At argenx, collaboration is at the core of what we do. Through the IIP, we unite our advanced antibody engineering with the expertise of leading academic disease biologists. This co-creation model fosters true partnership where argenx researchers and external collaborators work side-by-side from early discovery through translational development. Together, we strive to accelerate therapeutic discovery and advance pioneering treatments that push the boundaries of what’s possible in immunology.
Our Immunology Innovation Program (IIP) brings together global collaborators to push the boundaries of science, strengthen pipelines, and shape the future of biopharma innovation.
Featured Voices
Karen Silence, PhD
VP, Head of Preclinical Product Development
argenx Discovery Team
Karen Silence, PhD leads argenx’ preclinical development efforts, overseeing antibody programs from lead optimization through Investigational New Drug (IND) filing. She joined argenx in 2008 and has since been instrumental in advancing several key therapeutic candidates through IIP (empasiprubart/adimanebart/ARGX-109/213/121/124).
Inge Van de Walle, PhD
Research Fellow
argenx
Inge Van de Walle, PhD joined argenx in 2016 and is the scientific lead on the empasiprubart program (previously ARGX-117). With an extensive academic foundation in immunology, she brings deep expertise in immune system regulation and translational science to the team.
Erik Hack, MD, PhD
Retired Professor in Immunology
empasiprubart Collaborator
Erik Hack, MD, PhD, retired in 2018 as a Professor of Immunology at Utrecht University after a prolific career spanning more than three decades in immunology research and translational antibody development. He is credited with the discovery of the monoclonal antibody empasiprubart (previously ARGX-117) which was advanced into clinical development by argenx following a collaboration to demonstrate its preclinical proof-of-concept.
Roeland Vanhauwaert, PhD
Scientific Asset Lead of the adimanebart Program
argenx
Roeland Vanhauwaert, PhD is a Principal Scientist II at argenx with a background in neurodegeneration and neuromuscular biology. As Scientific Asset Lead for the adimanebart program (previously ARGX‑119) since 2019, he has overseen the development of the MuSK agonist antibody.
Steve Burden, PhD
Senior Lecturer, Neurology Department
Massachusetts General Hospital
adimanebart Collaborator
Steve Burden, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer at Harvard University and a pioneer in the biology of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). His research was key to identifying MuSK and understanding how it functions. His work in MuSK biology, together with his collaboration with argenx, ultimately led to the development of adimanebart (previously ARGX-119), an investigational antibody targeting Muscle Specific Kinase (MuSK).
Partner With Us
argenx fosters genuine partnerships with academic institutions and experts, focusing on co-creation to accelerate discovery processes to bring solutions to patients who need them. Learn more about the IIP program and collaboration the argenx way today.
For more information on partnering opportunities, please contact IIP@argenx.com.
