About us
We are a Colombian biotechnology company that develops products and services that contributes to Colombia and the region's health sovereignty, positively impacting people's health.
About us
VaxThera S.A.S is our main company located in Medellín, Colombia, and is dedicated to research, develop, and commercialize products and services. To facilitate its business model, it established two subsidiary companies:
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VaxThera Zona Franca: Focused on compounding, finishing, manufacture, and commercialization of products. It is located in Rionegro, Antioquia.
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VaxThera LLC: Located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States, it is dedicated to the research and development of biologics.
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VaxThera S.A.S.:
Carrera 64B No. 49A –
30, Medellín, Antioquia -
800 metros norte de la glorieta
aeropuerto JMC, Chachafruto,
Vereda Playa Rica, Rionegro,
Antioquia -
place in Wisconsin,
Estados Unidos
Our History
In 2021, there was a clear need in Colombia and other countries in the region to produce vaccines and biologics locally, in order to respond to future pandemics and address local needs. This is why Seguros SURA made the decision to join forces with Jorge Emilio Osorio and Juan Pablo Hernández, both of whom have extensive experience in the scientific field, particularly in vaccine development and a deep understanding of the country's epidemiology, to create VaxThera and contribute to the health
sovereignty of the region.
From the voice of the team, get to know the milestones achieved by the company
in its first two years of existence.
January
The team selection process begins.
February
Scientific Training at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the Research and Development Team.
June
Official launch of the company.
September
VaxThera Zona Franca creation.
November
VaxThera LLC Constitution.
February
Start of the construction of the Manufacturing plant.
April
International patent application (PCT) and in Argentina to protect UniVax, our own vaccine against COVID-19.
August
- Approval of the Free Trade Zone declaration for the Manufacturing plant.
- Winners of the ANDI Innovation Ranking.
August
- We received a favorable assessment from the FDA regarding the preclinical results of our COVID-19 vaccine.
- Beneficiaries of the call of the Colombian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the development of vaccines against Zika, Chikungunya, and Yellow Fever.
October
Recognition from Innos, Afidro, and Universidad El Bosque for our contribution to the healthcare innovation system in Colombia.
December
Winners of the ANDI Innovación + País call.
April
Beneficiaries of the call launched by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) in collaboration with the University of Madison – Wisconsin for the development of a veterinary vaccine against COVID-19.
June
Research Headquarters inauguration.
December
Launch of our Customized Immunization Program in partnership with SURA.
To achieve this, we have defined the following overarching purpose,
accompanied by essential enablers, pillars, and corporate principles:
Overarching Purpose:
To contribute to the health security and quality of life for people in Latin America
We aim for Colombia and the region to have the human, technological and logistical capabilities to protect themselves against possible emerging, re-emerging, and tropical neglected diseases.
Enter hereEnablers:
- Human Talent: We recognize individuals as our differentiating element for developing the organizational capabilities.
- Trusted Relationships: We promote long-term relationships with stakeholders.
- Advocacy: We aim to eliminate indecision and drive actions for people to adopt immunization as a tool that improves public health.
- Technology: We create and develop platforms and processes that generate value for individuals and businesses.
Strategic Pillars:
- Quality: All our processes are based on good practices and ethical principles, ensuring safe and effective products.
- Innovation: We have the ability to adapt to changes in the environment and respond in an agile and creative manner.
- Sustainability: We have social and environmentally sustainable policies for the development of our daily actions.
Corporate Principles:
- Transparency: Clarity and integrity are present in all actions and relationships with our stakeholders.
- Respect: We acknowledge the value of all individuals and accept them as they are.
- Responsibility: We fulfill our commitments, safeguarding the assets of the Company and our stakeholders.
- Equity: We provide equal treatment for all individuals, regardless of their social, economic, racial, sexual, or gender conditions.
Ethics and Corporate Governance System
Our company's purpose is to contribute to the health security and life quality of Latin Americans. To achieve this, we are guided by corporate principles that govern all our actions, both internal and external.
Within our management framework, we have:
Code of Good Governance: is the fundamental standard that provides general guidelines for the Company and its employees, which must be rigorously followed in the trust-based relationships built among its various entities and stakeholders.
Ver PDFCode of Conduct: This serves as a guide for decision-making, directing the expected behavior of our teams in their interactions with various stakeholders. It also aids in identifying situations that may impact corporate ethics and the society to which they belong.
Ver PDFPersonal Data Protection Policy: It defines the rights of the data subjects whose personal data the Company collects, as well as the principles, responsibilities, purposes, channels of communication, and procedures established for the proper processing of such information.
Ver PDFFounders
Jorge Emilio Osorio, MVZ. PhD
With over 35 years of experience in the design, development, and production of vaccines, has led strategic projects dedicated to creating vaccine solutions to address emerging and re-emerging diseases. His distinguished professional journey includes the development of a vaccine against dengue, as well as vaccine research for chikungunya, influenza, rabies, plague, and various infectious diseases. Currently, he is the CEO of VaxThera and director at the Global Health Institute of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, solidifying his ongoing commitment to research and contributing to the advancement of global health.
Juan Pablo Hernández, PhD
With a track record of more of 15 years in molecular engineering, he is currently COO at VaxThera and director of the One Health program at the National University of Colombia and the Genomic One Health Laboratory. Through these roles, he has solidified his commitment to research and the promotion of public health from an integral perspective. Additionally, he is professor in the Department of Materials and Nanotechnology at the National University of Colombia.
Seguros SURA Colombia
Company specialized in insurance and risk trend management with over 80 years in the market. It is one of the five largest Latin American companies in the insurance industry, with presence in seven countries. In Colombia, it participates in the social security sector through EPS SURA and ARL SURA, among other complementary operations. Learn more about this company by clicking here.
Directive Board
Juan Pablo Hernández, CSO / COO, VaxThera
With a track record of more of 15 years in molecular engineering, he is currently CSO/COO at VaxThera and director of the One Health program at the National University of Colombia and the Genomic One Health Laboratory. Through these roles, he has solidified his commitment to research and the promotion of public health from an integral perspective. Additionally, he is professor in the Department of Materials and Nanotechnology at the National University of Colombia.
Juan David Escobar Franco Presidente, Seguros Sura Colombia
Since 2016, Juan David has served as the President of Seguros SURA Colombia. Under his leadership, the company has diversified its portfolio of solutions and transformed its operational model to position itself as a trend and risk manager, develop new markets in the country, and maintain the largest market share in the national insurance industry. Additionally, he is a member of the Board of Directors of Bancolombia and the Governing Council of the Folkloric Ballet of Antioquia.
Juana Francisca Llano. Presidente, Suramericana
She joined SURA over 20 years ago after completing her studies in Law and Political Science. Until 2020, she led the Insurance Vice-presidency of Suramericana, overseeing the acquisition of RSA's operations in Latin America, which resulted in the creation of the corporate office. In April 2020, amid the global pandemic, she assumed the leadership of Suramericana, the Sura Insurance corporate.
Fil Randazzo. Director general, Leverage Science
With a background in Microbiology and Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame, a Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Indiana, Bloomington, and postdoctoral experience at Stanford University and the Mt. Sinai Hospital Research Institute in Toronto, Fil Randazzo is the founder and CEO of Leverage Science. For 12 years, he served as Deputy Director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), where he oversaw investments totaling more than 2 billion dollars.
Silvia Restrepo.Presidente, Boyce Thompson Institute
Biologist with a Master's degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology and a Ph.D. in Phytopathology from the University Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris VI, Silvia Restrepo served as Vice President of Research and Creation at the University of Los Andes between 2014 and 2023. Currently, she is the President of the Boyce Thompson Institute in Ithaca, NY. She is an expert in plant diseases, applying omics and computational biology to advance the understanding and management of these diseases.
Management Team
Jorge Emilio Osorio CEO
With over 35 years of experience in the design, development, and production of vaccines, has led strategic projects dedicated to creating vaccine solutions to address emerging and re-emerging diseases. His distinguished professional journey includes the development of a vaccine against dengue, as well as vaccine research for chikungunya, influenza, rabies, plague, and various infectious diseases. Currently, he is the CEO of VaxThera and director at the Global Health Institute of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, solidifying his ongoing commitment to research and contributing to the advancement of global health.
Juan Pablo Hernández COO
With a track record of more of 15 years in molecular engineering, he is currently CSO/COO at VaxThera and director of the One Health program at the National University of Colombia and the Genomic One Health Laboratory. Through these roles, he has solidified his commitment to research and the promotion of public health from an integral perspective. Additionally, he is professor in the Department of Materials and Nanotechnology at the National University of Colombia.
Luz Marina Velásquez Human Resources Vicepresident
Social Communicator - Journalist from the University of Antioquia, with a specialization in Public Management from the Pontifical Bolivarian University. She worked for 10 years in the academic sector on projects associated with Communication for Development and Scientific Dissemination. Currently, she is a member of the boards of directors of ACRIP Region Centro and the International Organization of Human Capital Executives - DCH, Colombia chapter.
Luis Guillermo Gutiérrez CFO
Civil Engineer from EAFIT University and Master of Actuarial Sciences with a specialization in Corporate Finance from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, USA. Luis has been with SURA since 1996, gaining extensive experience in the development and implementation of pension products, as well as in the valuation and acquisition processes of insurance companies. He also has extensive experience in actuarial work related to social security and risk management for insurance companies.
Daniela Lopera Hernández Legal Affaires Director
Lawyer from EAFIT University in Medellín, with a specialization in Commercial Law from the University of Rosario in Bogotá in agreement with the University CES in Medellín, and in Financial Law and Stock Market from the Pontifical Javeriana University in Bogotá. Since 2021, she has been the Director of Legal Affairs and Legal Representative of the Companies that constitute VaxThera. Currently, she leads legal matters contributing to the fulfillment of its objectives, providing protection, assistance, and integral services to the different areas of the Company according to their needs.
Juan Fernando Noreña Plant Director
Biologist from the University of Antioquia, where his research focused on microbiology, genetics, plant taxonomy, ecology, and limnology. He has over 15 years of experience leading teams in manufacturing, research, and development in pharmaceutical companies in the United States, mainly in the areas of manufacturing, quality control, materials, filtration, sterilization, aseptic filtration, lyophilization, inspection, and packaging under Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP).
Natalia Muñoz Durango Special Projects Director
Microbiologist and Bioanalyst from the University of Antioquia, holds a master's degree in biomedical sciences from the same institution, and a Ph.D. from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Her research has focused on studying the pathogen-host interaction from an immunological perspective, experimental vaccine development, and understanding the role of hormones in the immune system modulation.
Madelyn GutiérrezClinical Operations Director
Psychologist from the University of Antioquia with a master’s degree in management from the Universidad del Mar. She has over 12 years of experience leading teams in Clinical Research at research centers and pharmaceutical companies in Colombia and the United States.
Leonor Hidalgo CiroTrusted Relationships and Sustainability Director
Lawyer from the University of Antioquia with a master’s degree in political studies from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With over 16 years of experience designing, leading, and executing innovation projects in Colombia, she has extensive knowledge of the national science, technology, and innovation system.