Dedicated to infectious disease solutions transparency global health collaboration innovation success our clients

Dedicated to infectious disease solutions

We are a not-for-profit full-service research organization for early phase clinical trials dedicated to infectious diseases products.

Accelerating infectious disease solutions through innovative research methodologies, and strategic collaborations

About company

Who are we and what is our specialty?

We strongly believe that early phase clinical trials can be designed to provide critical proof-of-concept data faster and more cost-efficient. Without compromising on quality, the INFECTA team takes pride in designing fit-for-purpose early phase clinical trials which aim to maximally derisk downstream clinical development.

We provide a wide range of services for the development of vaccines, therapeutics, antivirals and biologics. We use and develop various clinical research methodologies and are global leading experts on the controlled human infection models (CHIMs).

Emerging from the longstanding collaboration between five Dutch University Medical Centers and the Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR), we have a strong legacy in early phase clinical research programs and a strong scientific orientation, including experience with CHIMs.

We are a global player in clinical infectious diseases research, dedicated to becoming your trusted partner

Explore CHIMs

What are Controlled Human Infection Models and why do we need them?

Controlled human infection models (CHIMs) are powerful tools that can be used to study disease characteristics and immunology, but are increasingly used for evaluation of novel therapeutics. This allows a swift and cost-efficient assessment of drug safety and efficacy early in clinical development. These carefully managed medical research studies in which volunteers are deliberately exposed to a pathogen in a controlled manner, are used with the purpose of assessing clinical, microbiological and immunological endpoints. We already have an extensive repository of CHIMs, and are continuing to develop more. All CHIMs are developed in collaboration with our academic partners

Dengue

To support vaccine and drug development, INFECTA engages in ongoing and new dengue research collaborations and developed dengue CHIMS. Various dengue strains are used in controlled human infection studies, targeting either clinical or virological endpoints. Given the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement, dengue CHIMs require strict review and long-term follow-up, which INFECTA can expertly handle

Chikungunya

INFECTA is currently undertaking efforts to establish a CHIM for chikungunya virus. Because of long-lasting joint pains in individuals experiencing wild-type infections, INFECTA had to take a cautious approach. Therefore, results on the dose titration studies will be available starting Q3 2025.

Rhinovirus

We have extensive experience with rhinovirus 39 for CHIM trials, offering a cost-effective way to generate proof-of-concept data for upper respiratory treatments. To support our global health mission, INFECTA is investing in rhinovirus 16 production, with dose escalation planned for Q3 2025.

Influenza

INFECTA, in collaboration with CHDR, leads the development of a novel H3N2 strain for controlled human infection studies through the Inno4Vac IHI program. This strain better represents circulating variants and induces stronger clinical symptoms, with dose escalation in healthy volunteers planned for 2026. We also have access to titrated influenza strains and a licensed reverse genetics strains, and a cohort of 100 healthy volunteers and banked sera are available for immunity screening.

RSV

INFECTA supports the growing RSV research field to reduce the global burden of this virus. One of the InFECT-NL partners, pioneered with an outpatient RSV CHIM, lowering costs and improving accessibility. Through Inno4Vac, INFECTA is co-developing an RSV B strain. This strain will be titrated in healthy volunteers on an outpatient basis in 2025.

Seasonal Corona

We are actively involved in the development of a novel common cold corona virus OC43 for CHIM. In the CEPI and HERA funded MUSICC consortium, INFECTA partners take the lead in titrating this strain in healthy human volunteers. This trial is scheduled for 2026.

COVID19

INFECTA has stockpiled a GMP Wuhan strain SARS-CoV-2 for CHIM purposes at LUMC. This strain can be titrated in healthy volunteers should there be compelling scientific reasons. Given the risk of long-COVID, our team is conscience of the potential safety risk associated with such studies and will take a very prudent approach.

Bordetella Pertussis

We offer a Bordetella pertussis CHIM for commercial use. This model provides a valuable platform for evaluating novel vaccines and therapeutics,

Non-toxigenic Clostridioides difficile

Together with our academic partners, INFECTA has conducted an oral titration of non-toxigenic Clostridioides difficile spores for CHIM. Using standardized antibiotic pretreatment and a unique capsule formulation, we ensure high colonization rates in healthy adults with proven safety. These outpatient studies offer a cost-effective platform for evaluating prebiotics, postbiotics, and live bacterial therapies.

Clostridioides difficile

In participation with the Inno4Vac consortium, we have succeeded in producing toxigenic Clostridioides difficile spores, currently being dose-titrated in healthy adults. Conducted in an outpatient setting with antibiotic pretreatment, this model offers a robust platform for evaluating therapies that target toxin production or require clinical endpoints.

Pneumococcus

INFECTA, and our academic partners, offer a Pneumoccoccus CHIM for commercial use. This model provides a valuable platform for evaluating novel vaccines and therapeutics.

Hookworm

We have established a Necator americanus CHIM for evaluating novel preventive and therapeutic products. Dose titration ensures infection levels reflective of real-world exposure, with validated microscopic and molecular endpoint assays available. Given the global burden of this neglected disease, INFECTA actively supports initiatives in this field.

Malaria

With decades of experience in malaria CHIMs, INFECTA provides Anopheles stephensi-infected mosquitoes for challenge studies. We also utilize the PfSPZ Challenge model from Sanaria Inc. and offers Plasmodium falciparum strains 3D7 (NF54 clone), 7G8, and NF135. With our extensive expertise, we are well-equipped to design and conduct clinical trials for novel malaria treatments and preventives.

Schistosomiasis

INFECTA has spent the past decade developing a novel CHIM using male Schistosoma mansoni cercariae for product testing. The source of infectious material is the Biomphalaria glabrata colony at LUMC. The synchronized development of schistosomes in the human host allows testing of new infectious disease products. We collaborate with the Uganda Virus Research Institute in a Wellcome Trust-funded study to assess a new schistosomiasis vaccine.

Ticks

INFECTA offers a Ticks CHIM to support vaccine and therapeutic research

Our offering

How can we help you?

We can become your trusted partner during the clinical development of your infectious diseases’ compounds. Providing support with the following activities:

Regulatory-compliant drug research

First in human trials / Safety and immunogenicity trials / Dose finding studies
Recruitment services
Study design & protocol development
Clinical execution according to ICH-GCP guidelines
Statistics & data management

Development of novel clinical research methodologies

Biomarkers
Controlled Human Infection Models

Laboratory support

PBMC isolation
Sample processing
Safety laboratory
Virology assays
Immunology assays (cellular & humoral)

Early phase clinical drug development support & end-to-end consulting

Regulatory & ethics support

Get in touch

Get your compound to the next stage by getting in touch with us

Our expertise lies in the pharmaceutical product development for infectious diseases with pandemic potential.

Our Team

Meet the Team

Prof. Dr. Meta Roestenberg

CEO

I’m dedicated to harnessing innovation to reduce costs and expand global access to infectious disease products

Dr. Ingrid de Visser – Kamerling

COO

I’m dedicated to high quality, because advancing infectious disease research enhances global health and improves the quality of lives worldwide

Sophie Watertor

Pandemic Preparedness Strategy Specialist

I’m dedicated to staying connected because building a resilient future requires a community. One that shares research, memes, sourdough starters, and ensures everyone has a fair chance to contribute and thrive.

Cynthia Crul

Project Manager

I’m dedicated to transparency because sharing input and results leads to a more equitable world.

Eveline Ijzelenberg

Management Assistant

I’m dedicated to staying connected because I thrive on building meaningful relationships through creativity and open-mindedness. Together, we create opportunities and forge connections that make a real impact.

Saco de Visser

Advisor

I’m dedicated to innovation, driving the development of affordable vaccines and treatments to ensure access to medicine for those who need it most.

Robert Sauerwein

Advisor

I’m dedicated to high-quality work, helping to accelerate the development of products for particularly vulnerable people to combat major infectious diseases.

Ecosystem

Join our ecosystem

INFECTA is an InFECT-NL company. The InFECT-NL foundation is established by a consortium of the University Medical Centers of Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Leiden and Utrecht. InFECT-NL aims to impact global health by improving accessibility of therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases. InFECT-NL provides a hub of expertise that connects both private and public organizations and supports academic and regulatory innovation by encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing. This active network of collaborators invests in biomarker development and establishes new CHIM models.

Through our shared knowledge and experience we deliver high-quality, patient-focused outcomes.

Dedicated to infectious disease solutions transparency global health collaboration innovation success our clients