Durable, adjuvant-free immunity against HCMV for transplant medicine and beyond
We develop Dense Body–based vaccines that present a broad repertoire of native HCMV antigens, driving potent neutralizing antibodies and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T-cell responses — the immunity profile patients need after transplantation.
In HSCT, CMV reactivation remains a major complication despite prophylaxis, driving morbidity, mortality, and costly readmissions.
Without prophylaxis: 50–70% reactivation
During prophylaxis: 10–30%
After stop: 12–45% relapse
Solid organ transplantation
CMV infection/reactivation occurs in 16–56% of SOT recipients and is linked to graft dysfunction and loss.
Congenital CMV
The leading infectious cause of lifelong disability; ~30–40% of infected newborns are symptomatic, burdening families and health systems.
Our solution: Dense Body vaccine
Adjuvant-free
Mechanism
Broad native antigens, balanced immunity
Dense Bodies are non-infectious HCMV particles lacking viral DNA but rich in structural and tegument proteins (e.g., pp65, gB, pentamer). They elicit robust neutralizing antibodies and durable CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T-cell responses.
Intrinsic dendritic-cell activation — no external adjuvant
Multi-antigen presentation in native conformation
Suitable for immunocompromised contexts
Preclinical evidence
Protection and memory
Mice immunized with Dense Bodies were protected from viral challenge in vivo
Rabbit sera show strong neutralization
Durable CD8⁺ T-cell responses and neutralizing titers maintained long-term
Intended clinical use: administration immediately after letermovir discontinuation in HSCT to reduce CMV relapse and downstream costs.
Development status & roadmap
TRL 4–5
CMC
GMP-ready manufacturing
Process aligned with standard industrial methods. Dialog with Intravacc (NL) for toxicology batch, pilot GMP, and Phase 1 supply; early advice with PEI supports the path to clinic.
Regulatory
Early authority feedback
Positive scientific advice with regulators; clear next steps to first-in-human evaluation.
Co-founders who run Dense Immune as a cohesive unit — combining virology, medicine, and venture execution.
Completed a nationwide, inter-university Entrepreneurship Course (Germany) together.
Joint EU/US business development: accelerators, VCs, law firms, regulators, GMP producers, and clinical trial centers — shaping strategy, partnerships, and the regulatory path.
“Learning-by-doing” culture: high responsibility, high engagement; academic rigor married to operator discipline.
