Leiden University has re-appointed Prof. Dr. Gideon Kersten to the Chair in Vaccine Development for a third 5-year term.

Coriolis Pharma Research today announced that the Special Chair in Vaccine Development at Leiden University has been re-awarded to Prof. Dr. Gideon Kersten, Scientific Advisor at Coriolis Pharma.

The Special Chair in the Department of Biopharmaceutics at the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) was established 10 years ago and will continue for a third five-year term.

In the context of pharmaceutical research and teaching, the Chair focuses on the characterization and stabilization of complex biopharmaceutical drugs and vaccines. These include proteins, nucleic acids, viruses and cells. To ensure high and consistent clinical efficacy with minimal adverse effects, these drugs must be formulated into stable, safe and easy-to-use products.

“It is an honor to continue working for Leiden University for the next five years, to share my knowledge with the students and staff of the Institute and contribute to the scientific community with scientific publications,” said Prof. Kersten.

Prof. Kersten is an eminent vaccinologist with more than three decades of experience in vaccine development. While working in the Vaccine Department of the Institute of Public Health in the Netherlands, Prof. Kersten played an active role in the development of new vaccines and the improvement of existing vaccines, such as polio and pertussis vaccines. As department head, he was responsible for analytical development and vaccine formulation. Since 2020, Prof. Kersten is working full-time as a Scientific Advisor at Coriolis Pharma, a contract research organization with significant expertise in Formulation Research and Development, Analytical Services and non-GMP Manufacturing with innovative high-value biologics.

“We are very pleased to continue having Prof. Kersten on board ," said Prof. Hubertus Irth, Scientific Director of LACDR. “With his extensive experience and his involvement in pharmaceutical drug product development projects at Coriolis Pharma, Prof. Kersten will be of great value to both the research and educational efforts of our institute.”

Prof. Dr. Gideon Kersten

About LACDR

The Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) is an internationally renowned center of excellence for multidisciplinary research on drug discovery and development. It is one of the eight institutes of the faculty of Science of Leiden university. The research of LACDR focuses on drug design and fundamental research of new drugs, optimization of existing drugs and personalized medicines. The institute provides Bachelor and Master programs in Bio-pharmaceutical Sciences as well as a PhD program.

About Coriolis Pharma

Coriolis Pharma is a globally operating contract research and development organization (CRDO) and one of the world leaders in formulation research and development of (bio)pharmaceutical drugs, including cell and gene therapy products and vaccines. It is the vision of Coriolis to revolutionize the development process of biopharmaceutical drugs by integrating innovative digital formulation approaches from drug development to commercial products. With its interdisciplinary team of highly skilled scientists and an expert scientific advisory board, Coriolis provides cutting-edge services and tailor-made solutions for its clients. Coriolis was founded in 2008 and currently employs more than 200 employees from over 36 nations around the world.