How does your work help to shape the world of tomorrow?
I am the CEO of Genmab, which is currently the largest biotech company in Europe. Genmab’s R&D department is located in Utrecht Science Park. We work on the development of human antibody medicines for cancer. Genmab is a true engine of innovation for the next generation of cancer medicines. We have created a medicine, Darzalex®, which has been registered in the United States and Europe by our partner Janssen Biotech (part of Johnson & Johnson). Janssen is now rolling out this medicine further. Darzalex is currently on the market for certain patients with Kahler’s disease. This is a type of bone-marrow cancer and the third most common type of leukaemia. Darzalex has been found to be very efficient in treating this type of cancer. It can attack cancer cells in six different ways.
However, another probable function – which may prove even more important – is that it probably not only kills tumour cells but also stimulates the patient’s immune system to clear up malignant cells. If this really is the case, then Darzalex may work in many more types of tumour. Genmab has also introduced an antibody product to the market – Arzerra® (licenced to Novartis) – which treats certain types of chronic lymphatic leukaemia. We have a large number of products in the clinical and preclinical pipelines, and we are also developing new technologies to create even more effective antibody products.reerd in de Verenigde Staten en Europa. Janssen rolt dit nu verder uit. Darzalex is nu op de markt voor bepaalde patiënten met de Ziekte van Kahler. Dit is een vorm van kanker in het beenmerg en de derde meest voorkomende vorm van bloedkanker. Darzalex blijkt heel efficiënt voor dit type kanker. Het kan op zes verschillende manieren kankercellen aanpakken.
What does your work contribute to society? How does it impact me?
By developing new medicines to treat cancer, we hope to improve the lives of patients. The results for Darzalex have been impressive. It’s a medication whose possible side-effects can be effectively controlled. This medicine makes a huge difference to the lives of patients and their families. Various clinical studies have shown that even patients with late-stage cancers can benefit from the medicine.
What is your dream? What do you want to achieve in the next 5–10 years?
As an immunologist, I’ve always been extremely interested in how antibodies function in the body. We have taken our knowledge of the normal biology of antibodies and applied it to develop unique antibody medications for cancer. My dream is to downgrade cancer to a chronic illness and give patients a high quality of life. And this dream is edging ever closer to reality. We have already launched two cancer medicines and we have more in the pipeline.
Over the last 30 years, I have worked hard to understand how antibody medications work and I have worked with many inspirational people. I also enjoy teaching. I want to inspire students, young doctors and researchers to get the best out of themselves. I do this by telling stories about everyday practice. I also show that creating new medicines is a matter of teamwork. Every person within our company is vital to achieving this goal. I don’t really see it as work. It’s a passion, a calling. And it will ultimately make all the difference to the lives of patients and their families.
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