Dominik Witzigmann - Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - NanoVation Therapeutics (NVTx)
Dominik Witzigmann - Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) NanoVation Therapeutics
Biography
Dominik obtained his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Technology from the University of Basel in Switzerland. Following research projects at the University College London (toxicity), German Cancer Research Center (RNAi and cancer), University of Basel (targeted nanomedicines and DNA delivery) and the University of Zurich (mRNA-based genome editing), Dominik joined the team of Prof. Pieter Cullis at the University of British Columbia to focus on RNA delivery utilizing lipid nanoparticle (LNP) systems. Dominik had leadership roles within the NanoMedicines Innovation Network (NMIN - a Canadian Networks of Centres of Excellence), he co-founded and led NMIN`s NanoCore to support >30 projects with advanced nucleic acid delivery technologies, and he served as a Board Member of the Controlled Release Society Focus Group “Gene Delivery and Genome Editing”. Dominik has a proven track record in nanomedicines enabling tissue as well as cell specific drug and gene delivery. To translate next-generation LNP technologies into the clinic, Dr. Witzigmann co-founded and leads the LNP-nucleic acid company NanoVation Therapeutics.
Interview
NanoSphere: Tell us a bit about yourself—your background, journey, and what led you to where you are today.
Dominik: I have always been passionate about translating scientific discoveries into therapeutic applications that aim to improve patients' lives. My journey began with a deep interest in pharmaceutical sciences (I am a pharmacist by training), leading me to pursue a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Basel, where I focused on hepatocyte-specific drug delivery (Note: ASGPR and LDLR are key receptors of hepatocytes targeted by today’s RNA medicines). Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working at renowned institutions such as University College London, the German Cancer Research Center, the University of Zurich, and the University of British Columbia. These experiences allowed me to explore various aspects of nanomedicine, from cellular toxicity, RNA biology (miRNA & RNA interference) to genome editing and lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based drug delivery. My leadership role within the NanoMedicines Innovation Network (NMIN), a Networks of Centres of Excellence in Canada, further shaped my vision for the field: The critical need for next-generation LNP technologies to unlock the full potential of genetic medicines. This realization led me to co-found NanoVation Therapeutics alongside a team of exceptional scientists including Pieter Cullis, the founding father of LNP technology, and Jay Kulkarni, my UBC PostDoc colleague. Today, I am committed, together with the great team at Nanovation, to driving innovation in nucleic acid delivery, enabling safer and more effective treatments for a range of diseases. It is key to mention that none of this would have been possible without the incredible mentors who shaped my journey and the brilliant scientists I have had the privilege to work alongside.
NanoSphere: Nanovation is focused on advancing lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology for drug delivery. What do you see as the biggest challenge in optimizing LNPs for emerging therapies, such as gene editing and RNA-based treatments?
Dominik: LNP technology has revolutionized genetic medicine, but significant challenges remain in unlocking its full potential. One of the biggest hurdles is achieving precise tissue and cell targeting beyond the liver. While conventional LNPs efficiently deliver nucleic acids to hepatocytes, expanding delivery to extrahepatic tissues remains a major challenge. Addressing this delivery barrier requires innovative solutions, including LNP compositions with differentiated pharmacokinetic characteristics. At Nanovation Therapeutics, we have developed a delivery platform called long-circulating LNP (lcLNP™). Unlike conventional LNP formulations (which primarily target the liver), lcLNP™ demonstrate extended circulation times, improved tissue distribution beyond the liver, favorable safety profiles, and validated efficacy across multiple therapeutic applications in preclinical models (e.g., bone marrow, immune compartments, and solid tumors). Our strategic partnership with Novo Nordisk is validating our lcLNP™- based approach to extrahepatic delivery and its potential to address rare diseases through base-editing therapies. A critical factor is balancing efficacy and safety - ensuring a high therapeutic index. Gene editing and RNA-based treatments require highly efficient delivery while minimizing immune responses and off-target effects. Innovations in LNP design are essential for ensuring long-term safety and therapeutic success. Additionally, manufacturing scalability and regulatory compliance present important aspects during development. As genetic medicines move toward broader clinical adoption, ensuring consistent, high-quality LNP production that meets global regulatory standards will be crucial for commercial success.
NanoSphere: Given the rapid evolution of nanomedicine, how do you envision NanoVation’s role in shaping the future of precision drug delivery, and what disruptive innovations do you think will define the next decade in this field?
Dominik: Nanovation is well-positioned to lead the development of next-generation LNP platforms designed to overcome current limitations in precision drug delivery. Our mission is to provide fully customizable delivery solutions that empower our pharmaceutical partners to bring genetic medicines from concept to clinic. By leveraging our proprietary LNP technologies, we aim to expand the therapeutic reach of nucleic acids beyond hepatic applications into areas such as gene editing for inherited diseases, mRNA-based cancer vaccines, and immunotherapies. Looking ahead, I believe the next decade in nanomedicine will be defined by several disruptive innovations:
- Tissue-specific LNPs: The development of fit-for-purpose LNPs designed for non-liver targets will open new possibilities for treating diseases.
- “Programmable” nanoparticles: Advances in synthetic biology and RNA design will lead to platforms capable of responding to biological signals for precise gene expression.
- Personalized medicine: Integrating nanomedicine with AI-driven patient data analysis (multi-omics) will enable more personalized treatment strategies.
NanoSphere: If there’s one key message or insight you’d like to share with readers about the future of nanomedicine, what would it be?
Dominik: For nanomedicine scientists, this is an exciting era. Nucleic acid payloads (especially longer nucleic acid modalities such as mRNA or circRNA) require an efficient delivery technology - and it is up to us, as a community, to develop innovative solutions that enable safe and effective delivery to the target site. I believe the future of genetic medicine lies in precision and personalization. As we advance genetic therapies, the ability of LNPs to target specific cells with high precision - while carrying nucleic acid payloads tailored to an individual’s private mutation - will be transformative. At NanoVation, we believe collaboration is the key to unlocking this future. By working together - scientists, biotech innovators, and pharmaceutical leaders - we can overcome the current limitations of nucleic acid delivery and unlock the full potential of genetic medicine. I am confident, that the next decade will be transformative, and we are excited to be part of this journey, shaping a future where genetic medicines not only treat diseases – but prevent and cure them.
Dominik`s references: