Dr. Rico Laage has over 15 years experience in Clinical Development and Life Science R&D. This includes various fields like Growth factors, Stem Cell Therapies, Biosimilars and Antibodies in therapeutic indications like Acute Stroke, Rehabilitation, ALS, Spinal Cord Injury, Cardiac Repair, Viral Infections and Osteoporosis.

In 2001 Rico Laage joined BASF/Lynx as a research scientist in the CNS group developing tools to study Protein–Protein interactions.

At Axaron Bioscience, he moved to clinical development to set up the first trial for the company and successfully applied for two orphan drug designations (ALS and Spinal Cord Injury).

As Director Translational Development at SYGNIS he was leading the complete clinical and preclinical development projects for Acute Stroke and Neurodegenerative diseases.

Rico Laage studied Biology and Physiology in Hohenheim and earned his PhD in Cell Biology from the University of Heidelberg. He is author of over 30 scientific publications and inventor of several patents in the field of life science and clinical research.

Member of DGPharMed and  DIA

ABOUT ME

I am working in biotech industry since 2001 – After my academic years in basic neuroscience research, my professional career followed the development path of a drug – starting in early R&D bringing me to late stage clinical trials. In 2013, I founded GUIDED Development GmbH in Heidelberg.

In 2003, my problem solving skills and my knowledge about proteins, brought me in the lead of the project to push our most promising drug candidate to clinical development. We had to set up everything from scratch – CROs, CMOs, analytical methods, clinical consultants, regulatory affairs, safety and quality management and many other things, which were completely unknown at that time in our unorthodox and academic biotech company.

I coordinated the project from preclinical toxicology and pharmacology over Phase I and II clinical trials ending up in large multinational pivotal Phase II/III trial in over 70 hospitals all over Europe. 

Today I share my experience, my large network of experts, and also the mistakes made in the past years to help others. I understand both, the language of research and the needs of biotech ventures and academic structures, but I also know what regulators, authorities and in-licensing professionals of big Pharma companies expect. I know many of the pitfalls along the road as I already ran into them by myself.

I regard myself as the guide, leading others through difficult terrain. In this role I can simply advise on the best route and the adequate equipment, I can also draw a map or accompany them on their adventure. For some of my clients I can also be a Sherpa carrying parts of their load.