What
Vaccine Discovery Platform
GlyProVac is a pre-clinical biotech platform developing new bacterial subunit vaccines using its patented BEMAP technology.
GlyProVac is a pre-clinical biotech platform developing new bacterial subunit vaccines using its patented BEMAP technology.
Problem
Antimicrobial Resistance
GlyProVac addresses the need for new bacterial vaccines to combatthe growing silent pandemic of antimicrobial treatment resistance.
GlyProVac addresses the need for new bacterial vaccines to combatthe growing silent pandemic of antimicrobial treatment resistance.
Solution
Novel BEMAP Technology
Starting with E. coli-based infections like UTIs, GlyProVac’s BEMAP platform is an engine for creating novel bacterial vaccines.
Starting with E. coli-based infections like UTIs, GlyProVac’s BEMAP platform is an engine for creating novel bacterial vaccines.
About
Using proprietary technologies to combat antibiotic resistance
In GlyProVac ApS we aim to design and develop novel, efficient bacterial vaccine candidates based on our proprietary platform technology BEMAP. Using BEMAP, we have revealed that both benign as well as disease causing bacteria such as E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Shigella. extensively modify their proteins with distinct sugar molecules, known as O-linked glycosylations. These modifications drastically influence the topology of the protein and are particularly well recognized by the human immune response.
Antibiotics resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest health challenges of the 21st century, compromising our ability to treat even simple infections. In 2050, 10 million people are expected to die yearly from untreatable microbial infections. New solutions are urgently needed, and vaccines offer a safe alternative to antibiotics.
Based on our paradigm changing discovery we believe inclusion of these modifications are crucial for the development of efficient bacterial vaccines. We are currently establishing PoC for this novel bacterial vaccine concept in Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) caused by E. coli with the GlyProVac antigen GPV02. GPV02 holds pan E. coli vaccine potential of not only UTIs, but also diarrhoea, neonatal sepsis and the severe infections associated with Healthcare associated UTIs.
Technology
The novel BEMAP Technology
The GlyProVac BEMAP technology is a powerful sample enrichment method based on mass spectrometry, which allows comprehensive identification of any type of O-linked protein glycosylation. BEMAP is an extension of an SDU proprietary method, which was originally developed for enrichment of phosphopeptides. The BEMAP reaction efficiently substitutes O-linked carbohydrate moieties with a 2-aminoethyl phosphonic acid (AEP) group using base-catalysed β-elimination followed by Michael addition of the tag, thus allowing for selective peptide isolation using titanium dioxide.
Using BEMAP we have discovered that bacterial O-linked glycosylation is much more extensive than previously thought (see table below) and is especially important to Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) compared to the commensal E. coli counterpart.
The bacterial monosaccharide building blocks are absent from eukaryotic cells and thus constitute a distinguishing feature of bacteria with important roles in pathogenesis. Most, if not all the protein-based vaccines produced nowadays are produced in the non-pathogen bacterium, thereby disregarding the site-specific O-linked glycosylation.
We believe that O-linked glycoproteins are an emerging reservoir of attractive targets for antimicrobial intervention.
Conventional vs. GlyProVac Antigens
Conventional bare protein backbone antigen
GlyProVac antigen with native O-glycosylations
Funding Achievements
Private Placements
Non-dilutive Grants
2024: Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X). is awarding GlyProVac 467,000 US$ to develop a maternal vaccine that targets Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterial species that causes a large portion of neonatal sepsis infections in the project: GPV02 Towards a Pan E. coli Vaccine.
2023: Horizon Europe - Eurostars. 250,000 EUR in support of the three-year development project titled “UTOPIA - UTI Targeting O-linked glycosylated antigen Potency and Integrity Assays”. The project is performed in a consortium of SMEs Spectralys (Brussels, BE) and Litevax (Oss, NL) and Odense University Hospital, Duration: April 2024 - March 2027.
2023: Innovation Fund Denmark, InnoBooster program. 95,000 EUR in support of the 7 months project “In vivo afprøvning i patientrelevant dyremodel – Proof of Business for E. coli vaccine kandidat” with Odense University Hospital/University of Southern Denmark as knowledge providers.
2022: Innovation Fund Denmark, InnoBooster program. 63,000 EUR in support of the five months development project titled ”Udvikling af bredspektret bakteriel vaccinekandidat – In vivo PoC valideret dyremodel” with Odense University Hospital/University of Southern Denmark as knowledge providers.
2021: Horizon Europe - Eurostars – 300,000 EUR in support of the three-year development project titled “SVEET - Sugar-modified Vaccine Epitopes; Exploration and Translation”. The project is performed in a consortium of SME Epitopic (Leipzig, DE), Fraunhofer IZI (Leipzig DE) and University of Southern Denmark, Duration: April 2021 - April 2024.
2020: Innovation Fund Denmark, InnoBooster program. 53,000 EUR for the nine months development project titled “Udvikling af bredspektret bakteriel vaccinekandidat – det vigtige valg af dyremodel”, with Odense University Hospital/University of Southern Denmark as knowledge providers.
2018: Innovation Fund Denmark, InnoBooster program. 161,000 EUR for the two-year development project titled “GlyProVac - Bacterial glycoprotein antigens for vaccine development in collaboration with two departments (Mass spectrometry and Microbiology) at university of Southern Denmark.
Team
Anders Boysen, ph.d.
CEO, Co-founder and Co-inventor
CEO, Co-founder and Co-inventor
Ann Zahle Andersen, ph.d.
COO and Co-founder
COO and Co-founder
Mette Thorsing, ph.d.
Senior Scientist
Senior Scientist
Julie Ingerslev Bæk-Andersen
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technician
Daniel Nyberg Larsen, ph.d.
Scientist
Scientist
Thøger Krogh, ph.d.
Bioinformatics & IT Specialist
Bioinformatics & IT Specialist
Christiane Juhls
Clinical Vaccine Development Lead
Clinical Vaccine Development Lead
Kamille Termansen
Student Assistant
Student Assistant
Mette Bjørnholt Riis
In Company Master Student
In Company Master Student
Sustainability
Core values
Based in Denmark, Scandinavia, the core Danish work culture values are an integral part of everything we do—be it environmental, using energy from sustainable sources when possible and revising our protocols to utilize less harmful chemicals; social, with our commitment to rights to organize, parental leave, and a minimum of five weeks’ paid vacation; or governance, with strict financial reporting standards, GDPR compliance, and integrated Quality Management Systems.
Environmental
In alignment with Danish environmental standards and our commitment to sustainability, we strive to minimize our ecological footprint. Our in-house research and development is conducted in laboratories certified at the highest level of Green Lab Certification, recognizing our engagement in sustainable practices. We annually review our protocols to identify and implement less harmful chemicals that meet our rigorous quality standards. Whenever possible, we utilize energy from sustainable sources, supporting Denmark’s dedication to CO₂ reduction.
Social
In alignment with Danish social values and legislation, we ensure safe and healthy working conditions with a focus on employee involvement and continuous risk assessments. Fair treatment is guaranteed through regulated working hours, fair wages, and the right for employees to organize and bargain collectively. We prohibit discrimination based on gender, race, religion, age, and more, promoting diversity and inclusion as both a legal requirement and a cultural norm. Parental leave policies and a minimum of five weeks’ paid vacation support our employees’ work-life balance and overall well-being, underpinned by a high level of trust in our team.
Governance
In alignment with Danish values of transparency and good governance, we adhere to strict financial reporting standards by publishing detailed annual reports to maintain stakeholder trust. We follow the Corporate Governance Code’s recommendations to ensure responsible management practices, with established systems for quality control, risk management, and continuous improvement. Committed to data protection, we comply with GDPR regulations, safeguarding personal data and reinforcing trust with our partners.
Intellectual Property
> Glycosylated YghJ polypeptides from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), filing date 06-10-2016, publication number 3359559 (Europe) and 10,647,749 (USA). Granted in Belgium, Germany, Denmark, France, UK, Italy and USA. Independent claims granted in relation to Composition of matter and Medical use claims.
> Glycosylated YghJ polypeptides from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), filing date 06-10-2016, publication number 11/655,274, Granted in USA. Independent claims granted in relation to BEMAP Method
> Glycosylated YGHJ full length vaccine, unpublished PCT application
Intellectual property owned or licensed by GlyProVac is managed by Plougmann Vingtoft.
Board
Tommi Kainu, M.D. & Ph.D.
Chairman of the board
Chairman of the board
Co-founder of Unikum Tx. Former EVP and CBO of Bavarian Nordic A/S. Former partner at Boston Consulting Group.
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Kirsten Winther
Board member
Board member
Investment manager at Science Ventures Denmark. Experienced within BD, M&A, Sales Management and raising capital.
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Allan Rosetzsky
Board member
Board member
Founder of the CRO KLIFO. Adaptvac Board Member. Main investor in ExpreS2ion. Former Medical director at Rhône-Poulenc (now Sanofi-Aventis).
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Wian de Jongh
Board member
Board member
CEO and founder of Adaptvac. Co-founder of ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies, NASDAQ First North Listed.
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Scientific Advisory Board
PhD Lou Bourgeois – Vaccine development and policies in LMIC settings
Senior Associate at the Center for Immunization Research, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (USA). Previously Science Officer for Enteric and Diarrheal Diseases in PATH’s, Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access. Expertise in bacterial vaccine development for LIMC settings. Interest and experience in global and local policies governing development and use of vaccines targeting infectious diseases.
MD and PhD Kurt Hanevik – Clinical Immunology & Clinical Studies
Professor at Department of Clinical Science, Bergen University (NO), specialist in infectious diseases with experience in international humanitarian aid. Research focus on infectious diseases immunology and vaccines in a global health perspective.
PhD Marc Andersen - Biostatistics and Clinical Research
Founder and owner of Quercus Data and Statistics (DK). Previously statistician at Statens Serum Institut, Genmab and Lundbeck. Independent consultant since 2007 providing support for pharmaceutical and biotech companies.