LEIDEN, May 7, 2025 — AVIGI Therapeutics is proud to announce the formation of its Scientific Advisory team, bringing together internationally recognized leaders in glycobiology and drug development. This distinguished team will play a pivotal role in guiding AVIGI's translational science and therapeutic strategy.
A Strategic Advisory team for a Scientific Mission
The newly formed team comprises world-class scientists with deep expertise in glycosidases, carbohydrate-active enzymes, and structure-based drug design. Their insights will strengthen AVIGI’s drug development programs and help accelerate the translation of its lead candidates VL166 toward clinical applications.
"From day one, we knew the science behind AVIGI had the potential to be transformational," said Dr. Vincent Lit, CEO of AVIGI. "Having these advisors on board validates our approach and positions us to move forward with scientific rigor and real-world impact."
Scientific Advisory Team
Prof. Hermen Overkleeft – Scientific Advisor
A global expert in glycosidase chemical biology, Prof. Overkleeft’s pioneering work has led to the founding of Azafaros, a clinical-stage biotech company. His ability to translate fundamental research into therapeutic candidates will be instrumental in shaping AVIGI’s drug discovery strategy.
Prof. Gideon Davies – Scientific Advisor
Prof. Davies is widely respected for his work on carbohydrate-active enzymes and mechanistic enzymology. His structural and functional studies of glycosyltransferases and hydrolases have broad implications in human health and disease, offering a critical foundation for AVIGI’s enzyme-targeting platform.
Dr. Liang Wu – Scientific Advisor
Dr. Wu has played a key role in elucidating the structure and function of human heparanase, AVIGI’s lead target. His structural insights have directly informed the design of AVIGI’s lead compound, enabling a transition from hypothesis-driven exploration to precision engineering.
Moving Forward
With this expert advisory board in place, AVIGI is continuing the development of its therapeutic program. Key milestones ahead include:
- Refinement of lead compounds using advanced mechanistic insights
- Design of robust studies to demonstrate our programs in various diseases
- Expansion of its scientific platform to support long-term innovation
“Bridging the gap between academic discovery and therapeutic impact is where many programs falter,” noted Dr. Ruijgrok, AVIGI’s Head of Technology. “This team brings not only the experience to cross that gap, but a proven track record of doing so.”
About AVIGI Therapeutics
AVIGI is a spinout from Leiden University dedicated to transforming the treatment landscape for advanced solid tumors. Founded by scientists and developers who are rethinking conventional drug design, AVIGI combines deep scientific insight and advanced chemistry to create innovative treatment technologies.