Founders
Jean-Pol Detiffe
Industrial Pharmacist and Founder of OncoDNAJean-Pol is an QP industrial pharmacist and the founder and former CEO of OncoDNA SA. As the CEO, he played a crucial role in shaping the company's strategic direction and overseeing its operations.
Under Jean-Pol Detiffe's guidance, OncoDNA has established itself as a leading provider of next- generation sequencing (NGS) and molecular profiling solutions for cancer patients. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of services, including NGS testing, bioinformatics analysis, and clinical interpretation of genomic data. These services enable oncologists and healthcare professionals to make informed treatment decisions based on the unique molecular profile of each patient's tumor.
As the founder of OncoDNA, Jean-Pol Detiffe has been instrumental in driving the company's growth and expanding its international presence. Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, OncoDNA has been able to extend its reach and provide its services to healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and academic institutions worldwide.
With Jean-Pol Detiffe's expertise and vision, OncoRNA will continue to innovate in the field of personalize d cnacer immunotherapy, leveraging advanced technologies and data analytics to improve patient outcomes and contribute to the advancement of cancer research. As part-time CEO of OncoRNA, Jean-Pol Detiffe is dedicated to driving the company's mission of revolutionizing cancer care through PRCIT and empowering healthcare professionals with novel therapeutic options for their patients.
Christophe Van Huffel, PhD
Founder - CSO
Christopher Van Huffel, Ph.D., is an accomplished professional with a strong background in biological chemistry and management. He holds a Doctorate in Biological Chemistry from the University of Brussels (ULB) in Belgium, where he received high distinction for his research. Additionally, he completed an Executive Master in Management from Solvay Business School.
Dr. Van Huffel's extensive professional experience spans various roles in leading organizations, showcasing his expertise and leadership:
As the Personal Cancer Vaccine Project Lead at OncoRNA, within OncoDNA SA, he spearheads the development of personalized cancer vaccines and leads the project's strategic direction.
Previously he served as a part-time Business Development Manager at MyNEO NV in Ghent, focusing on bioinformatic AI solutions for optimized identification and in-silico validation of neoantigens. Alongside his other responsibilities, Dr. Van Huffel also serves as the Business Development representative at OncoDNA SA. In this capacity, he fosters collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and biotech industries, facilitating the adoption of OncoDNA's cancer theranostic services. Previously, Christophe was Bioprocess Department Director at Pall Corporation (May 2015 - Jan 2017), a multinational company in the high-tech filtration, separation and purification industry. In his current role, Christophe was in charge of Lab management of the Accelerator Development Service (PD) projects for Gene Therapy and Virus manufacturing and is managing a team of 10 scientists. Prior to this, Christophe was CEO of Targetome SA (Apr 2014 - Nov 2016), a company which is partnered with charities to attempt to solve unmet medical needs, using a novel biomarker discovery platform.
After his post-doc, Christophe worked as Scientist at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, a highly successful biotech start-up in Cambridge, MA, which has since become part of Takeda Pharmaceuticals. His tenure at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, from 1996 to 1998, allowed him to contribute significantly to the genomics department and advance cutting-edge research and development in the field oncology. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Christophe Van Huffel's contributions extend to being recognized as a co-author of the ground-breaking work that led to the Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded to Dr. Bruce Beutler in 2011. During his post-doctoral research at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute from 1993 to 1996, Dr. Van Huffel played a pivotal role in elaborating and implementing a highly successful strategy for the cloning of TLR4. His dedicated efforts and expertise significantly advanced our understanding of this crucial receptor and its implications in immunology.
With his academic achievements, extensive professional experience, and notable contributions to the field of immunology and oncology, Christophe brings invaluable expertise and leadership positioning our company for success in the cancer immunotherapy industry.
Advisors
A mix of famous immunologist, oncologist and veteran of vaccine industry
Prof. Pierre Coulie
Advisor
Pierre Coulie, a renowned immunologist and researcher, serves as a Scientific Advisor to OncoRNA, providing valuable insights and expertise in the field of cancer immunotherapy. With his extensive knowledge and experience, he plays a crucial role in shaping the development of OncoRNA's Personalized RNA Cancer Immunotherapy (PRCIT) platform.
As a Scientific Advisor, Pierre Coulie brings a wealth of expertise in the study of tumor antigens and the immune response against cancer. He has dedicated his career to understanding the complex interactions between the immune system and cancer cells, with a focus on identifying novel antigens that can be targeted for therapeutic purposes.
Coulie's contributions to the field of cancer immunology are highly regarded. His research has shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying immune recognition of cancer cells and has led to the identification and characterization of several cancer antigens. These findings have paved the way for the development of innovative immunotherapeutic approaches aimed at harnessing the power of the immune system to combat cancer.
With his deep understanding of tumor immunology and his involvement in pioneering research, Pierre Coulie provides invaluable guidance to OncoRNA in advancing their PRCIT platform. His insights help shape the strategic direction of the company, ensuring that the development of personalized RNA- based immunotherapies aligns with the latest scientific advancements and clinical needs.
Pierre Coulie's collaboration with OncoRNA strengthens the company's position as a leader in the field of personalized medicine and cancer immunotherapy. His expertise contributes to the ongoing efforts of OncoRNA to develop safe, effective, and targeted therapies that have the potential to revolutionize the treatment landscape for cancer patients.
Prof. Jean-Pascal Machiels
Lead Clinical Investigator
Prof. Jean-Pascal Machiels MD – PhD, is Head of the Department of Medical Oncology, is directing the unit of Innovative Therapies (Phase 1), is President of the EORTC Head & Neck Cancer Group and is a well-known figure in the field of oncology. He is a Belgian medical oncologist who has made significant contributions to cancer research and patient care. Dr. Machiels has expertise in various aspects of medical oncology, particularly in the treatment of head and neck cancers.
Dr. Machiels has an impressive academic background. He completed his medical degree at the Catholic University of Louvain (UCLouvain) in Belgium and subsequently specialized in internal medicine and medical oncology. He has been actively involved in clinical research, conducting numerous studies to explore novel treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.
With his extensive knowledge and expertise, Dr. Machiels has served as a consultant and advisor to various pharmaceutical companies, contributing to the development of innovative oncology therapies. He has also been involved in several international clinical trials, playing a pivotal role in evaluating the efficacy and safety of new treatments.
Dr. Machiels has published numerous research articles in reputable medical journals, sharing his findings and insights with the scientific community. His work has advanced our understanding of cancer biology, treatment approaches, and patient care.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Machiels is known for his dedication to patient care. He has provided compassionate and personalized treatment to countless individuals battling cancer. His expertise in medical oncology, particularly in the management of head and neck cancers, has made a significant impact on the lives of his patients.
Prof. Brat Vandekerckhove
Lead GMP manufacturing of PRCIT
Prof. Bart Vandekeckhove, as the head of the GMP unit Cell Therapy at UZGhent, has made remarkable strides in his role, showcasing his expertise in regulatory compliance and quality standards. One notable feat includes obtaining approvals from the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) for manufacturing doses in over 10 Phase 1 trials, with some advancing to become marketed therapies. Notably, his unit has recently secured approval for manufacturing mRNA and mRNA/LNP doses, including for a personalized cancer therapy program at UZGhent (Ingels 2022) These accomplishments underscore Bart's ability to navigate regulatory landscapes while ensuring adherence to stringent quality measures throughout the manufacturing process.
His expertise in manufacturing cell-based therapies and mRNA/LNP therapies demonstrates his in- depth knowledge of the complex processes involved in producing these advanced therapies. With his experience, Bart Vandekeckhove has been responsible for ensuring the successful translation of these therapies from the laboratory to the clinic.
Furthermore, the presence of a Qualified Person (QP) in Bart Vandekeckhove's department, who previously served as a QP at Pfizer's Puurs facility manufacturing Corminaty, adds another layer of expertise and regulatory knowledge to the manufacturing process. The experience of the QP in complying with strict regulatory standards at a well-established pharmaceutical company such as Pfizer enhances the confidence in the quality and compliance of the manufactured doses.
Bart Vandekeckhove's ability to secure FAMHP approval for GMP manufacturing, along with the expertise of the QP in his department, underscores their commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance in the manufacturing of advanced therapies. These achievements position Bart Vandekeckhove as a skilled leader in the field, with the capacity to successfully manage and deliver manufacturing capabilities for innovative therapies in collaboration with academic and commercial partners.
