Laurent Jespers

Laurent Jespers has a diverse and extensive work experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Laurent currently serves as the Chief Scientific Officer at Xap Therapeutics since March 2021.

Prior to their current role, Jespers held various positions at GSK from 2009 to 2021. Laurent served as the VP and Head of Discovery Research, Cell & Gene Therapy Platform, and Pharma R&D from July 2015 to March 2021. In this role, they were responsible for overseeing the discovery platform teams and the validation of technologies to support the company's current and future pipeline. Laurent also played a significant role in developing the department's business plans and securing endorsement from GSK R&D investment board.

Before their role in cell and gene therapy, Jespers served as the VP and Head of Biopharm Innovation, Biopharm R&D, and Pharma R&D at GSK from February 2009 to March 2021. In this position, they oversaw the design, discovery, and transition to process development/Phase I of seven assets for application in various therapeutic areas, including oncology, metabolic diseases, and respiratory diseases.

Jespers started their career at Domantis Limited in August 2000 and worked there until January 2009. Laurent joined as an Associate Director and later became the Director of Discovery Engineering, Biopharm CEDD, GSK. In this role, they were responsible for leading a team of scientists and overseeing the design, discovery, and transition to preclinical development of three domain antibody (dAb) assets. Jespers played a key role during Domantis' acquisition by GSK in January 2007.

During their early career, Jespers worked as a Senior Research Scientist at the MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology from January 1999 to July 2000. Laurent'sprojects involved developing phage display repertoires and synthetic human dAb libraries. Prior to that, they worked as a Senior Scientist at VIB-Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology from January 1995 to December 1998. In this role, they managed a research team and led a project that secured a research grant from a government agency.

Jespers' work experience also includes a role as a Senior Scientist at Corvas International Inc from March 1992 to December 1994, where they developed and applied cDNA phage display to discover bioactive peptides. Laurent led a team of research scientists and secured a research grant from a government agency. Laurent started their career as a Research Scientist at the Medical Research Council - Laboratory of Molecular Biology from December 1991 to February 1993, where they conducted post-doctoral research in the laboratory of Sir Gregory Winter.

Overall, Jespers' work experience showcases their expertise in scientific leadership, discovery research, cell and gene therapy, biopharmaceutical innovation, and antibody engineering.

Laurent Jespers earned their Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences from Université catholique de Louvain, completing their studies from 1987 to 1991. Prior to that, they obtained a degree in Chemistry from the same university, attending from 1983 to 1987. There is no available information about their education prior to attending the College Jean XXIII - WSP - Bruxelles, and no details about the degree or field of study from this institution.