About us

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.
 

New CEO at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S

Oct 19, 2022

We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Windfeld Velin as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S. Martin W. Velin recently served as COO at Ellegard Göttingen Minipigs.

Martin W. Velin will leverage his experience to guide Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs through its next ambitious phase of growth and at the same time maintain a strong focus on not only securing the global supply of Göttingen Minipigs, but also expanding our research services including in-house Göttingen Minipigs preclinical studies, access to biological material, and the development and commercialization of genetically altered Göttingen Minipigs – all with a strong focus on employee and customer satisfaction.

Jens Ellegaard, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S: “I am very delighted that Martin will be our new CEO. He has impressed the Board with his professional attitude as well as his personality but also the impact he has made since his arrival in September 2021 has been notable. The Board believes he is a great fit with the right combination of skills and international experience to lead Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs through its next strategic phase”. 
 

A humanized minipig model for the toxicological testing of therapeutic recombinant antibodies

Sep 27, 2022

We are very excited to introduce the humanized IgG Göttingen Minipigs, a genetically altered Göttingen Minipigs strain carrying a mini repertoire of human genes for the immunoglobulin heavy chains γ1 and γ4 and the immunoglobulin light chain κ. The humanized Göttingen Minipigs are now available at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S.

Humanized IgG Göttingen Minipigs show tolerance to a broad range of human or humanized antibodies and provide a novel model for toxicological testing of therapeutic antibodies. 

Testing of human therapeutic antibodies can be challenging in vivo due to xeno responses, resulting in rapid clearance or toxicity. Humanized IgG Göttingen Minipigs are a new large animal model with the ability to predict adverse outcomes of therapeutic antibodies (true anti-drug antibody reactions). “The humanized IgG Göttingen Minipigs can enhance preclinical safety predictions for this important class of drugs,” says Kirsten Rosenmay Jacobsen, CSO at Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S.  

Please contact Peter Vestbjerg, Head of International Sales, pve@minipigs.dk, if you are interested to learn more about the genetically altered minipig model.

Read the full paper here: A humanized minipig model for the toxicological testing of therapeutic recombinant antibodies

The 14th MRF meeting was held in Dalmose, Denmark

Jun 14, 2022

This year, the MRF 2022 was held at the breeding and research facilities in Dalmose, Denmark. 

22 inspiring speakers presented recent scientific results and shared knowledge and experiences on the topics:

• Nutrition and Metabolism
• Juvenile and Reproductive Toxicology
• Pharmacological Models
• Immune System
• Pain Models and Management

The participants could choose from one of these breakout sessions:

• Dosing and Sampling 
• Training and Monitoring Welfare 

The conference was kicked off by a welcome lecture entitled 'Developing clinically relevant models of self-poisoning in Göttingen Minipigs at the Edinburgh Large Animal Facility'. 

We would like to thank our generous sponsors for supporting this year’s MRF meeting and we look forward to hosting the 15th Minipig Research Forum in Lisbon, Portugal, from 10 to 12 May 2023.