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Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs Joins EU-Funded NHPig Project to Advance Non-Clinical Safety Testing

Dec 05, 2024

Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S is proud to announce its participation in the newly launched EU-funded project, NHPig. This initiative aims to expand the biological knowledge on mini- and micropig models and their use in non-clinical toxicology and safety testing. The consortium will validate and strengthen the translation to humans and non-human primates (NHPs) to reduce the use of NHPs in preclinical drug development.

With collaboration between 27 leading organizations from large pharma, CROs, and academia across Europe, NHPig is set to advance the use of mini- and micropigs in preclinical development with a strong focus on adhering to the 3R principles (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). The initiative will, therefore, also focus on innovative methods such as AI-driven biomarker discovery, multi-omics data integration, and the development of biobanks for genetic and wild-type pig models.

As part of the consortium, Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs will leverage its scientific expertise in Göttingen Minipigs, IgG1/4 Humanized Göttingen Minipigs, and Göttingen Micropigs. These large animal models are central to achieving the project’s goals, including promoting ethical scientific practices in biomedical research.

This collaboration underscores Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs’ commitment to driving progress in biomedical research while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare and scientific results.

For more details, read the full press release.

Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S Welcomes New Scientific Director and Chief Scientific Officer

Sep 20, 2024

We are pleased to announce the appointments of Charlotte Hoeg Thygesen as our new Scientific Director and Lars Siim Madsen as our new Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S. These strategic hires mark a significant step in strengthening our scientific focus and enhancing our research offerings.
 
Charlotte Hoeg Thygesen joins us from her previous role as the Head of the Histology Department at Scantox A/S. In her previous position, she was deeply involved in scientific customer dialogue and audits. Before her time at Scantox, Charlotte spent seven years at Taconic Biosciences A/S, where she served as the veterinarian. Her responsibilities included customer communication, training, and quality assurance. She also managed SOPs, genetically modified mouse models, QA, and AAALAC accreditation. Charlotte holds a master's degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Copenhagen and will safeguard our high health status and level of animal welfare as well as develop, prepare, and align our Research Service capabilities to market demand.
 
Lars Siim Madsen brings a wealth of experience from both the biotech industry and CROs. Lars's career includes a notable tenure at NeuroSearch from 2000 to 2013, where he held various leadership roles in development, research, and project management. He then served as COO at BioAdvice for three years before joining AFYX Therapeutics in 2016. At AFYX, Lars held several leadership positions, most recently as Chief Development Officer. As CSO at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs, Lars will focus on business development, external collaborations, and potential partnerships, helping to shape the strategic direction of our scientific advancement.
 
Martin W. Velin, CEO of Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S, states: “I am delighted to welcome Charlotte and Lars to our team. Their extensive expertise and diverse experiences will significantly enhance our scientific focus and drive our strategic initiatives forward. I look forward to working closely with Charlotte and Lars as we continue our commitment to contribute to the development of safer and more effective medicines.”

In photo (left to right): Lars Siim Madsen, CSO; Martin Windfeld Velin, CEO; Charlotte Hoeg Thygesen, Scientific Director.

New Regional Manager: Olivier Dillenseger

Jun 06, 2024

We are pleased to announce that Olivier Dillenseger has joined Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S as our new Regional Manager, effective May 21st 2024.

Olivier, a native of France, is multilingual and speaks French, English, and German. He resides in Alsace, France, and brings with him an impressive background from Janvier Labs, where he has spent the last 15 years specializing in the scientific use of laboratory animals, particularly rodents, both standard and transgenic.

Olivier had his first days with Ellegard Göttingen Minipigs during the recently conducted Minipig Research Forum meeting in Amsterdam and has, therefore, already been introduced to a part of the community of users of Göttingen Minipigs. Peter Vestbjerg, Head of International Sales, says: “I am delighted to welcome Olivier and introduce him to our existing and future clients and users, and already see that he is a great match to the Ellegaard team, who has given him a warm welcome and a proper introduction to our company and values. Olivier will support our existing and new clients and users within Göttingen Minipigs, our genetically modified models, and our Research Services, initially focusing on France, Switzerland, and the Southern part of Germany.”

In photo: Olivier Dillenseger, Regional Manager (left), Peter Vestbjerg, Head of International Sales (right)

30 years in biomedical research

May 09, 2023

As Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S celebrates its 30-year anniversary, it is time to reflect on the incredible journey that has brought it to where it is today: From a local agricultural enterprise with production of conventional pigs, to global supplier of microbiologically defined minipigs for biomedical research. The family-owned company, now in its second generation, started as a small business, but through dedication, willingness to take risks, and commitment to excellence, it has grown into an important player in the industry.

Over the past three decades, Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S has grown steadily and always focused on how to refine the business strategy further to become not only a supplier to the pharmaceutical industry, but a partner collaborating with scientists in their research. This has been obtained by virtue of high health and quality standards, combined with high levels of knowledge, service, and trustworthiness. Jens Ellegaard, Chairman of the Board at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S, says: “Looking back, Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs has come a long way through expanding operations and establishing a global presence. Lars Ellegaard founded the company based on a strong belief in the potential of Göttingen Minipigs, but none of this would have been possible without the dedicated employees who have helped build the company over the years.”

About the future, Martin Windfeld Velin, CEO at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S, says: “Today we celebrate the past 30 years – but this is also the time to look to the future. I do so with optimism and excitement. We live in interesting times where new technology is being developed constantly, and we are already part of that journey with our new genetically modified minipigs and support of scientific research out of our research facility.”

As Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S celebrates its 30-year anniversary, it is time to look back with pride and look forward with excitement. With commitment to their core values, Animal Welfare, Quality, Respect and Collaboration, and dedication to the purpose of enabling development of safer and more effective medicines, the company is ready to take on the next 30 years.

Visit from the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries

Mar 29, 2023

28 March we received the Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries along with the Mayor of Slagelse Municipality and Director of Business, Retail and Technique in Slagelse at the Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs breeding facility.

Jens Ellegaad, Chairman of the Board at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S, gave a tour of the facility incl. a visit to the loft above the barriers. The guests were presented with examples of Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs’ scientific contributions and engagements, and got to see the minipigs in their pens and the playroom. Adding to the presentation of scientific research and Göttingen Minipigs as a large animal model, animal welfare was an essential part of the tour. This included everyday initiatives, such as playroom, socialization, and exercise outside the pen, but also focus on the Animal Welfare Committee at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs, consisting of both employees and external members. The Committee’s aim is to constantly develop and improve conditions for the minipigs further.

Martin Windfeld Velin, CEO at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S, explained about the sustainable operational set-up along with plans for additional installations in the future. Sustainable and energy-saving solutions have always been a priority when expanding the facility over the years, and today include a geothermal heat solution and a straw-fired boiler. 

When leaving the barrier the guests also got to see one of the cars used for transporting Göttingen Minipigs, and got an introduction to how animal welfare is not only a priority when the minipigs are in the barriers, but also during transport. Göttingen Minipigs are social creatures, so to make sure they feel safe and comfortable during transportation, they are only kept in transport boxes with pen-mates, and they always have water and plenty of bedding material at their disposal.