#Denmark #Copenhagen #GLP-1 #HERVolution #Jens Juul Holst

HERVolution Therapeutics Welcomes Professor Jens Juul Holst

In a significant development for the field of biotechnology and metabolic research, HERVolution Therapeutics has announced the appointment of Professor Jens Juul Holst, MD, DMSc, to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Known for his groundbreaking work in metabolic science, Holst is one of the co-discoverers of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an important hormone that has implications in diabetes and obesity treatment.

Professor Holst’s science-based insights will be instrumental as HERVolution forges ahead with its lead program, IPT-001. This innovative immunotherapy is designed to combat HERV-K, a retroviral element associated with age-related diseases, such as metabolic disorders. The intersection of Holst’s extensive knowledge and HERVolution's unique approach aims to create therapies that address the underlying causes of health challenges rather than merely their symptoms.

IPT-001 is categorized as a senolytic insulin sensitizer. It is engineered to provoke a targeted immune response against senescent cells that express HERV-K. In metabolic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, the presence of HERV-K has been linked to issues like cellular senescence and insulin resistance, making it an important focus for therapeutic intervention.

A Foundation of Excellence

Professor Holst has significantly shaped modern understanding of gut hormones and their role in glucose regulation and insulin secretion. With over 1900 published articles, he is one of the most cited researchers in medicine, holding an impressive h-index of 206. His illustrious career has earned him numerous accolades, including the Warren Alpert Foundation Prize and the Gairdner Award, among others.

His association with HERVolution is a strong endorsement of the pioneering biology underpinning IPT-001. J. Robert Coleman, CEO of HERVolution Therapeutics, expressed his enthusiasm about having Holst on board, stating, “Few people understand the physiology of metabolic disease as deeply as Jens. His insight will be invaluable as we translate HERV-K biology into a new therapeutic approach and prepare to enter the clinic.”

Addressing the Core Issues of Metabolic Disease

Holst's research has provided a comprehensive view of how chronic inflammation, cellular aging, and insulin resistance intertwine to produce serious metabolic conditions. By intentionally targeting HERV-K-expressing cells, the IPT-001 program aims to fundamentally address these biological processes at their source.

“I look forward to contributing my experience in metabolic physiology and translational research to help shape the company's first-in-human program,