AdaptVac was founded in 2017. Based on a ground-breaking capsid Virus-like Particle (cVLP) platform technology invented at the University of Copenhagen, we aim to accelerate the development of long-lasting, highly efficient therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines within high value segments of oncology, infectious diseases, and immunological disorders. Apart from high commercial value assets, we are also involved in equitable access vaccine development. The company is owned by NextGen Vaccines ApS (66%) and ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies ApS (34%).
THE TEAM
WIAN DE JONGH
CEO
Dr. de Jongh has a M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa and was awarded a doctorate in Biotechnology from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Furthermore, Dr. de Jongh was awarded an affiliated associate professorship at DTU in 2017. Dr. de Jongh has 15 years experience in the Biopharmaceutical industry, 9 years as CSO and co-founder of NASDAQ First North listed ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies.
PROF. ADAM SANDER
CSO
Board member
Professor Adam Sander has a M.Sc. in medical parasitology and holds a Ph.D. in molecular medicin at University of Copenhagen. Dr. Sander has expertise in protein engineering, vaccinology and molecular biology and is heading a research team working with development of vaccine delivery platforms. Dr. Sander is the main inventor of the split-protein VLP vaccine platform, which forms the basis of AdaptVac’s proprietary technology. Dr. Sander is a co-founder of NextGen Vaccines.
GILES DUDLEY
CBO
Dr. Giles Dudley has over 18 years experience of the life science industry this includes business development, investment, and technology transfer roles. Most recently he was director of business development at the BII Innovation Institute, which is part of the Novo Nordisk Family. During this time, he drove international business development activity for a number of portfolio companies across the therapeutic space that secured successfully secured venture & corporate financing.
PROF. MORTEN NIELSEN
COO
Chairman of the Board
Dr. Nielsen is a Professor at Copenhagen University and has hands on expertise in process design within CMC as well as Toxicity, Stability and Potency testing. Furthermore, he has been involved in the shaping and writing clinical protocol, the Investigators Brochure and IMPD, as well as participated in writing of the clinical protocol for two clinical trials. Professor Morten A Nielsen is a co-founder of VAR2 Pharmaceuticals, VarCT Diagnostics, and NextGen Vaccines.
CYRIELLE FOUGEROUX
TEAM LEADER
Dr. Cyrielle Fougeroux has an M.Sc. in immunology, microbiology, and virology with a specialty in immunology from the University of Paris Diderot (Paris 7), followed by a Ph.D. in immunology and infectious disease from the University of Copenhagen. Dr. Fougeroux has a deep knowledge of immunology and vaccinology and manages the team on a daily basis. Dr Fougeroux played a central role in developing the AdaptVac SARS-CoV2 vaccine (ABNCoV2) by leading the research team during the pandemic.
LOUISE GOKSØYR
PROJECT LEAD
Dr. Louise Goksøyr has a M.Sc. in Biochemistry with a specialization in Protein chemistry from the University of Copenhagen and holds an Industrial Ph.D. in Immunology and Infectious Diseases in a collaboration between AdaptVac and the Centre for Medical Parasitology at the University of Copenhagen. Dr. Goksøyr has been working with vaccine development and the split-protein cVLP vaccine platform since 2017, primarily with a focus on targeting self-antigens for the treatment of non-infectious diseases, such as cancer, allergy, and chronic diseases.
SVEN HENDRIK HAGEN
SCIENTIST
Dr. Sven Hendrik Hagen holds a M.Sc. in Molecular and Applied Biotechnology from RWTH Aachen University in Germany. He received his PhD from the University of Hamburg after working at the Leibniz Institute of Virology in Hamburg focusing on the investigation of sex-specific disparities in immunity. With a strong background in immunology, Dr. Hagen’s primary role within the company revolves around characterizing the cellular immune response post-vaccination and exploring new strategies for enhancing the current vaccine platforms.
SANNA VESTERGAARD
LAB MANAGER
Sanna Vestergaard has an AP degree in Chemical and Biotechnical Science from University College Copenhagen. Since 2020 she has gained expertise with the split-protein cVLP vaccine platform and has responsibility for AdaptVac's laboratories. She performs a diverse array of methods ranging from expression in different protein production systems, purification of proteins and immunological read-outs.
BOARD MEMBERS
DR. ALLAN ROSETZSKY
Board Member
Dr. Allan Rosetzsky graduated as a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Copenhagen in 1973. Dr Rosetzsky followingly worked in the Danish health care system for years before holding several leading positions within the drug development of the Rhone-Poulenc Group during which he received General Management education at Ashridge Management College in the UK. For five years he was based in Paris with worldwide responsibilities. In addition, he has founded, developed and run the clinical development company, KLIFO, an internationally renowned Danish clinical contract research company. Dr. Rosetzsky is furthermore an active member of the Business Angels Öresund.
PROF. ALI SALANTI
Board Member
Dr. Ali Salanti is founder and CEO of VAR2 Pharmaceuticals. He holds a Ph.D. in medicine and is Professor at University of Copenhagen. AS has a strong background in molecular biology and translational medicine, and he is currently running a clinical development program for a malaria vaccine. He received an ERC consolidator grant in 2014. Dr. Salanti is a co-founder of VAR2 Pharmaceuticals, VarCT Diagnostics, and NextGen Vaccines.
PROF. MORTEN NIELSEN
Chairman of the Board
Dr. Nielsen is a Professor at Copenhagen University and has hands on expertise in process design within CMC as well as Toxicity, Stability and Potency testing. Furthermore, he has been involved in the shaping and writing clinical protocol, the Investigators Brochure and IMPD, as well as participated in writing of the clinical protocol for two clinical trials. Professor Morten A Nielsen is a co-founder of VAR2 Pharmaceuticals, VarCT Diagnostics, and NextGen Vaccines.
JACOB HJULMAND
Board Member
Jacob Hjulmand has 25 years of professional experience in management, finance, and business development positions in multinational companies including A.P. Moller-Maersk, Dyrup and Novozymes. Jacob graduated as M.Sc. in Economics from University of Copenhagen in 1996 and has been CEO of Gudbjørg and Ejnar Honorés Fond since 2015.