Since our founding in 2003, we have pursued our vision of using the immune system to find and fight proteins central to the development and progression of chronic human diseases. Our ultimate aim is to improve the lives of patients suffering from chronic diseases, by focusing on the root cause rather than symptom management: an ethos inspired by the impact that vaccines have on health and society worldwide.
Meet our exceptional team, who have a proven track record of making ground-breaking scientific discoveries and developing novel therapies.
Together we can achieve more.
Management
With his broad expertise as biotech entrepreneur, Claus serves as CEO of Affiris AG i.L as well as Affiris CVD GmbH.
Claus is a serial entrepreneur in the Life Sciences with 20 years’ experience in the Industry. In 2001, he cofounded Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PIRS) and executed the listing of the Company at NASDAQ as CFO, playing a key role in transforming Pieris from a biotech Start-up to a mature biopharmaceutical company.
Claus also cofounded XL-protein GmbH and led the Company to profitability through a series of collaborations with Pharma and Biotech. Claus also supports other biotech companies in part-time management positions. He holds a Master degree in Business Administration from the University of Bamberg, Germany.
Claus is a serial entrepreneur in the Life Sciences with 20 years’ experience in the Industry. In 2001, he cofounded Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PIRS) and executed the listing of the Company at NASDAQ as CFO, playing a key role in transforming Pieris from a biotech Start-up to a mature biopharmaceutical company.
Claus also cofounded XL-protein GmbH and led the Company to profitability through a series of collaborations with Pharma and Biotech. Claus also supports other biotech companies in part-time management positions. He holds a Master degree in Business Administration from the University of Bamberg, Germany.
Petra Lührs has more than 20 years expertise in academic and industrial research and development as project leader and manager. She has been with AFFiRiS since 2005 and has had multiple senior management roles across all areas of R&D, from early preclinical development to the clinical areas of immunotherapeutic drug development. In her current role, she is responsible for the overall management of operational activities including alliance management and technology transfer. Petra holds a PhD in chemistry from University of Vienna.
Martina Hopitzan is Head of Finance & Administration and is mainly responsible for Accounting and Controlling. She has been a member of AFFiRiS since 2009 and previously gained multiple years of experience in the biotech/high-tech sector at companies such as Intercell. She holds a degree in Controlling and is a Certified Accountant.
Supervisory Board
Michael Motschmann has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years. In 2004, Michael co-founded MIG Verwaltungs AG (MIG AG), and as well as being a member of the board of management, he is Head of the Participations Division. MIG AG is a management company for various VC funds, which are financed by private investors who invest in companies in Austria and Germany (mainly in the life science and high tech fields). Michael is also a member of the Supervisory Board of BioNTech Gmbh, Mainz, Germany.
