Wikipedia

Jan H. Spaas

Jan H. Spaas (born January 6, 1986, in Bilzen, Belgium) is a Belgian veterinarian and researcher in veterinary science.

Early life and education

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Jan H. Spaas was born into a family with a strong background in equestrian activities. His father, Michel Spaas, was a renowned horse breeder and stallion owner (Non Stop, Jus de Pomme, Landetto, Perhaps, Flamengo, Vancouver, Takashi van Berkenbroeck, etc.), and his mother, Hilde Berghs, worked as an ergotherapist specializing in the care of disabled individuals.[1] Jan developed a passion for horseback riding at an early age, winning multiple bronze medals at the Junior European Championships and Belgian Championships in show jumping.[2][3]

Spaas pursued his high school education at Biotechnicum Bocholt and Sint-Augustinus Institute Bree, where he majored in Latin and Mathematics. He studied Veterinary Medicine at Ghent University, earning a bachelor's degree in 2007, followed by a master's degree in 2010.[4] He completed his PhD in Veterinary Science in 2013 at the Department of Comparative Physiology and Biometrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University.[5][1][6]

Career

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In 2012, Jan Spaas co-founded Global Stem Cell Technology (GST) alongside his wife, veterinarian Sarah Broeckx.[7] GST focused on developing regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal injuries in animals. The company quickly gained recognition, ranking among the top 10 global startups in animal health in 2018 and winning the Animal Pharm Award for Best Start-Up of the Year.[8] Spaas also founded Pell Cell Medicals in 2013, which specialized in stem cell treatments for skin wounds in mammals.[9]

Both GST and Pell Cell Medicals were acquired by Boehringer Ingelheim in 2020, marking a significant milestone in Spaas' career.[10][11] He raised €9.4 million for stem cell research, building a GMP production facility, and securing EU marketing authorization for two medicinal products developed under his leadership.[12][13][14][15]

In 2020, Spaas was recognized as one of the top 30 entrepreneurs under 30 by Trends magazine and was appointed visiting professor at the Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation, and Nutrition at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University.[16][17] He has served as a promotor for several PhD students and is the inventor of 16 patent families encompassing over 40 patents. Spaas has also authored more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Veterinary Science.[5] In 2018, Spaas co-founded Via Nova Equine Hospital with veterinarian Marc Suls.[18][19] The hospital was acquired by the Altano Gruppe in 2022.[20]

In 2022, Spaas was appointed Director of Global Innovation Development at Boehringer Ingelheim in Athens, Georgia,[21][22] and later as Global Head of Research for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health in Germany in 2023.[23]

In 2024, Spaas returned to Belgium, where he became chairman of the Board of Animab, a veterinary biotech company,[18] and a board member of Intibio[24][25] and Ventribio.[26] He also serves as the managing director of Berkenbroek NV and Virtus Bonarum Cellarum BV. His current work includes leading research and development efforts in veterinary orthobiologics, animal feed supplements, and developing scientifically based food supplements.[27][28]

Personal life

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Jan Spaas is married to veterinarian Sarah Broeckx, with whom he has two daughters, Julie (born in 2016) and Charlotte (born in 2018). The family resides in Belgium, where Spaas manages his family estate, Berkenbroek NV, which spans nearly 200 hectares and has been in the family since 1897.[29][30]

Publications

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  • Spaas JH, Chiers K, Burvenich C, Van de Walle GR (2012). "The influence of lactation on equine mammary stem/progenitor cells." Stem Cells and Development, 21(16):3055-3067.
  • Broeckx S, Deprez P, Govaere J, Spaas JH, Christiaens J, Maes D (2011). Relationship between the housing of and physical health deficiencies in horses: a survey of horse owners and their perception. Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift, 80: 240–247.
  • Spaas, J. H.; Oosterlinck, M.; Broeckx, S.; Dumoulin, M.; Saunders, J.; Van Soom, A.; Pille, F.; Van de Walle, G. R. (2012-02-28). "Een degeneratieve gewrichtsaandoening behandeld met autologe equine mesenchymale stamcellen uit het perifeer bloed". Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift. 81 (1). doi:10.21825/vdt.v81i1.18372. ISSN 0303-9021.
  • Spaas, Jan H.; Guest, Deborah J.; Van de Walle, Gerlinde R. (2012-10-01). "Tendon Regeneration in Human and Equine Athletes: Ubi Sumus-Quo Vadimus (Where are We and Where are We Going to)?". Sports Medicine. 42 (10): 871–890. doi:10.1007/BF03262300. ISSN 0112-1642.
  • Spaas, Jan H.; Schauwer, Catharina De; Cornillie, Pieter; Meyer, Evelyne; Soom, Ann Van; Van de Walle, Gerlinde R. (2013-01-01). "Culture and characterisation of equine peripheral blood mesenchymal stromal cells". The Veterinary Journal. 195 (1): 107–113. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.05.006. PMID 22717781.
  • Spaas, J. H.; Broeckx, S.; Van de Walle, G. R.; Polettini, M. (2013-04-01). "The effects of equine peripheral blood stem cells on cutaneous wound healing: a clinical evaluation in four horses". Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 38 (3): 280–284. doi:10.1111/ced.12068. ISSN 1365-2230. PMC 3627309. PMID 23517358.
  • Broeckx, Sarah Y.; Maes, Sofie; Martinello, Tiziana; Aerts, Désirée; Chiers, Koen; Mariën, Tom; Patruno, Marco; Franco-Obregón, Alfredo; Spaas, Jan H. (2014-05-15). "Equine Epidermis: A Source of Epithelial-Like Stem/Progenitor Cells with In Vitro and In Vivo Regenerative Capacities". Stem Cells and Development. 23 (10): 1134–1148. doi:10.1089/scd.2013.0203. ISSN 1547-3287. PMID 24368059.
  • Broeckx, Sarah; Zimmerman, Marieke; Crocetti, Sara; Suls, Marc; Mariën, Tom; Ferguson, Stephen J.; Chiers, Koen; Duchateau, Luc; Franco-Obregón, Alfredo; Wuertz, Karin; Spaas, Jan H. (2014-01-20). "Regenerative Therapies for Equine Degenerative Joint Disease: A Preliminary Study". PLOS ONE. 9 (1): e85917. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...985917B. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0085917. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 3896436. PMID 24465787.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Jan Spaas - North American Veterinary Regenerative Medicine Association". 2021-08-18. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  2. ^ "FEI Jumping European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors & Children 2024". FEI. 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  3. ^ "The Webinar Vet | Veterinary Videos & Podcasts | The Webinar Vet". thewebinarvet.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  4. ^ "Regenerative therapies for equine degenerative joint disease: a preliminary study. | Research Bank". madbarn.com. 2023-09-15. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  5. ^ a b "Jan H. Spaas". loop.frontiersin.org. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  6. ^ "Jan H Spaas". researchgate.net. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  7. ^ LeBlanc, Amy (2020-08-31). "Belgian stem cell company GST bought by German pharmaceutical giant". BioVox. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  8. ^ "Animal Pharm Awards presents accolades to serial winners and new names". agribusinessintelligence.informa.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  9. ^ "Top 10 Best Medical Spas Near Sandy Springs, Georgia". yelp.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  10. ^ "Gentse 'paardengenezer' overgenomen door Duitse farmareus". tijd.be. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  11. ^ Urbankova, Tereza (2020-07-27). "Boehringer Ingelheim acquires GST to strengthen its stem cell capabilities in Animal Health". boehringer-ingelheim.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  12. ^ "Gentse paardengenezer haalt 5 miljoen euro op". tijd.be. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  13. ^ "Gentse paardengenezer sluit deal met miljardenbedrijf". tijd.be. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  14. ^ Lehn, Marisa (2022-04-21). "Boehringer Ingelheim launches RenuTend™: a new stem cell therapy to improve the healing of tendon and suspensory ligament injuries in horses". boehringer-ingelheim.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  15. ^ Urbankova, Tereza (2019-04-09). "Boehringer Ingelheim launches the first-ever registered stem cell-based veterinary medicine". boehringer-ingelheim.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  16. ^ "Researcher profile for Jan Spaas". research.ugent.be. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  17. ^ Trends, Redactie (2020-01-29). "Dertigers aan de top: 'In elke raad van bestuur zou een jongere moeten zitten'". Trends (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  18. ^ a b "Animab announces Jan Spaas as new Chairman of the Board". www.qbic.be. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  19. ^ "Via Nova: a new path for equine treatment". PMV. 2022-08-22. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  20. ^ "Duitse paardenkliniekengroep Altano strijkt neer in België". tijd.be. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  21. ^ "Gov. Kemp: Boehringer Ingelheim Expands Global Innovation Capabilities, Invests $57 Million in Athens | Governor Brian P. Kemp Office of the Governor". gov.georgia.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  22. ^ "Boehringer Ingelheim Expands Global Innovation Capabilities, Invests $57 Million in Athens | Georgia Department of Economic Development". www.georgia.org. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  23. ^ "Limburgse paardenfanaat krijgt topfunctie bij Duitse farmareus". tijd.be. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  24. ^ "Intibio. About us". www.intibio.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  25. ^ "INTIBIO 0737.613.932". pappers.be. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  26. ^ "VENTRIBIO SRL - BE 1011.474.131 | Aperçu". Bizzy (in French). Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  27. ^ "Farmareus neemt innovatief bedrijf van Limburgs koppel over". Made in (in Flemish). 2020-07-27. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  28. ^ "VETERINARY INNOVATION ALLIANCE 0689.786.794". pappers.be. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  29. ^ "Jan Spaas". Made in (in Flemish). Retrieved 2024-08-30.
  30. ^ "De briljante stamcellen van Jan Spaas". paardensport.knhs.nl. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
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