BIO STUDIO PROJECT
Pivot
The Pivot project intends to deliver a first in class glycan-based therapeutic for biofilm forming chronic lung infection, with the potential to expand to other infection markets. This program is backed by a novel glycan therapeutic development platform poised to address indications in biofilm-related infectious diseases.
About the Bio Studio program
The Bio Studio Program supports world-class entrepreneurial academic researchers in translating their science into innovative products and solutions. The program’s projects will join BII and establish a team that will work in BII’s office and lab space alongside other Bio Studio projects and start-ups. Bio Studio projects will be supported by a tailored program to develop the teams’ entrepreneurial and commercial competencies and by dedicated BII anchors to help guide project progression.
"Prof. Ribbeck obtained her Bachelor’s degree and her PhD in Biology from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. She continued her postdoctoral research at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany, and the Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School. Katharina Ribbeck established her independent research group as a Bauer Fellow at the FAS Center for Systems Biology, Harvard Univer..."
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"Matthew Wolfgang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Marsico Lung Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Wolfgang lab studies the pathogenesis of chronic respiratory infection in muco-obstructive airway diseases (CF, COPD, non-CF bronchiectasis). The lab has pioneered novel systems and preclinical models to address the unmet medical need assoc..."
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"Nikolaj works as an Entrepreneur in Residence in BII's Bio Studio program. Nikolaj has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Copenhagen and has worked in academic groups studying lipid biology in Molecular Plant Biology and Oncology. Before becoming an Entrepreneur in Residence, he worked nine years with rare lysosomal and neurodegenerative diseases in a Danish startup, Orphazyme. Here, he worked wi..."
Read morePROJECT FAQ
Interview with Nikolaj Petersen:
Why have you decided to join the Pivot project as an Entrepreneur in Residence?
Firstly, I joined Pivot because the project addresses one of the most significant challenges to the worldwide healthcare systems in a novel way. That challenge is, of course, microbial drug resistance. It is very inspiring and motivating to always have that overall goal in mind. Second, I joined the project because of the team involved. Professor Katharina Ribbeck and Professor Matthew Wolfgang are brilliant researchers and great people. Also, I am excited to gain experience from the US biotech ecosystem and contribute to the interaction with the ecosystem we are building in Denmark generally and at BII specifically.
What is your role as an Entrepreneur in Residence?
The role is multifaceted, which is a big part of why I am attracted to it. In Pivot, I will manage the local scientists at BII while facilitating coordination and communication with the groups in Dr. Ribbeck and Dr. Wolfgang’s labs in the US. I am responsible for driving the project toward company creation, ensuring we generate a coherent and convincing data package to use when talking to potential investors.
What attracted you to become a part of BII’s entrepreneurial community?
The depth of commitment and ambitions is palpable when you enter the BII offices. Creating benefits for people and society is at the heart of everything. Perhaps even more critical, though, are the people who work here. So many competencies and great minds are gathered in one place, in all the start-ups and the core BII staff.
What are some of the biggest learnings from your career that you bring to your position as an Entrepreneur in Residence?
My journey as EiR started in late 2023 when I joined another Bio Studio project, Neurophase. Before that I was employed at BII for just over a year in a different role, where I helped build the infrastructure of the Bio Studio program and served as an anchor for some of the first projects in the program. That gives me a head start in understanding a Bio Studio project’s setup, goals, and ambitions. Outside of that, I have previously had a long stint in a start-up company that went from early research to regulatory submissions in the US and EU, ultimately serving as Senior Director of Non-Clinical research. That experience has taught me a lot about the ups and downs of scientific projects and the importance of early data in shaping the journey toward the final product.
What are some of your near-term plans for this new role?
The first step is to establish the team. Everything starts with the people and competencies in the group and how they work together across roles and countries. Then, we need to establish the technology here at BII while revisiting the project and making it more detailed. And, of course, making sure that this will be a fun and inspiring project to be a part of!
How have previous experiences shaped your approach to the role of Entrepreneur in Residence?
Being in a start-up can be so much fun, especially if you remember to stop and reflect on what has been achieved. When faced with inevitable setbacks and surprises, this becomes even more important. I also find it rewarding to feel the sense of unity that comes with having a clear goal!
“As soon as antibiotics came on the market, those were the magic bullets you could fire against almost any disease. Thus, our understanding of mucus and how we can leverage the mucus barrier to reprogram opportunistic pathogens into a state that domesticates them is something we haven’t focused on even though it holds a large therapeutic potential and could help patients and society.”
“The Pivot project addresses one of the most significant challenges to the worldwide healthcare systems in a novel way. That challenge is, of course, microbial drug resistance. It is very inspiring and motivating to always have that overall goal in mind.”
“Lung infections are on the top five of leading causes of death globally and antimicrobial treatment fails in up to 40% of patients. The PIVOT platform holds potential to reduce and optimally eliminate the need for antibiotics – not only in lung infections but also beyond – and thereby tackle the growing threat from antibiotic-resistant pathogens.”
“We have worked continuously to mimic human lung infections to create animal models for drug testing. From our experience, these chronic lung infections are complicated to treat with current antibiotic treatment largely because it creates this biofilm lifestyle of the bacteria. With the synergies between my lab’s research and Katharina’s, we hope to develop novel alternatives to treat chronic lung infections.”
