Immunology Innovation Program Case Study: A New Approach to Science
Our Immunology Innovation Program (IIP) Expands the Possibilities of Science
Co-creation 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. Together, we strive to accelerate innovation from therapeutic discovery to pioneering treatments that push the boundaries of what’s possible in immunology.
Our Immunology Innovation Program (IIP) Expands the Possibilities of Science
Featured Voices
Karen Silence, Ph.D.
VP, Head of Preclinical Product Development
argenx Discovery Team
Karen Silence, Ph.D., 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 the IIP (empasiprubart/adimanebart/ARGX-109/213/121/124).
Inge Van de Walle, Ph.D.
Research Fellow
argenx
Inge Van de Walle, Ph.D., 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.
Erick Hack, MD, PhD
Retired Professor in Immunology
empasiprubart Collaborator
Erik Hack, M.D., Ph.D., 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, Ph.D., 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, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer at MGH/Harvard 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 and collaboration the argenx way today.
For more information on partnering opportunities, please contact IIP@argenx.com.
Explore More in This Section
At argenx, every piece of the innovation story connects. See where it leads next.
ARGX-118
Designed around the first novel airway inflammation target identified in decades.
Adimanebart
Discovered through our SIMPLE Antibody™ platform and advanced within the IIP, adimanebart is the result of true co-creation.
Efgartigimod
The science and data behind our first-in-class FcRn-targeting antibody for long-overlooked diseases.
