AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG

This month, we’d like to introduce Daniela Boshoven, our Director of Human Resources at Aicuris.    Daniela is at the heart of shaping Aicuris' strong and dynamic workforce. She plays a key role in overseeing talent acquisition, employee development, performance management, and organizational strategy. Daniela’s expertise ensures that Aicuris not only attracts top-tier talent but also provides a supportive, growth-oriented environment where employees can thrive and contribute to the company’s mission in the fight against infectious diseases.    With 15 years of experience in international human resources management, Daniela brings a wealth of knowledge from diverse industries, including biotech and industrial services. Her background in International HR Management and Business Coaching has empowered her to lead initiatives that align the workforce with Aicuris’ long-term goals while fostering a collaborative culture where employees are encouraged to innovate and excel.    What Daniela enjoys most about working at Aicuris is the opportunity to support a passionate and diverse team dedicated to making a tangible impact in healthcare. She finds it deeply rewarding to guide employees in their professional journeys, helping them reach their full potential while contributing to Aicuris' mission of advancing life-saving antiviral therapies for immunocompromised individuals.   

March was a dynamic month for the Aicuris team as we engaged with experts across the globe to discuss the latest advancements in virology and antiviral drug development.    We kicked off at the German Society for Virology conference in Hamburg, where we connected with leading virologists on cutting-edge research. At #BIOEuropeSpring in Milan, we exchanged ideas with life science leaders and explored new collaboration opportunities. Finally, at ICAR in Las Vegas, we joined global antiviral experts to dive deep into the future of antiviral therapies.    These discussions have provided vital insights, and we are more excited than ever to apply them as we continue advancing our innovative pipeline of antiviral therapies!

We are thrilled to announce that Dilruwan Chaminda Herath has joined AiCuris as our new Senior Director of Clinical Development. With over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and a strong medical background focused on infectious diseases, Dilruwan brings a wealth of expertise to our team.     In his new role, he will lead the execution and advancement of AiCuris’ clinical programs, ensuring the strategic development and operational success of our pivotal Phase 3 asset, pritelivir—a small molecule that has shown promising activity against drug-resistant HSV-1 and HSV-2 strains. Additionally, Dilruwan will play a crucial role in regulatory interactions, furthering our mission to deliver innovative antiviral therapies to patients in need.     We are excited to welcome Dilruwan and look forward to the significant impact of his leadership as we continue to shape the future of our clinical pipeline!   

Small molecule drugs are crucial in treating conditions ranging from viral infections to cancer. Their small size and molecular properties allow them to pass through cell membranes and reach intracellular targets, such as enzymes essential for biological functions, making them highly effective therapies.   Our lead asset, pritelivir, is an antiviral small molecule that directly targets the helicase-primase complex, a viral enzyme vital for Herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA replication. This complex functions as a molecular zipper, unwinding viral DNA so it can be copied. By blocking this process, pritelivir prevents HSV from replicating. Its unique mechanism of action holds promising potential for a broad clinical application to treat HSV infections.    Currently in a Phase 3 clinical trial, pritelivir represents our commitment to advancing antiviral therapies and improving patient outcomes.     Learn more about our innovative pipeline and ongoing clinical trials at https://www.aicuris.com/ 

The Aicuris team has a busy and exciting March ahead, with three conferences on the horizon!    From March 4-7, our Senior Director of Virology, Peter Lischka, and Principal Scientist Virology Thomas Goldner will be in Hamburg for the German Society for Virology meeting to engage with leading virology experts from across Germany. Thomas Goldner will also head to Las Vegas later in the month for the 38th International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR, Mar 17-21). Our team will be joined by leading scientists, researchers, and industry professionals to discuss new advances in antiviral drug discovery and development.    At the same time, we will be at #BIOEuropeSpring in Milan (March 17-19), where our Associate Director Business Development Evgenii Bondarenko   looks forward to connecting with industry peers and gaining valuable insights into the evolving biotech and pharma landscape in 2025.    We are excited to reconnect with colleagues, build new partnerships, and share more insight on how we are advancing innovative therapeutic candidates tailored to the unique needs of immunocompromised individuals.    If you will be at any of these events, we are happy to connect! 

Since its introduction in the 1980s, acyclovir has been a key antiviral therapy for managing herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, helping millions of patients worldwide. The molecule targets the viral polymerase, requiring prior activation by the viral enzyme thymidine kinase. Unfortunately, mutations in either of these two enzymes can lead to resistance against acyclovir, rendering the treatment ineffective.    This issue is particularly concerning for immunocompromised individuals, such as transplant recipients and those undergoing cancer treatment who experience a much higher prevalence of resistance compared to immunocompetent people. Because all approved HSV antivirals share the same target - the viral DNA polymerase - cross-resistance between drugs can complicate treatment further, leaving some patients with few or no effective options.    At Aicuris, we are committed to addressing this critical challenge. Our lead program, pritelivir, introduces a different approach by targeting the viral helicase-primase complex — an essential component of HSV DNA replication. Unlike existing therapies, pritelivir’s unique mechanism bypasses the need for activation by viral thymidine kinase, making it effective against acyclovir-resistant strains. Currently in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial, pritelivir has demonstrated activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2, including drug-resistant cases, offering hope for those facing difficult-to-treat infections.    We are dedicated to advancing antiviral innovation and delivering solutions for a particularly vulnerable patient population. 

This week, our Associate Director Bioanalytics, Gnana Oli Rajaraman, will take the stage at the European Immunogenicity Platform (EIP) Symposium in Lisbon, Portugal.      The EIP Symposium is a key gathering for researchers and biopharma professionals to explore the latest in immunogenicity assessment. It connects industry experts with scientific advisors to advance knowledge in the field.      Oli will present on February 26 at 11:00 AM discussing the “Generation of Anti-Drug Antibody (ADA) Positive Control and Development of a Bridging Immunogenicity Assay for RNA Therapeutics in Human Serum”. He will dive into strategies for drug linker synthesis, drug specific polyclonal antibody purification, and discuss the development of an ADA immunogenicity assay for RNA therapeutics.     Are you planning to attend the EIP Symposium? Don’t miss Oli’s talk and reach out to connect with him.     

We are excited to continue spotlighting the talented individuals who make up Aicuris in 2025. This month, we are pleased to introduce Tom Ouellette, our Vice President of Operations.  In his role, Tom leads the planning, coordination, and oversight of operational activities, ensuring the development and implementation of efficient, cost-effective systems as Aicuris transitions into a commercial-stage organization. With over 25 years of experience in the anti-infective therapeutic landscape and a prior 14-year career as a critical care nurse, Tom brings a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to supporting the team’s success.    A career in Operations at a biotech company requires a blend of strategic thinking and hands-on problem-solving. It involves streamlining processes, fostering cross-functional collaboration,   and ensuring the organization has the infrastructure to advance groundbreaking therapies.    Tom is passionate about contributing to Aicuris’ mission to improve the quality of life for immunocompromised individuals. He values our team-oriented culture, the dynamic environment, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in advancing antiviral therapies.    Known for his sharp wit and sense of humor, Tom has been a tremendous addition to our team, and we are delighted to feature him this month!

Last week, Aicuris’ clinical team was on the road again! Cynthia Wat, MD MRCP MFPM, Kenneth Lawrence, and Dilruwan Chaminda Herath traveled across the Southern part of the United States, meeting with investigators, study coordinators and site staff, who are playing a vital role in advancing our clinical programs. These visits reinforce the power of collaboration in driving meaningful progress in research and development bringing medicines to immunocompromised patients. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated and highly capable clinical teams that we met with. It was a privilege to learn from your experiences and expertise. Your commitment and expertise are instrumental in shaping the future of innovative therapies. Photos: USA Health, the academic health system of the University of South Alabama. Tulane Center for Clinical Research, School of Medicine.

Today, we celebrate the contributions of women and girls in science and reaffirm our commitment to fostering diversity, equality, and inclusion within the life sciences. At Aicuris, we believe a more equitable and inclusive workplace drives innovation and better solutions for patients worldwide.    We are proud to support and elevate the voices of women and other underrepresented communities within our organization and across the biotech and pharma industries. By creating opportunities, supporting career growth, and promoting a culture of inclusion, we aim to inspire the next generation of leaders and build a more diverse scientific community.