We develop, breed, and supply Göttingen Minipigs for biomedical research worldwide. Based on our fundamental belief in quality, cooperation, respect, and animal welfare, we enable the development of safer and more effective medicines.
Events
See all
Webinar
Oct 21, 2026 | 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cardiovascular Disease Models in Göttingen Minipig...
From model to mechanism: Advancing cardiovascular research with Göttingen Minipigs. Two experts will...
Scientific Meeting
Nov 15, 2026 | - Nov 18, 2026 |
ACT 2026
Join our Exhibitor-Hosted Program: Enhancing Translational Success: Meet the Myth Busters behind ...
Scientific Meeting
Mar 14, 2027 | 9:00 am - Mar 17, 2027 | 3:00 pm
SOT ToxExpo 2027
Join us at SOT in San Antonio, Texas and stop by booth 1103 to learn how Göttingen Minipigs can make...
Cardiovascular Disease Models in Göttingen Minipigs
Webinar Professor Thomas Jespersen | University of Copenhagen, Denmark Dr. Thomas Mondritzki | Bayer AG, GermanyWebinar
Oct 21, 2026 | 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cardiovascular Disease Models in Göttingen Minipigs
Webinar Professor Thomas Jespersen | University of Copenhagen, Denmark Dr. Thomas Mondritzki | Bayer AG, GermanyFrom model to mechanism: Advancing cardiovascular research with Göttingen Minipigs. Two experts will bring complementary perspectives from academia and the pharmaceutical industry:
Thomas Jespersen, University of Copenhagen | Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia. However, there is a large gap in treatment of AF, why bona fide models for testing pharmacology and devices, and exploring underlying mechanistic pathways are in need. Pigs, in which AF can be triggered by pacing, presents many of the key features in human AF why these serve as valuable translational models.
In Dr. Jespersen's team there is a long tradition of working with porcine models recapitulating human arrhythmias and heart failure, including a multitude of in vivo and ex vivo methodologies around these models. New data on short and long-term AF models in Göttingen mini-pigs will be presented and compared to models in Landrace pigs. The presentation will include results on AF-burden, atrial vs. ventricular rates, multi-electrode mapping and electrophysiological data, and complemented with magnetic resonance imaging (MRi).
Thomas Mondritzki, Bayer | Heart failure remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, underscoring the continuing need for novel therapeutic strategies and predictive translational models. The Göttingen minipig has emerged as a valuable large animal model due to its close resemblance to human cardiovascular anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. From an industry perspective, this model enables the assessment of clinically relevant endpoints, including advanced imaging, hemodynamic measurements, electrophysiological investigations, and biomarker analyses. These capabilities support translational decision-making throughout the drug discovery and development process. This presentation will discuss the role of Göttingen minipigs in heart failure research, highlight examples of translational cardiovascular phenotyping, and share key learnings from industrial research programs. Opportunities and limitations of large animal models in enhancing translational predictivity and reducing development risk will be discussed, emphasizing their contribution to the development of innovative therapies for patients with heart failure.
ACT 2026
406 San Antonio, Texas, USA Lars Siim Madsen, CSO, Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs and Keith Nelson, Senior Director, Toxicologic Pathology, InotivScientific Meeting
Nov 15, 2026 | - Nov 18, 2026 |
ACT 2026
406 San Antonio, Texas, USA Lars Siim Madsen, CSO, Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs and Keith Nelson, Senior Director, Toxicologic Pathology, InotivJoin our Exhibitor-Hosted Program:
Enhancing Translational Success: Meet the Myth Busters behind the Göttingen Minipig
18 November 2026
12:00-12:55 PM
Grand Oaks Ballroom R
The Göttingen Minipig has emerged as a highly translational non-rodent model for biomedical and pharmaceutical research due to its close anatomical, physiological, immunological, and genomic similarities to humans. The model demonstrates strong translatability to man across cardiovascular, metabolic, dermatological, renal, gastrointestinal, and immunological applications, supporting both safety assessment and mechanistic studies. Owing to its manageable body size, favorable handling characteristics, and suitability for longitudinal sampling and advanced clinical procedures, the minipig is increasingly used in both exploratory and regulatory research settings. Multiple routes of administration (RoAs) are well established, including intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, oral, dermal, ocular, intrathecal, and inhalational delivery, enabling broad applicability for small molecules, biologics, cell therapies, and device evaluation.
Extensive experience has been established among global contract research organizations (CROs), with standardized protocols available for toxicology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, telemetry, imaging, surgical instrumentation, and juvenile studies. In parallel, large background datasets have been generated covering clinical pathology, histopathology, immunophenotyping, cardiovascular parameters, and genomic characterization, supporting interpretation of translational endpoints and regulatory submissions. The species has also gained increasing relevance for biologics development, including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, peptides, gene therapies, and immune-modulating therapeutics, particularly when target cross-reactivity and Fc biology are compatible.
The growing availability of species-specific reagents, validated antibodies, cytokine assays, molecular tools, and omics platforms has substantially strengthened the utility of the minipig in translational pharmacology and immunology. Regulatory acceptance by agencies including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency continues to expand, especially in dermal, cardiovascular, and biologics-related safety assessment. Furthermore, advances in genetic engineering and humanization strategies are enabling development of increasingly sophisticated minipig models with modified immune, metabolic, or target-specific pathways, thereby enhancing their value for precision translational research and next-generation therapeutic development.
A dedicated deep dive into anatomic and clinical pathology will additionally be provided, with focus on translational interpretation, background findings, biomarker integration, and relevance for nonclinical safety assessment.
SOT ToxExpo 2027
1103 San Antonio, Texas, USAScientific Meeting
Mar 14, 2027 | 9:00 am - Mar 17, 2027 | 3:00 pm
SOT ToxExpo 2027
1103 San Antonio, Texas, USAJoin us at SOT in San Antonio, Texas and stop by booth 1103 to learn how Göttingen Minipigs can make a difference in your studies.
Science base
See all In our science base, we have collected links to a wide selection of relevant papers and knowledge-sharing. Below are a few highlights, but you are welcome to browse through the database.
Humanized IgG 1/4 Göttingen Minipigs
Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S
Genetically altered Göttingen Minipigs carrying a mini repertoire of human Ig-γ1/γ4 heavy and the human κ light chain genes are available at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S. The humanized Göttingen Minipigs show tolerance to a broad range of human antibodies, providing a novel model for safety testing and an important and viable alternative for toxicology studies of therapeutic antibodies in non-human primates. ...
A humanized minipig model for the toxicological testing of therapeutic recombinant antibodies
Tatiana Flisikowska, Jerome Egli, Krzysztof Flisikowski et al.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-022-00921-2
A Strain Rate-Dependent Constitutive Model for Göttingen Minipig Cerebral Arteries
Noah Pearson, Gregory M Boiczyk, Vivek Bhaskar Kote, et al.
Doi: 10.1115/1.4053796
The people behind
Head of International Sales
Peter Vestbjerg
Peter has many years of experience with client management and support within the biomedical research industry. He supports you on general and special inquiries on our full portfolio of Göttingen Minipigs and connected materials and services.
Regional Manager
Olivier Dillenseger
Olivier has over 15 years of experience working with scientists in the biomedical research field. He speaks French, German, and English and can support you with all your enquiries for Göttingen Minipigs and related services.
CSO
Lars Siim Madsen
Lars has an educational background in immunology and molecular biology and has over twenty years of experience in R&D and business development from various leading positions in biotech. Lars is ready to guide you in your strategic planning and exploration of strategic partnerships.
Scientific Director
Jens Peter Norup Hertel
Jens Peter is a veterinarian specialised in biomedicine with experience in translational preclinical research from both pharma and CRO settings. He works with scientific strategy and in vivo and PK study design, ensuring clear processes from project kick-off to delivery. Contact him for scientific guidance, feasibility discussions, and collaboration opportunities.
Sales Coordinator
Lotte Schjølin
Lotte is our skilled Sales Coordinator, committed to delivering excellent customer service and respond to your enquiries and quotations. She handles pricing, freight cost calculations, and coordination with other departments to improve our sales operations.
Principal Laboratory Animal Veterinarian
Tobias Bro Bertelsen
Tobias plays a key role in ensuring the health and welfare of our Göttingen Minipigs. His responsibilities include veterinary management, preventive medicine, and developing clinical procedures. He supports both internal teams and customers with veterinary expertise to maintain high standards of animal care and welfare.
Breeding and Veterinary Manager
Linette Prior Theisen
Linette is an experienced practising veterinarian with experience in public administration within animal welfare and animal diseases. She is responsible for animal health, welfare, breeding programs, and veterinary oversight.
Study Director
Kamilla Westarp Zornhagen
Kamilla is a translational scientist with a veterinary background and broad experience across preclinical research models. Her background includes in vivo studies, multidisciplinary collaboration and scientific project management. She serves as the point of contact for planning, coordination and execution of studies at our facility.
Laboratory Animal Surgical Veterinarian
Irene Krøjer Hansen
Irene is a veterinarian and Head of the Surgical Department. She holds a master’s degree in surgery and has more than 20 years of experience, including teaching at university level. Irene oversees surgical procedures, develops new models, and is available to assist with surgical inquiries.
Order Management & Logistics Coordinator
Mette Damgaard Johansen
Mette is one of our dedicated staff members who takes care of our customers and their orders. She can help with information about existing orders, track orders in transit, and is fluent in Danish, English, and French.
Order Management & Logistics Coordinator
Britt Anderberg
Britt is one of our dedicated staff members who takes care of our customers and their orders. She can help with information about existing orders, track orders in transit, and is fluent in Danish and English.
Head of Marketing
Maria Bonnesen
Maria is an experienced marketing specialist and handles all marketing and communication affairs. She can answer questions related to our online channels, publications, conference attendance, and sponsorships.
CFO
Brian Christiansen
Brian has extensive financial experience from international organisations and can answer questions concerning financials matters.
Executive Assistant, HR & Legal Support
Søs Pihl-Poulsen
Søs has many years of experience of supporting the top executive level, works with HR incl. recruitment, and provides internal legal support. She answers questions regarding MTAs and CDAs.
For unsolicited job applications, please email hr@minipigs.dk.
CEO
Martin Windfeld Velin
Martin is overall responsible for all activities at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs, and has extensive managerial and international experience, especially within the operational field.
Göttingen Minipigs Magazine
Sign up to receive scientific news, event invitaitons etc.
Follow us
We regularly update our LinkedIn page. Follow us for the latest scientific articles, events and webinars, and much more.
Contact us
Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S
Soroe Landevej 302
DK-4261 Dalmose
Denmark
Phone: +45 5818 5818
E-Mail: ellegaard@minipigs.dk
CVR No (VAT): 17055682
