Leyden Labs stopping the infection at the gate

We all harbor and spread respiratory viruses. Moreover, we are often in the dark when initial infection & transmission occurs. This is something we have seen in recent years: for both influenza and covid, we have a very real problem of asymptomatic spread.

This is why at Leyden Labs, we want to stop infections early on, at the very gate through which they enter. In the case of respiratory viruses: the nasal mucosa.

Our company is developing nasal sprays containing antibodies that target respiratory viruses in the nasal mucosa. These sprays aim to:

  • Stop the initial infection at the gate: which can prevent onward transmission.
  • Protect broadly against existing and new viruses.
  • Provide universal protection, regardless of an individual’s immune history or comorbidities.

With our products, we fight viruses where they fight us, to prepare us for future endemic and pandemic threats.

approach-illustration

Created with BioRender.com

divider-L-1

Love Hugs

divider-L_2

our new Approach

Leyden Labs’ mastering mucosal immunity

Our products are built upon a strong scientific platform that is anchored by two pillars: harnessing mucosal immunity and broad protection.

Harnessing mucosal immunity

Our nasal sprays deliver antibodies directly to the nasal mucosa to provide the user with immediate anti-viral protection. Our work is supported by a growing body of evidence suggesting that mucosal delivery of some antibodies can provide more effective protection compared to systemic administration. Once antibodies are at the nasal mucosa, they can efficiently target invading virus particles, and harness our immune systems.

However, the nasal mucosa is a complex environment that has a variety of cell types, biomolecules and other particles that we breathe in on a daily basis. New technologies are helping us optimize the administration of intranasally-delivered antibodies. At Leyden Labs, we are experts on antibody modification for mucosal administration and partner with leading intranasal formulation & device companies.

Enduring broad protection by targeting specific epitopes

Respiratory viruses show high rates of evolution, such that viral proteins continuously acquire new mutations. This can lead to the generation of viral variants that are capable of escaping the immune response induced by prior infection and/or vaccination. Therefore, antiviral therapies that are under development must provide lasting protection to avoid becoming obsolete with the arrival of new viral strains.

This is why we choose to develop active substances that target regions that lend themselves to lasting protection. It allows us to protect against multiple strains and entire virus families, including existing variants – and possibly, new viruses that might arise in the future.

Our inspiration is CR9114 – the most broadly-neutralizing antibody identified to date. The discovery of CR9114 was led by our Chief Scientific Officer Jaap Goudsmit more than 10 years ago.  In a recent article published in Frontiers in Virology, our team dives into the extensive research surrounding CR9114’s unique breadth and mechanisms of protection against influenza A & B.  (Check out more of Leyden Lab’s research outputs on the Publications tab).

Leyden Lab’s product candidates

We are working towards accessible and self-administrable products for autonomous protection. For our lead program PanFlu™, we have an exclusive license to develop and commercialize our lead compound. PanFlu™ is currently being tested in clinical trials.

divider-L-1

Love Sports

divider-L_2

our team

We challenge limits

The city of Leiden (The Netherlands) inspired our name. For centuries, Leiden is known for unconventional thinking, the freedom to express this openly and scientific breakthroughs such as the first publications of Galileo’s famous Discorsi.

Our team of energetic, experienced and curious people is ready to go beyond to accomplish our mission. We strive for a fantastic life for all people. We aim for the highest, think unconventionally and focus relentlessly on delivering the impossible. In our team trust, integrity and inclusiveness are a given.

Our team

Meet our fantastic team. Together, we work towards our mission of freeing you from viruses.

Koenraad Wiedhaup Founder and CEO at Leyden Labs

Koenraad Wiedhaup

Founder and Chief Executive Officer
 

Jaap Goudsmit Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Leyden Labs

Jaap Goudsmit

Founder and Chief Scientific Officer / Chief Medical Officer

Ronald Brus Founder and Chief Business Officer at Leyden labs

Ronald Brus

Founder and Chief Growth Officer
 

LL-Marieke-2

Marieke van der Lans

Chief Financial Officer

LL-Xavier

Xavier Maes

General Counsel

LL-Clarissa-1

Clarissa Koch

VP of Research

LL-Zoltan

Zoltán Magyarics

VP of Development

LL-Mike

Mike Shaw

VP of Business Development

LL-Sagrario

Sagrario Arias Rivas

Research Partnerships 

LL-Anna-2

Anna Beukenhorst

Scientific Data

LL-Kristian

Kristian Bolk

People

LL-Chris

Chris Dachwitz

IT

LL-Ilse

Ilse Haisma

R&D Operations

LL-Boris

Boris Juelg

Medical

Wouter Koudstaal Discovery at Leyden Labs

Wouter Koudstaal

Product Lead Discovery

LL-Ted

Ted Kwaks

Early Research

LL-Fergus

Fergus Manford

IP

LL-Maurice

Maurice Mannesse

CMC

LL-Ian

Ian McGuiness

Regulatory Affairs

LL-Stephan

Stephen Mc Nally

Quality

LL-Amanda

Amanda Motto

Finance & Control

LL-Kerri

Kerri Pierz

Market Development

LL-Robin

Robin Rogiers

Medical

LL-Thomas

Thomas Thunnissen

Procurement en Partnerships

LL-Rene-Verdonk

René Verdonk

Program Management

Dennis de Vlaam Head of Operations at Leyden Labs

Dennis de Vlaam

Business Development

LL-Marianne-W

Marianne Wooning

Clinical Operations

Our Supervisory Board

Dinko Valerio
Founder and Chair of the Supervisory Board

John Martin (In memoriam)
Former CEO Gilead Sciences

Onno van de Stolpe
Former CEO Galapagos. 

James Shannon
Former CMO GSK and Global Head of Development at Novartis

Richard Whitley
Professor in Pediatrics and Microbiology, Medicine and Neurosurgery at University of Alabama

René Russo
Pharm.D., Chief Executive Officer of Xilio Therapeutics

David Schenkein
General Partner GV

Stephen Knight
President and Managing Partner F-Prime Capital

Eli Casdin
Chief Investment Officer and Founder Casdin Capital

Our investors

We are working together with a strong syndicate of investors and ambassadors. Our investors are GV (formerly Google Ventures), F-Prime Capital, Casdin Capital, Byers Capital / Brook Byers, Softbank Vision Fund 2, Invus and Bluebird Ventures.

GV_logo
F-Prime
Casdin
buyers-capital-brook-byers
Softbank
Invus
bluebird-venture-1

our values

join our mission

Become part of our journey

At Leyden Labs, we want to free humanity from the burden of respiratory viruses to let people live life to the fullest. We are moving fast and growing quickly. Are you interested in contributing?

Partners

We work closely together with academics, commercial researchers and other commercial parties to further develop our business.

Institutions and Governments

We aim to prepare society for future pandemics and are keen to help governments and institutions do so.

Investors

We are open to discussions with interested investors.

People

We are growing quickly and always looking for the best people to work with.

divider-L-1

Love Life

divider-L_2
LL-Blue

Contact

Media inquiries

Stay updated

Leyden Laboratories B.V.

Leiden Laboratory
Emmy Noetherweg 2
2333 BK  Leiden
The Netherlands


Leyden Laboratories Co.

Boston Laboratory
201 Dexter Avenue
Watertown
MA 02472
United States


Leyden Labs, S.L.

Granada Office
Avda. del Conocimiento 41.A210
Centro de Empresas
Parque Tecnológico de la Salud
18016 Granada
Spain


© Leyden Labs, 2023  |  Privacy Statement  |  Design by Ape to Zebra

Back to top Arrow