Mallia Appoints Jens Holstein, Dr. Alexandra Ogilvie, and Dr. Ulrich Dauer to its Advisory Board

Mallia Appoints Jens Holstein, Dr. Alexandra Ogilvie, and Dr. Ulrich Dauer to its Advisory Board

Erlangen, Germany, July 1, 2025 – Mallia Innovations GmbH, the holding company strategically driving the development and commercialization of biopharmaceutical therapies targeting hair loss and wound healing as well as cosmetic applications for hair growth, today announced the appointment of Jens Holstein, Dr. Alexandra Ogilvie and Dr. Ulrich Dauer to its Advisory Board.

Dr. Manfred Gröppel, Co-founder and Managing Director of Mallia Innovations, commented: “With the appointments of these three highly accomplished experts with backgrounds in corporate finance and strategic leadership, biotechnology and dermatology, we will significantly strengthen our Advisory Board. Their proven track records in advancing innovative therapeutics, building successful life science companies, and providing real-world clinical insight will be invaluable as we continue to drive the development of our sCD83-based therapies for hair loss and cosmetical hair stimulation products.”

Jens Holstein, former CFO of BioNTech S.A., brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical sector. Over the past four years, he worked at BioNTech – renowned for its pioneering work in mRNA-based immunotherapies, including the COVID-19 vaccine – where he was responsible for the financial strategy to grow as a global, fully integrated immunotherapy company. Prior to BioNTech, he was almost 10 years CFO of MorphoSys, where he was instrumental in transforming the company into a fully integrated biopharmaceutical player and responsible for major partnership agreements and public financings. He also held executive roles within the Fresenius Group, including Regional CFO for EMEA and CFO of Fresenius Kabi Asia Pacific, and is currently a non-executive member of the Board of Directors of Veracyte. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Münster.

Jens Holstein commented: “I look forward to supporting Mallia in building a strong and sustainable foundation for long-term growth. Built on robust scientific expertise, a focused leadership and an experienced investor base, the company is well positioned to create real value for patients and stakeholders.”

Dr. Alexandra Ogilvie stated: “As a practicing dermatologist with decades of clinical experience, I see the urgent need for innovative, safe, and targeted solutions for stimulating hair growth on a regular basis in my medical practice. I am delighted to join Mallia’s Advisory Board and support the translation of the cutting-edge scientific research on sCD83, addressing the real needs of patient suffering from hair loss.”

Dr. Alexandra Ogilvie is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Concept, a renowned dermatology clinic in Munich, Germany. She has held senior roles in dermatology at university hospitals, has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, and has served as an investigator in numerous clinical trials. With three decades of clinical experience, Dr. Ogilvie is a recognized expert in dermatologic therapies and aesthetic medicine and brings to the Advisory Board deep clinical insight and a strong track record of translating dermatological science into patient-centered care. She holds a medical degree from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and is a member of several national and international consensus groups and scientific advisory boards.

Dr. Ulrich Dauer is serial biotech entrepreneur and former CEO of several biopharmaceutical companies, including Vivoryon Therapeutics, OMEICOS Therapeutics, and 4SC, which he founded and led through its IPO and multiple strategic partnerships. Over his 25-year career, Dr. Dauer has raised significant public and private capital and built extensive international networks in the life sciences industry. His expertise spans strategic leadership, clinical development, and corporate finance. He holds a doctorate in chemistry from the Julius-Maximilians University of Würzburg.

Dr. Ulrich Dauer added: “Mallia’s science stands out for its innovation and clear differentiation in the field. I am truly enthusiastic about joining the Advisory Board and look forward to leveraging my experience in advancing scientific breakthroughs into meaningful therapies and strategic partnerships. Together, we can help realize the full clinical potential of Mallia’s sCD83-based approach for patients and partners alike.”

About sCD83

Soluble CD83 (sCD83) is an immunomodulatory protein that is currently being developed for the topical treatment of hair loss (MAL‑856) and stimulation of hair growth (MAL‑838). The soluble CD83 protein was first identified in 2001 by Mallia co-founder Prof. Steinkasserer. It has anti-inflammatory properties via the induction of resolution of inflammation, which promotes wound healing and induces new hair growth.^[1] In addition, sCD83 has been shown to activate regulatory T cells (Tregs)^[2], which interact directly with hair follicles and can activate them.^[3] Furthermore, sCD83 inhibits cell death of hair follicles and directly activates follicular stem cells, thereby stimulating new hair growth. This multimodal mode of action distinguishes sCD83 from other topically applied hair growth agents.

Topically applied, sCD83 can directly reach the hair follicles but does not penetrate through the skin and thus does not enter the bloodstream. The effect is localized, which is a major advantage over systemic treatment options, which can cause severe side effects.

About hair loss

Hormone-related hair loss in men and women (androgenetic alopecia, or AGA) is the most common form of hair loss. Worldwide, more than 70% of men and 50% of women post menopause are affected by androgenetic alopecia. Another 147 million people suffer from immune-related, circular hair loss (alopecia areata, or AA^[4],[5]).

Androgenetic alopecia usually progresses gradually and is due to genetic and hormonal factors. In men, it often leads to a receding hairline and baldness on the top of the head, while in women it causes thinning hair in the parting area. Alopecia areata causes circular hair loss on the scalp, face or other parts of the body. It occurs when the immune system erroneously attacks hair follicles, leading to immune-mediated hair loss.

About Mallia

Mallia Innovations GmbH, based in Erlangen, Germany, is the holding company strategically driving the proprietary development and commercialization of biopharmaceutical therapies and cosmetic applications of the immune modulatory sCD83 protein, targeting hair growth, hair loss and other dermatological indications, including wound healing.

Mallia Therapeutics GmbH focuses on the clinical development of novel therapies for patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia or alopecia areata, among other conditions.  MAL-856 is based on the scientifically proven immune modulatory mode of action of sCD83, which has been investigated for close to 25 years by Mallia Co‑founder Prof. Dr Alexander Steinkasserer.^[6]

Mallia Aesthetics GmbH focuses on cosmetic applications for the stimulation of hair growth, which are also based on the scientifically validated sCD83 protein. The Company develops Innovative cosmetic products using MAL-838 that will be marketed to specialists and consumers.

For more information, visit www.mallia.com, follow us on LinkedIn.

^[1] Royzman, D., Peckert-Maier, K., Stich, L., König, C., Wild, A. B., Tauchi, M., ... & Steinkasserer, A. (2022). Soluble CD83 improves and accelerates wound healing by the induction of pro-resolving macrophages. Frontiers in Immunology, 13, 1012647. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1012647

^[2] Bock, F., Rössner, S., Onderka, J., Lechmann, M., Pallotta, M. T., Fallarino, F., ... & Zinser, E. (2013). Topical application of soluble CD83 induces IDO-mediated immune modulation, increases Foxp3+ T cells, and prolongs allogeneic corneal graft survival. The Journal of Immunology, 191(4), 1965-1975. DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201531

^[3] Ali, N., Zirak, B., Rodriguez, R. S., Pauli, M. L., Truong, H. A., Lai, K., ... & Rosenblum, M. D. (2017). Regulatory T cells in skin facilitate epithelial stem cell differentiation. Cell, 169(6), 1119-1129. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.05.002

^[4] Feinstein, R. P. (2022). Androgenetic alopecia.: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1070167-overview

^[5] Mostaghimi, A., Gandhi, K., Done, N., Ray, M., Gao, W., Carley, C., ... & Sikirica, V. (2022). All-cause health care resource utilization and costs among adults with alopecia areata: A retrospective claims database study in the United States. Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy, 28(4), 426-434: DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2022.28.4.426

^[6] Lechmann, M., Krooshoop, D. J., Dudziak, D., Kremmer, E., Kuhnt, C., Figdor, C. G., ... & Steinkasserer, A. (2001). The extracellular domain of CD83 inhibits dendritic cell–mediated T cell stimulation and binds to a ligand on dendritic cells. The Journal of experimental medicine, 194(12), 1813-1821. DOI: 10.1084/jem.194.12.1813