Prof. Dr. Hans Clevers

Hans Clevers has been the Head of Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED) at Roche since 2022. In this role, he is responsible for the strategy, development and management of all aspects of early research and discovery at pRED, from lead identification to target progression to late stage development. In 2023, he oversaw the successful establishment of the Institute of Human Biology, a key long-term investment to bridge the gap between academic and pharmaceutical research in Basel, Switzerland. In addition, he is a member of the expanded Corporate Executive Committee for Roche

Hans Clevers is world-renowned for his work in the fields of cell biology, molecular signaling and stem cells. His research groups’ discoveries include the detailed characterization of the molecular effectors and integrators of the “Wnt” pathway, which play crucial roles in health and disease, including colon cancer. His group provided important insights into the roles of the LGR5 protein in stem cell regeneration.

The Clevers's group pioneered “organoids”, 3-dimensional in vitro structures that behave anatomically and molecularly like the organ from which they are derived. Organoid biology has revolutionized the way we understand and approach human biology and medicine.
(https://www.hubrecht.eu/research-groups/clevers-group)

Hans Clevers obtained his MD and PhD degrees from the University Utrecht, the Netherlands. He holds a professorship in Molecular Genetics from the University Utrecht. He previously held directorship/President positions at the Hubrecht Institute, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Princess Maxima Center for pediatric oncology. He is the recipient of multiple international scientific awards, including the Breakthrough Prize in Life Science. Hans Clevers is a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (NL), the National Academy of Sciences (USA), the Royal Society (UK) and the Academie des Sciences (France). He is also Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur and Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion, among many other international accolades.