Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 04:56 pm
Renowned molecular biologist and entrepreneur Björn Cochlovius Ph.D. has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of German biotechnology company Eleva, the developer of ‘Bryotechnology’ – a unique process for the moss-based production of complex therapeutic proteins.
Cochlovius brings nearly three decades of scientific, entrepreneurial and advisory experience to the role. He expressed his enthusiasm for his new challenge: “I am very much looking forward to my new challenge. Eleva is in a crucial phase of its history. The task now is to transfer its more than 20 years of rigorous research and development work by its team of excellent scientists to industrial and medical practice. ‘Bryotechnology’ is the most promising plant-based manufacturing process for complex therapeutic proteins and a unique approach to treating rare and underserved diseases.”
The CEO also discussed the potential of their drug candidates, which are set to enter clinical phase I next year: “Patients with no or difficult access to effective treatment for their diseases, some of which are rare, and their doctors will thus benefit from novel treatment options with effective drugs that are produced safely and have few side effects.”
In addition to his professional, strategic and operational know-how, Cochlovius brings with him an international network that will aid Eleva in achieving further success in the market. During his career, he has held various roles, including researcher at the German Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg, (co-)founder of diverse biotech companies, business developer at Roche Pharmaceuticals, Otsuka and AbbVie, and consultant for pharmaceutical and biotech companies and CDMOs.
Eleva is a privately funded biotechnology company with 34 employees, headquartered in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. Since its foundation in 1999, the company has been researching and developing a moss-based technology platform for the production of complex proteins for the therapeutic treatment of various diseases, some of which are rare and underserved.
Fabienne Zeitter, Press Contact at Eleva, commented: “Björn Cochlovius’ appointment as CEO of Eleva will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the company and help to unlock the economic development and production of challenging recombinant proteins. His international network will also help to align the company and advance its market success.”
Today, seasoned molecular biologist and entrepreneur Björn Cochlovius Ph.D. has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of German biotechnology company Eleva. With nearly three decades of scientific, entrepreneurial, and advisory experience and an international network to back him, Cochlovius is well placed to lead the company as it progresses its own drug candidates through the clinical phases, unlock the economic development and production of challenging recombinant proteins and benefit patients with no or difficult access to effective treatments for their diseases.
