The better way

Having started the previous decade working in preclinical vaccine development, Manfred saw first-hand how initially promising drug trials can collapse at the human-testing stage. He co-founded LifeTaq with the goal of simulating the human body at a much earlier stage in drug development—using high-quality 3D cell cultures and an innovative automated process to increase the reliability of trial data. An expert in cell culture and preclinical development/analysis, Manfred studied in Austria, Australia, and the US. Manfred is most excited by stem-cell research—which he believes holds the key to regenerative medicine—and tissue engineering.

Volker’s journey began in the Regulatory Affairs department of the AGES Federal Office of Medicines and Medical Devices. He then worked in preclinical drug/vaccine development before co-founding LifeTaq with Manfred, as a place where their idea of a better kind of drug trial could become a reality. Volker’s expertise lies in both 2D and 3D cell culture: Volker has worked with fibroblasts, endothelial cells, MSCs, keratinocytes, and tumor cells. Volker is excited by CRISPR, stem-cell research, and neuroscience.