Ralf Wagner is Univ.-Prof. for Medical Microbiology (Virology) at the University of Regensburg. Ralf is passionate about developing vaccines from bench to clinic – initially with a strong focus on HIV, meanwhile comprising a broader spectrum of viruses – some, which are highly pathogenic (Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, CCHF), harbor pandemic potential (Influenza- and Coronaviruses) and are linked to malignancies (HPV) or severe clinical manifestations (CMV). Several of his vaccine candidates made it from the bench to the clinic (phase 2b). He pioneered recombinant virus-like particles for vaccine delivery and established the use of RNA- and codon-optimized „synthetic genes“ as golden standard in vaccine design.

He chaired, co-chaired and served as board member of several national and international vaccine clusters (e.g. EU, Gatesfoundation, NIH, BMBF) and acts as reviewer for various funding organisations (DFG, BMBF, EU, Foundations). Ralf has authored and co-authored more than 250 research articles, book chapters, and patent applications.

Ralf is acting as start-up ambassador for the local University, consulting life-science venture funds and co-founder of several biotech companies. Fascinated by the broad applicability of synthesic genes, he established Regensburg-based Geneart AG, a previously public biotech company. During his leadership as CEO and CSO (2000-2012), Geneart grew to more than 230 employees and 2 subsidiaries in Canada and the US. He was awarded with the Germany’s Founders Award (Top 3), the “Step Award”, and the “European Biotech Award”. After the acquisition by Life Technologies Inc., he successfully managed the integration process and served as Vice President of Synthetic Biology within the US Corporation (2010-2012).