BIO STUDIO PROJECT
Y-king Biologics
To develop a proprietary antibody platform technology allowing for engineering pH-dependent antigen binding properties into any monoclonal antibody based on an immunoglobulin scaffold. The project has a broad disease focus.
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.
"Rikke holds a PhD in biochemisty and molecular biology from Aarhus University and has worked with antibody discovery for almost ten years at Novo Nordisk, where she was a key contributor in developing a monoclonal antibody (mAb) production platform. Rikke also has significant entrepreneurial experience, most recent as the CEO and Founder of BEO Therapeutics in Switzerland."
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"Andreas Laustsen is Professor & Center Director at DTU Bioengineering. He is an expert on antibody technology, including design, discovery, and characterization. Moreover, he is specialized in toxinology and has focused much of his research on developing dif..."
Read morePROJECT FAQ
Q&A with Entrepreneur in Residence, Rikke Christina Nielsen:
Why have you decided to join Y-king Biologics as an Entrepreneur in Residence?
Building a new business based on fascinating academic science is an exciting challenge. Further, the team behind the scientific idea was composed of excellent researchers who already had experience building biotech companies. It quickly became apparent that a platform for creating pH-dependent antibodies has enormous commercial potential and an opportunity to offer patients better treatments.
What is your role as an Entrepreneur in Residence?
The role of EIR is to anchor the project. In this type of entrepreneurial project, the waves come rolling in, and the EIR steadily sets the project’s direction.
On a day-to-day basis, I will work towards creating the best conditions for the team to focus on science and help set the direction of the research efforts.
What attracted you to become a part of BII’s entrepreneurial community?
The BII community and the BioStudio program offer an attractive opportunity to mature academic research into a business. The ‘bridge’ that BII provides between academia and biotech is unique in the amount of funding it offers and the support a project receives from BII’s staff. The participating projects have three years to mature their ideas. With support from the BII community (e.g., P&O, IP, finance, business development), the team can focus on the science and the core business.
Furthermore, BII’s infrastructure and building are excellent.
What are some of the biggest learnings from your career that you bring to your position as an Entrepreneur in Residence?
My experience covers both working in pharma, biotech and starting a business. Working across all sizes and types of companies has added to my learnings. From pharma, I have learned to think strategically about science and business; from biotech, I have learned the strength and motivation of focus and short decision pathways. At BII, you can combine the best of the two worlds. You are offered BII support with aspects of strategy and business while you can keep the agility of a startup.
What are some of your short-term plans for this new role?
I plan to build a small team of friendly, skilled people who can work well together and have fun. I am also still getting acquainted with BII and its systems and processes.
How have previous experiences shaped your approach to the role of Entrepreneur in Residence?
From previous experiences, I have learned that startups are like rollercoasters. I have also learned that problems that seem big when you meet them the first time can be managed, and the best option is to keep calm and analyze your options.