INCATE appoints first Chief Executive Officer to shape its future vision
February 3, 2026 — INCATE (INCubator for Antibacterial Therapies in Europe), the antimicrobial incubator supporting the advancement of early stage anti-infectives, today announced a defining milestone in its institutional journey with the appointment of Holger Zimmermann as its first Chief Executive Officer.
Holger Zimmermann brings extensive experience in industrial research, biotechnology leadership, and innovation management. He began his industrial career as a laboratory head at Bayer. Moving on he was instrumental in building AiCuris, from its inception to a leading biotech company in the anti-infective space, serving for many years as Managing Director and CEO. His comprehensive expertise extends to R&D, from discovery for antivirals and antibacterials to clinical development and out-licensing, as well as strategic and organizational leadership. One of his most notable achievements as an inventor in the anti-infective field is the discovery and development of Letermovir, a life-saving antiviral therapy in transplant patients, now approved and successfully commercialized worldwide. For this work, he received the German Future Prize (Deutscher Zukunftspreis) in 2018.
“INCATE has achieved a lot in recent years and already has an exceptional foundation,” said Holger Zimmermann. “What motivates me most is the chance to build on this success and take INCATE to the next level: aligning our direction, strengthening collaborations, and creating the conditions for great ideas and talented innovators to have even greater impact in the fight against AMR.”
“The establishment of the CEO role marks a step toward sharpening its strategic direction, strengthening INCATE’s leadership, and amplifying its impact on early-stage AMR research and innovation.” said Professor Axel Brakhage, INCATE Board Member and Director of the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) in Jena. “Holger Zimmermann brings the combination of scientific depth, management expertise, and strategic leadership that will be crucial for INCATE’s next phase.”
“Appointing INCATE’s first CEO shows our continued support and commitment to the field and our ambition to make a long-term impact,” said Professor Christoph Dehio, INCATE Board Member and Director of NCCR AntiResist at the Biozentrum, University of Basel. “This step will further strengthen INCATE’s role as a forward-looking and reliable partner for industry partners and early-stage innovators working in AMR.”
About INCATE
INCATE is a not-for-profit partnership which brings together translational and basic research, industry, experienced entrepreneurs, and investors from across Europe and beyond. The German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), the Leibniz:HKI (part of Leibniz Association) in Germany, the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research AntiResist, the University of Basel are the academic founding members of INCATE with the University of Basel acting as the host. Together with the four industry partners Basilea, Roche, Shionogi and MSD as well as other organizations, funders and investors, INCATE want to ensure that the pipeline of new antibiotics, antifungals and technology platforms is filled and strengthened.
For more information please contact:
helena.costa.pereira@incate.net or +49 176 46172549
LinkedIn | BlueSky @INCATE
