Senior Researcher Claus Olesen and Associate Professor Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen, both from the Department of Biomedicine, have been named Novo Nordisk Foundation Distinguished Innovators. The researchers will create more entrepreneurship at the university and each receives DKK 6 million to develop their own innovation projects.

2020.08.06 | Lise Wendel Eriksen

Claus Olesen (left) and Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen are among the first Novo Nordisk Foundation Distinguished Innovators. Photo: Torben Hjulmand and Lundbeckfonden

This is the first time that the Novo Nordisk Foundation awards the innovation grants, which will over the next three years provide the researchers with the necessary time and opportunity to explore the commercial potential of their research while they continue their research activities at the university. In addition to the financial contribution, Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen and Claus Olesen also receive help from experts to develop their innovation projects.

At the same time, the two grant recipients will act as innovation ambassadors and stimulate further innovation and entrepreneurship at the university – among other things by giving researchers, teaching staff and students guidance about innovation processes.

Commercial potential in Parkinson's treatment and STING immunotherapy

Claus Olesen will utilise his innovation grant to develop a small molecule which could lead to a new drug and enable the advancement of a paradigm-changing disease-modifying treatment of Parkinson’s.

With his innovation scholarship, Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen will investigate different approaches to STING-based immunotherapy, which remains a scientific 'black box', but which also has huge potential for improving cancer treatment.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded the title of Novo Nordisk Foundation Distinguished Innovator to a total of five researchers.

The coverage is based on press material from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Contact

Senior Researcher Claus Olesen
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Mobile: (+45) 6126 0035
Email: ceo@biomed.au.dk

Associate Professor Martin Roelsgaard Jakobsen
Aarhus University, Department of Biomedicine
Mobile: (+45) 2615 3369
Email: mrj@biomed.au.dk