Vaximm Taps Data Science Veteran as CSO to Accelerate Oral Cancer Vaccine Platform

BELLEVUE, Wash. – January 16, 2026 – Vaximm AG, a pioneer in oral T-cell immunotherapies, has appointed long-time scientific contributor Sébastien Wieckowski, PhD, as its new Chief Scientific Officer. The move signals a strategic pivot toward integrating advanced data science into its research and development engine as the company's lead cancer vaccine candidate, VXM01, advances into later-stage clinical trials.

The appointment brings a leader with over a decade of intimate familiarity with Vaximm’s core technology into the C-suite at a critical juncture. Vaximm, a subsidiary of OSR Holdings, Inc., is banking on Dr. Wieckowski's unique blend of immunology and data analytics expertise to enhance its proprietary immunotherapy platform and accelerate its pipeline.

A Strategic Appointment for a Pivotal Moment

The timing of the leadership change is significant. Vaximm is advancing its lead candidate, VXM01, an oral vaccine targeting the VEGFR-2 protein crucial for tumor blood supply, into more advanced stages of clinical testing. The therapy is currently in late-stage clinical development for glioblastoma, a notoriously aggressive brain cancer, and has shown promising safety and clinical activity across multiple cancer types in earlier trials.

This clinical progression is underscored by significant commercial interest. Vaximm's parent company, OSR Holdings, recently disclosed a non-binding term sheet with BCM Europe AG for a potential global licensing agreement for VXM01. The deal, if finalized, could involve a $20 million upfront payment and up to $815 million in development and commercial milestones, highlighting the high stakes and perceived value of the platform.

Dr. Andreas Niethammer, CEO of Vaximm, emphasized Dr. Wieckowski's deep-rooted expertise and history with the company. "Having worked closely with him since 2016, I have witnessed firsthand his deep scientific and technical mastery of our oral vector technology," said Dr. Niethammer. "His contributions to the overall program have been substantial, characterized by a rare combination of strategic vision and pragmatic execution. As we advance into later-stage clinical trials and begin integrating new assets, Sébastien's expertise will be vital in ensuring our scientific framework continues to be robust and innovative."

The Data-Driven Immunologist

Dr. Wieckowski is not a typical biotech executive. With over 15 years in immunology and cancer vaccine research, his career has been defined by a fusion of laboratory science with bioinformatics and data analytics. Before this appointment, his extensive experience included key scientific roles at Roche and contributions to IND-enabling programs for major global health authorities, including the FDA and EMA.

His academic foundation, including a PhD in Immunology and a strong publication record with an h-index of 19, provides the scientific credibility, while his professional background demonstrates an ability to translate complex research into tangible development programs. This dual expertise is precisely what Vaximm aims to leverage.

The integration of data science in drug discovery is a rapidly growing industry trend, moving beyond simple data management to using artificial intelligence and machine learning for predictive modeling, biomarker discovery, and optimizing clinical trial design. Dr. Wieckowski is tasked with embedding these principles deep within Vaximm’s R&D culture.

"Our mission is to bridge deep understanding of immunology, particularly cell-based immunity, with advanced data science to develop therapies with unprecedented precision, scalability, and scope," Dr. Wieckowski stated. He articulated a vision for creating "cost-effective, patient-centric therapies with transformative impact" by building integrated, data-driven analytical frameworks into the company's platform.

Enhancing the Oral Immunotherapy Platform

Vaximm’s core technology represents a novel approach in the competitive immunotherapy landscape. The company’s VXM platform uses a live, attenuated, and safe bacterial vector taken orally to deliver specific genetic information to the body. This process stimulates a targeted T-cell immune response against disease-associated antigens, such as VEGFR-2 in cancer.

The oral delivery method offers significant potential advantages over traditional intravenous infusions, including improved patient convenience, broader accessibility, and potentially a better safety profile. However, developing effective oral biologics comes with inherent challenges, such as ensuring the therapy survives the digestive tract and elicits a potent, targeted immune response in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Dr. Wieckowski’s new role will focus on leading strategic enhancements to the VXM platform to overcome these hurdles and expand its capabilities.

A Key Move in OSR Holdings' Broader Strategy

The appointment also reflects the broader corporate strategy of Vaximm’s parent company, OSR Holdings. As a global healthcare holding company, OSR focuses on acquiring and advancing promising biomedical innovations toward high-value strategic partnerships or commercialization.

Dr. Constance Höfer, Chief Scientific Officer of OSR Holdings, framed the move as a crucial step in maturing the Vaximm asset. "Sébastien Wieckowski has been a cornerstone of Vaximm's R&D strategy, playing a crucial role in the development of our lead candidate VXM01 in oncology," she said. "His appointment ensures a rigorous, data-driven evolution of Vaximm's core platform, enabling expansion to target a broad spectrum of oncology and non-oncology indications, while strengthening both the scientific foundation and the commercial potential."

This strategy is consistent with OSR's recent activities, which include the acquisition of medical device companies and advancing its diverse portfolio of regenerative biologics and immuno-oncology assets. By installing a leader capable of enhancing the scientific and commercial value of the VXM platform, OSR is positioning Vaximm as a more attractive asset for the kind of major licensing deal it is already pursuing.

Under its new scientific leadership, Vaximm is set to not only push its lead candidate through the final stages of clinical development but also to systematically evolve its underlying technology. This fusion of deep immunological expertise with powerful data analytics represents the next chapter in the company's pursuit of transformative therapies for cancer and beyond.