Career Timeline
BSc in Chemistry
Completed Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at the University of Ljubljana.
MSc in Chemistry
Completed Master of Science degree in Chemistry at the University of Ljubljana.
PhD in Biotechnological Sciences
Earned Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biotechnological Sciences from the University of Ljubljana.
Founded BIA Separations
After beginning CIM technology development in 1992, founded BIA Separations in 1998, a biotechnology company dedicated to the development and commercialization of CIM monolithic chromatographic columns. The company was established to bring the innovative monolithic chromatography technology from the laboratory to the market, serving the biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, and research sectors.
First Commercial CIM Products
Developed and launched the first commercial CIM monolithic chromatographic products, including CIM disk monolithic columns in various chromatographic modes (ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, affinity). These products marked the beginning of monolithic chromatography as a commercially available technology for bioseparation.
CIM Technology Adopted for Biopharmaceutical Purification
CIM monolithic chromatography technology was adopted for large-scale biopharmaceutical purification by leading pharmaceutical companies. The successful demonstration of scalability from analytical to preparative scale established CIM as a viable platform for industrial bioseparation, particularly for the purification of large biological molecules including viruses and plasmid DNA.
Head of Chromatography Department
Appointed Head of the Chromatography Department at the National Institute of Chemistry in Slovenia. In this role, Dr. Štrancar led a research group focused on the advancement of monolithic chromatography technology, combining fundamental research with applied development for biopharmaceutical and analytical applications.
BIA Technology Used in Gene Therapy Manufacturing
BIA Separations' CIM monolithic chromatography technology was adopted for gene therapy vector manufacturing, particularly for the purification of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. This marked a pivotal expansion of CIM technology into the rapidly growing gene therapy field, establishing monolithic chromatography as a key enabling technology for viral vector production.
Contributed to Zolgensma Manufacturing Process Development
BIA Separations contributed to the development of the manufacturing process for Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec), a gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) developed by AveXis (later acquired by Novartis). CIM monolithic columns were integrated into the AAV9 vector purification process, providing the scalable chromatographic platform essential for clinical and commercial production of this life-saving therapy.
Member of Slovenian Academy of Engineering
Elected as a member of the Slovenian Academy of Engineering (Inzenirska akademija Slovenije - IAS), in recognition of his outstanding contributions to engineering science and technology through the development of CIM monolithic chromatography and its successful commercialization and application in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
BIA Separations Acquired by Sartorius
Sartorius AG, the German pharmaceutical and laboratory equipment company, acquired BIA Separations for approximately EUR 360 million (approximately $423 million). The acquisition recognized the strategic importance of CIM monolithic chromatography technology in the rapidly growing market for gene therapy and viral vector manufacturing. Under Sartorius ownership, the company was rebranded as Sartorius BIA Separations while maintaining its operations and research center in Ajdovscina, Slovenia.
Scientific Advisor and Continued Research
Following the acquisition by Sartorius, Dr. Štrancar continues as a scientific advisor and active researcher, contributing to the advancement of monolithic chromatography technology. His ongoing work focuses on next-generation monolithic columns, novel applications in mRNA therapeutics and vaccine manufacturing, and expanding the boundaries of CIM technology for emerging biopharmaceutical modalities.