Orfenix is proud to announce that Ivo de Nooijer has formally joined Orfenix as a shareholder and partner as of 1 July 2024. Vincent van de Wel, the founder, said, “Ivo joining this team is the next step in the development of Orfenix; Ivo brings extensive expertise in legal and IP issues and university technology transfer, as well as a strong network, national and international. His contribution will help Orfenix grow as a company and build out the team by adding key expertise to fulfil our mission.” Although Ivo has been working in multiple capacities with Orfenix for several years, the relationship was intensified in September 2023 when Vincent and Ivo agreed that by joining forces, they could create more impact and have Orfenix realise its full potential.
With his experience as well as his wide-ranging educational background, Ivo has academic degrees in biopharmaceutics, law, and history and expects to receive his PhD early next year; he offers an excellent addition to the team. He provides access to novel expertise and people while also being able to engage in more technical life sciences-related discussions because of this background. Next to his work at Orfenix, he is a reserve officer in the Royal Netherlands Airforce.
Orfenix’s journey began in 2016 with an ambitious project initiated by Vincent van der Wel. Ivo brought the project to Vincent’s attention and introduced him and his team members to key individuals in the Leiden bioscience ecosystem. Vincent and his team subsequently embarked on a mission that eventually evolved into Orfenix. From its inception, his project was designed to support access to patients and explore innovative business models in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly to use the potential of repurposing existing drugs. This effective availability of products for patients is a common thread in Ivo’s activities as well.
Ivo initially worked at a Unilever company in a commercial role before becoming an IP lawyer at NautaDutilh, an international law firm. He subsequently joined Leiden University’s technology transfer organisation, Luris. He left Luris as its director in 2019 and was involved in a large number of public-private partnerships, advising clients, including universities, companies, and charities. He was the key architect of Biotech Booster and played a key role in the development of socially responsible licensing principles. This project was initiated by the Dutch university medical centres in 2019 and resulted in foundational principles as well as several tools to apply these, one of which was the negotiation model Vincent was involved in developing.
However, this was not the first or only time Vincent and Ivo collaborated. While not yet part of Orfenix, Vincent and Ivo played crucial roles in launching the Future Affordable and Sustainable Therapies (FAST) initiative, a public organisation aimed at accelerating new therapy development while ensuring sustainable access and affordability for patients. They support the nascent organisation to identify opportunities and clarify its role and mission within the wider life sciences and healthcare landscape. In doing so, they supported the development of a wider framework that aims to provide patients access to relevant and affordable medication.
With Ivo joining Orfenix, the company is taking this development further. The company has recently expanded by initiating its third major project, and there are several more which are expected to be commenced within the course of the next year. Projects that are based on repurposing and Orfenix’s commitment to socially responsible licensing but move outside of the orphan disease space where the existing projects focus. These projects will leverage the strength of researchers in universities and university hospitals and work with them to jointly create a positive impact on healthcare and medicine.
Given the tremendous work being done in Dutch universities and medical centres and the untapped potential that repurposing offers, Orfenix is well-placed to support these initiatives by providing relevant clinical development and CMC support to move promising projects forward. Ivo’s involvement in Orfenix will enhance the company’s capabilities when it comes to early-stage entrepreneurship and dealing with IP in the context of the life science and health sector. It is thereby better placed to setup effective collaborations and companies with partners across the life sciences and health sector.
The name “Orfenix” draws inspiration from the mythical phoenix, orphan, and the legendary figure Orpheus. Just as the phoenix symbolizes renewal and rebirth, Orfenix embodies a transformative approach to drug development and innovation. It signifies the company’s commitment to revitalizing existing drugs through repurposing, symbolizing resilience and the potential for profound change in healthcare. Orphan refers to the fact that the company was established to develop solutions for rare diseases, so called ‘orphan drugs’. Finally, the combination of “Orpheus,” known for his artistic and healing abilities, and “phoenix,” a timeless symbol of regeneration, reflects Orfenix’s mission to foster innovation while adhering to socially responsible licensing practices in the pharmaceutical industry.
Orfenix Embarks on a New Chapter with Strategic Partnership
In a move that signals its continued growth and evolution, Orfenix has announced that Ivo de Nooijer has formally joined the company as a shareholder and partner as of July 1, 2024. This partnership is poised to bring a wealth of expertise to the company, supporting its mission to change drug development and improve patient access to essential medicines.
Vincent van der Wel, the founder of Orfenix, expressed his enthusiasm about this new chapter, stating, “Ivo joining this team is the next step in the development of Orfenix. Ivo brings extensive expertise in legal and intellectual property (IP) issues, as well as in university technology transfer. His strong network, both national and international, will help Orfenix grow as a company and build out the team by adding key expertise to fulfil our mission.”
While Ivo has been collaborating with Orfenix in various capacities for several years, their relationship intensified in September 2023, when Vincent and Ivo realized that joining forces would allow them to create a greater impact and help Orfenix realize its full potential. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey, which began with an ambitious project launched by Vincent.
A Strategic Partnership Rooted in Expertise and Vision
Ivo de Nooijer brings a diverse and impressive background to Orfenix, making him a valuable addition to the team. With academic degrees in biopharmaceutics, law, and history, and the expectation of receiving his PhD early next year, Ivo is uniquely positioned to contribute across multiple domains. His extensive experience, particularly in the legal and IP sectors, combined with his academic background, allows him to engage in both the technical and strategic aspects of life sciences-related discussions.
Ivo’s career trajectory reflects his deep understanding of the intersection between law, technology, and healthcare. After starting in a commercial role at a Unilever company, he transitioned into IP law at NautaDutilh, an international law firm. His journey then led him to Leiden University’s technology transfer organization, Luris, where he eventually served as director. After he left he played a pivotal role in numerous public-private partnerships, advising clients ranging from universities to companies and charities. One of his key achievements was the development of socially responsible licensing principles, a project initiated by the Dutch university medical centers in 2019, which laid the groundwork for several tools, including a negotiation model that Vincent helped develop.
Orfenix: A Journey from Inception to Innovation
Orfenix’s story began in 2016, when Vincent van der Wel embarked on a mission to support patient access and explore innovative business models in the pharmaceutical industry. The focus was particularly on the repurposing of existing drugs, a field with significant potential for improving patient access. This vision was not only aligned with Vincent’s professional goals but also resonated deeply with Ivo’s commitment to ensuring the effective availability of medications for patients.
It was Ivo who initially brought the project to Vincent’s attention, introducing him and his team to key individuals within the Leiden bioscience ecosystem. This introduction proved to be a catalyst for the project, which gradually evolved into what is now Orfenix. From its inception, the company has been dedicated to pioneering new approaches in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the realm of drug repurposing. This approach not only accelerates the development of therapies but also makes them more accessible and affordable to patients, particularly those suffering from rare diseases, often referred to as “orphan” diseases.
Collaborative Success and Future Ambitions
The partnership between Vincent and Ivo has a history of success, having collaborated on various initiatives before officially joining forces at Orfenix. Notably, they played crucial roles in the launch of the Future Affordable and Sustainable Therapies (FAST) initiative. FAST is a public organization focused on accelerating the development of new therapies while ensuring sustainable access and affordability for patients. Their work with FAST has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s role and mission within the broader life sciences and healthcare landscape, and in developing a framework to provide patients with access to relevant and affordable medications.
With Ivo now officially on board, Orfenix is poised to build on these achievements and take its mission even further. The company has recently expanded its portfolio by initiating its third major project, with several more expected to commence within the next year. These new projects, while still rooted in Orfenix’s commitment to socially responsible licensing, will explore opportunities beyond the orphan disease space, tapping into the vast potential of repurposing existing drugs to address a wider range of health conditions.
Orfenix’s strategy involves leveraging the strengths of researchers in universities and university hospitals, working closely with them to create a positive impact on healthcare and medicine. The company’s expansion into new areas of drug repurposing is a testament to its ambition and commitment to innovation. Given the tremendous work being done in Dutch universities and medical centres and the untapped potential that drug repurposing offers, Orfenix is well-positioned to support these initiatives. By providing relevant clinical development and Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) support, Orfenix aims to move promising projects forward, ensuring that they translate into tangible benefits for patients.
Looking Ahead: A Future of Growth and Impact
As Orfenix moves forward, the addition of Ivo de Nooijer as a partner represents more than just a new phase for the company; it is a reaffirmation of its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and social responsibility. With Ivo’s expertise and network, Orfenix is better equipped than ever to navigate the complexities of early-stage entrepreneurship and IP management in the life sciences and health sector. This strategic partnership enhances Orfenix’s ability to set up effective collaborations and create companies that can make a real difference in the healthcare landscape.
The journey of Orfenix is one of continuous evolution, driven by a passion for making a positive impact on health. As the company expands its projects and explores new opportunities, it remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that the benefits of innovation are accessible to all. The partnership with Ivo de Nooijer marks a significant step in this journey, one that promises to bring Orfenix closer to its goal of transforming healthcare through innovation and responsible practices.
