Company Profile Welcome at VitaK Innovation in Life Science We create unique innovation tools for better healthcare
Introduction Mission Statement History Management Team Divisions Patents Contact
Mission Statement Our mission is to improve public health and the individual quality of life by developing unique, innovative concepts and products! We create unique innovation tools for better healthcare
Our History 1988: The Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht was founded 2001: Associate Professor Dr. Cees Vermeer founded VitaK Innovation in Life Science 2001: Setting up the division "Innovation and Research" 2002: Setting up the division Clinical Research Organisation"
Our History (continued 1) 2006: Our available expertise and infrastructure for executing Human Intervention Trials was made available for third parties in the food and pharmaceutical area. 2007: A Consultancy branch for the nutritional and pharmaceutical industry was established, with senior scientists providing consultancy on a regular basis. 2010: VitaK Innovation in Life Science reported a conformation-specific Assay for Vascular Matrix Gla-Protein (MGP) which is predictive for cardiovascular mortality both in various patient groups and in the healthy population.
Our History (continued 2) 2014: Opening of our office in the United Arab Emirates 2016: Introduction Vita K Meter 2016: Introduction of prototype TransCare 2017: Introduction of prototype Nephro-K 2017: Introduction StiffnoGraph
Management Team Founder: Associate Professor Dr. Cees Vermeer (presently retired) has dedicated 40 years of his scientific career to disease prevention by optimal nutrition. His research has formed the basis for the Triage principle: long term minimal micronutrient insufficiencies form a strong risk factor for age-related diseases. He is a Key Opinion Leader in the field of vitamin K and author of over 420 papers in the international scientific press. CEO: Drs. Mehrdad Omidvar has more than 24 years working experience (national and international) in several fields: Care & Cure, Investment, Pharma, R&D, Innovation, Life Science, E-health, Medical Device, POC and IVD, Knowledge Valorisation, Clinical Nutrition and Contract Research Organization (CRO). He was also Director UAE of Maastricht University and Director B. D. at School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University. CSO: Professor Dr. Stephane Heymans combines clinics and research in Cardiology since 2003. He leads a clinical care and research program in heart failure, in particular non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, myocarditis and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction at the Maastricht University Medical Centre. His research looks for innovative techniques for the early diagnosis and refined therapies of these cardiovascular diseases. Genetics, omics, fibrosis and immunology are his main topics of research. Appointed as Professor of Cardiomyopathies within the Netherlands Heart Institute, the Maastricht University.
Management Team Vice President R&D: Dr. Pamela Kleikers studied Medicine at Maastricht University. After obtaining her medical degree in 2009, she started to work at the Atrium Medisch Centrum in Heerlen. In 2014 she got her PhD at Maastricht University at the department of Pharmacology. She continued working as a postdoctoral researcher at the department of Pharmacology and Personalised Medicine. Next to the research activities, Dr. Kleikers was also involved in teaching and supervision of (bio)medical students of Maastricht University. Operational Director: Mrs. Marjo Knapen studied Biochemistry at the University of Applied Sciences. She joined the VitaK Innovation in Life Sciences in 2001, and before that she has worked for 14 years at the Maastricht University. She is author in more than 85 publications in the international scientific literature. She is also heading the International Center for Human Intervention Studies (ICHIS).
Management Team International Commercial Director: Mrs. Ling Leonard has more than 25 years working experience (national and international) in several fields: Care & Cure, Innovation and Medical Device, specialized in cardiopulmonary products. After obtaining her MBA degree at Oklahoma City University, she studied Public Accounting in the USA. Vice President Technical Officer: Mrs. Nivedita Daimiwal works is responsible for the technical scientific process. She has more than 20 years of working experience at the Technical University (Cummins College of Engineering for Women) in India. She obtained her bachelor in Instrumentation and Control and a master in Biomedical Instrumentation. In 2012 she started her PhD at Sathyabama University. She works as Assistant Professor and has more than 35 publications. Her areas of research and expertise are: Sensor design, APG, Non-Invasive Devices, PPG, Biomedical Singnal, ECG and PWV (Pulse Wave Velocity).
Divisions 1) Division Medical Devices (POC and IVD) 2) Division Contract Research Organisation 3) Division Research and Development
Division Medical Devices (POC and IVD) This division focuses on the development of Near Patient Testing systems and advanced diagnostic solutions. VitaK is improving patient care by providing the medical community with rapid and reliable information at the Point of Care (POC) and In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD), delivering patient information when and where it is needed most. VitaK has developed a number of patented devices that are applied for the assessment of cardiovascular risk and disease, as well as for vitamin K insufficiency.
Division CRO Worldwide we are the number one Laboratory in measuring Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), and we are unique in that we can discriminate between active and inactive MGP conformations. Elevated circulating inactive MGP is one of the strongest risk factors for cardiovascular disease and mortality presently known. Since 2001 we have been experts in measuring biomarkers in blood samples generated in research projects, populationbased studies and clinical trials in the field of cardiovascular disease and related diseases.
Division CRO (continued) We support pharmaceutical companies, food (including dairy and food supplement) industries, universities, and academic research institutes in performing human intervention studies falling under the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act. We offer measuring absorption of active ingredients, as well as effect monitoring on circulating biomarkers and clinical endpoints.
Division CRO (continued) VitaK develops and manufactures innovative measurement and control solutions for the Life Science industry, Food and Dairy industry as well as the Pharmaceutical industry. Our areas of expertise are based on many years of applying knowledge in the measurement and control of: Specified ingredients in food Molecular mechanisms of action of specified ingredients Health effects Vitamin K and GLA-proteins
Division Research & Development Both fundamental and applied research are the core business of VitaK Innovation in Life Sciences, and besides our own internal research program we offer our expertise in the form of contract research for third parties. Special research topics are health benefits of vitamins and foods, and the development of new disease markers. Other topics include: Cardiovascular disease Calcium and bone metabolism Cartilage disorders Nephrology Dermatology In vitro cell cultures In vitro skin cultures Research environment
Patents Patent applications that have recently evolved from our internal research program include: 1. New biomarkers to estimate the risk of allograft failure and patient mortality after organ transplantation. 2. Prevention and counteraction of diet-induced thrombosis risk. 3. Use of vitamin K to decrease allograft failure and patient mortality after organ transplantation. 4. Improving epidermal skin health. 5. Importance of vitamin K for microvascular integrity and function.
Contact Head office: Oxfordlaan 55 6229 EV Maastricht The Netherlands T: +31 (0)43 388 5926 E: info@vitak.com W: www.vitak.com Laboratories: Oxfordlaan 70 6229 EV Maastricht The Netherlands
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