VST-Bio has generated humanized and human antibodies that can specifically regulate vascular permeability and vascular function through the VEGF receptor phosphorylation and has been shown to completely normalize vascular function after a single iv bolus of the antibody in diseases like acute ischemic stroke, and more.

VasoRx has been able to refine the 7C1 LNP/RNAi technology and has developed a new formulation that, for the first time, was able to generate nanoparticles that not only specifically target the vascular endothelium (vascular bed) but do not induce any inflammatory side effects, dramatically expanding the opportunities for developing RNA therapies for diseases of the cardiovascular system as well as oncology, autoimmune disease and infectious disease.As a first application, VasoRX has generated lipid nanoparticle/ RNAi therapies to inhibit and even reverse pulmonary hypertension and atherosclerosis, targetting the endothelial-to-mesenchymal cell transition that underlies vascular remodeling and chronic vascular inflammation.

Responsible for establishing company’s strategic R&D and medical clinical program. Head of Clinical and Scientific Affairs for with primary responsibilities including leading the coordination, development and execution of IDE and IND programs, post-market and investigator initiated clinical studies, driving strategic and tactical plans for clinical opportunities for multi-disciplinary team of direct reports and cross-functional resources.Currently initiation and execution of pivotal phase III IDE and IND trials to assess the efficacy of CardiAMP autologous and CardiALLO allogeneic stem cell therapy in patients with advanced heart failure, chronic myocardial ischemia and refractory angina using a companion diagnostic and point-of-care CardiAMP CS cell isolation device.

Provide strategic development, planning, implementation and medical oversight of Phase I- IV clinical trial programs within the Cardiovascular therapeutic area (interventional cardiology, biomarkers, stent technology, imaging, cell therapy). Provide support for business development in terms of potential synergistic partnerships with European and global network of medical centers and industry. Work closely with strategic partners in various stage development of cell therapy in cardiovascular indication.

The focus of our research is on gene discovery in the process of neoangiogenesis in health and disease. By using mouse and zebrafish genomics we have been able to identify new genetic regulators of embryonic and ischemic neoangiogenesis. Currently we are identifying the role of these genes in ischemic peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic plaque destabilisation and tumor angiogenesis.Another focus of the lab is the use of stem cell technology in the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular disease including acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure. We have been working on the use of mesenchymal(-like) stem cells in small and large animal models.In several clinical trials, we are also evaluating the effect of mesenchymal(-like) stem cell therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure (HEALING program, SEISMIC, APOLLO, ADVANCE, PRECISE, AMICI). Finally, we perform biomarker discovery in ischemic cardiovascular disease. We are currently developing the first ambulatory test to diagnose and quantify ischemic disease. The test have been validated in the first study enrolling 300 patients with ischemic heart disease.

In 1999, Dr. Duckers joined the staff of the ThoraxCenter Rotterdam (Erasmus University Medical Center), as a clinical cardiologist (2004), and later as senior interventional Cardiologist (2007). Since Dr. Duckers joined the ErasmusMC, he was able to independently set up a molecular cardiovascular biology program at the Thoraxcenter Rotterdam and has raised funding, recruited and trained the technical staff, PhD students and post doctoral fellows. In January 2005, the actual Molecular Cardiology Laboratory was set up within the Experimental Cardiology division (supervisor dr.HJ Duckers) of the Thoraxcenter Rotterdam. In the Thoraxcenter, he set up and coordinated several international randomized clinical trials and clinical programs.The focus of our research is on gene discovery in the process of neoangiogenesis in health and disease. By using mouse and zebrafish genomics we have been able to identify new genetic regulators of embryonic and ischemic neoangiogenesis. Currently we are identifying the role of these genes in ischemic peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic plaque destabilisation and tumor angiogenesis.Another focus of the lab is the use of stem cell technology in the treatment of ischemic cardiovascular disease including acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure. We have been working on the use of mesenchymal(-like) stem cells in small and large animal models.In several clinical trials, we are also evaluating the effect of mesenchymal(-like) stem cell therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure (HEALING program, SEISMIC, APOLLO, ADVANCE, PRECISE, AMICI). Finally, we perform biomarker discovery in ischemic cardiovascular disease. We are currently developing the first ambulatory test to diagnose and quantify ischemic disease. The test have been validated in the first study enrolling 300 patients with ischemic heart disease.

Founder, CEO and later CMO of this start-up Biotech company focusing on Biomarkers and Therapeutics for ischemic cardiovascular diseases. Responsible for the recruitment, retainment and development of financial and fiscal aspects of the company. Lead the pre-clinical and clinical validation of IP