of further accelerated growth. With his strategic understanding of the biopharmaceutical value chain, his outstanding industry expertise, and many years of international experience in leadership roles, he will make a significant contribution to further strengthening our culture of reliability in a highly demanding market environment. His shared values and strong focus on partnership and sustainable development represent a significant asset for both our company and our clients."
“With Veit Bergendahl, whom I hold in the highest regard, we are gaining a highly experienced international leader who will strengthen our operations with his deep expertise and a clear forward-looking perspective,” commented Uwe Buecheler, Interim CEO of Rentschler Biopharma. “His comprehensive understanding of the development, manufacturing, and scaling of complex biopharmaceutical products is combined with a strong client focus and the highest commitment to quality. I particularly value his ability to link operational excellence with entrepreneurial thinking, inspiring teams to work toward shared goals. I am convinced that he will further accelerate the positive direction we have taken, especially through his strengths in innovation and operational excellence. I very much look forward to working with him and know that, together with our colleagues in Laupheim and Milford, he will provide important impetus for the continued successful development of Rentschler Biopharma.”
Veit Bergendahl added: "I am very much looking forward to working with the Executive Board and the team at Rentschler Biopharma. As a family-owned company and leading CDMO, Rentschler Biopharma delivers tailor-made solutions for essential biopharmaceuticals and combines scientific innovation with a strong sense of responsibility toward patients worldwide. It is very important to me to further build on this strong foundation. I aim to support and strengthen the dedicated teams in Laupheim and Milford, further enhance the robustness and efficiency of processes, and leverage new technologies to further advance operational excellence and develop long-term client-partnerships based on the highest levels of quality and reliability."
Before joining Rentschler Biopharma, Bergendahl worked at Boehringer Ingelheim for 13 years in various functions with increasing responsibility. Most recently, as Head of Clinical Supply Biologicals, he was responsible for the commissioning and go-live of the Biologicals Development Center at the research and development site in Biberach, and since 2023, he has been in charge of the single-use facility for clinical production with 2x2,000L bioreactors. Previously, as Executive Director Upstream Manufacturing, he managed a large-scale production facility (10x15,000L). Previous positions at Boehringer ranged from managing transfer projects in clinical phase I to commercial processes in contract manufacturing. His other professional stations were at Miltenyi Biotec and Roche (Germany). In the USA, he conducted research at the University of Wisconsin and held management positions at Cellular Dynamics International. Bergendahl holds a degree in biochemistry and a doctorate in biology from Philipps University, Marburg.
