About me

After my diploma thesis I became a member of the research project Molecular Genome Analysis at the DKFZ. Under the leadership of the then DKFZ director and later Nobel laureate for medicine, Prof. Harald zur Hausen, I concentrated at that time on the identification of genes using a method I had developed. In this context, I also discovered the two genes DNaseX and TKTL1, which I further investigated for my dissertation – not yet suspecting that they would later become the basis of my life as a scientist and entrepreneur.

In 1996 my dissertation “Identification and cloning of tissue-specific expressed sequences of the band q28 of the human X chromosome” was awarded summa cum laude.
In the course of my doctoral and post-doctoral work, I also identified a large number of genes that are causally involved in the development of diseases – including RETT syndrome, muscle weakness, myotubular myopathy, the development of brain tumors and cancers of the immune system.

During this time, I was responsible for identifying and validating new markers that could be used as the basis for a cancer screening test for colorectal or lung cancer. In this context, some new genes were identified that are overexpressed (enhanced active) in tumor cells, and patents were applied for and granted for their potential diagnostic use.

Surprisingly, the analysis of the two genes TKTL1 and DNaseX, which were investigated in my doctoral thesis, showed that these genes are also increasingly activated in tumors. In the case of DNaseX, one of its protein epitopes in particular – Apo10 – was overexpressed. From this I concluded that these two genes or their protein products also have the potential for new diagnostic cancer markers.

In 2004, I was not only able to win R-Biopharm AG, Darmstadt, as a business partner for the development of DNaseX and TKTL1 ELISA tests for the detection of cancer. At the same time, I took over the management of the oncology department and established a research unit for the diagnostic evaluation of the biomarkers DNaseX and TKTL1.

The research results obtained in this context fed the findings that the mutations that occurred in the TKTL1 gene during evolution had led to a drastic change in the enzymatic activity of the TKTL1 enzyme. The enzyme now enables the cell to follow a metabolic pathway that ultimately leads to more effective energy and fat production from sugar without the formation of harmful radicals.

Since I was aware of the importance of this newly discovered metabolic pathway for the development of diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancer in particular, I began to use newly established monoclonal TKTL1 antibodies to specifically investigate TKTL1 activity in tumors.  I received support from German research groups such as Prof. Axel zur Hausen (University of Freiburg), Dr. Langbein (University Hospitals Mannheim), Prof. Kämmerer (University of Würzburg) and Prof. Völker (University of Würzburg) as well as from international researchers such as Prof. Stassi and Dr Zerilli (University of Palermo, Italy). The researchers succeeded in detecting increased TKTL1 activity in colonic and urothelial carcinomas, in subgroups of gastric and ovarian tumors, in malignant brain tumors and in metastasizing papillary thyroid carcinomas. At the same time, it became clear that increased TKTL1 activity is associated with a worse prognosis for cancer patients.

In the course of my work at TAVARLIN AG, I developed new diagnostic techniques for the early detection of tumors in blood samples as well as a range of functional food products for the prevention, therapy support and aftercare of cancer.

Diagnostic developments:

• Epitope Detection in Monocytes (EDIM) – Detection of Biomarkers in Cells of the Innate Immune System in Blood Samples
• Automated flow cytometry process
• Flow cytometry-based blood tests for early detection of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases

Food products:

• Laktat-Drink – fermented mixed milk drink with high lactate and fat content, but low carbohydrate content for gentle deacidification during cancer therapy.
• Dr. Coy’s Oil Blends – Omega-3- and MCT-fat-rich oil mixtures with tocotrienols for effective supply with essential and high-quality fats
• Chocolates with low-glycemic sugars (isomaltulose & galactose) and fibre for better blood sugar and insulin control
• Coy Complete (now Keto-Drink) – dietetic drinking food with ketogenic nutrient profile, lactate and selected functional ingredients to support the diet during cancer therapy