# Jan G. J. van de Winkel

> Dutch scientist and Genmab co-founder Jan G. J. van de Winkel has served as the company’s president and CEO since 2010. His career combines academic research, international company building, partnerships and an emphasis on direct conversations with colleagues. In 2026 he joined Novo Nordisk’s board and became chair of its research and development committee.

- **Role:** Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer at Genmab
- **Organizations:** Genmab, Utrecht University, Novo Nordisk, Medarex Europe (former)
- **From:** Venray, Netherlands
- **Nationality:** Dutch
- **Education:** MSc in Biology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, PhD in Immunology, Radboud University, Nijmegen
- **Known for:** Co-founded Genmab in 1999 and has led it as President and CEO since 2010., Author of more than 300 scientific publications, according to his public professional biography., European Mediscience Chief Executive of the Year awards in 2013 and 2015.

## Career timeline

- **1985** — Earned an MSc in Biology at Radboud University in Nijmegen.
- **1988** — Earned a PhD in Immunology at Radboud University in Nijmegen.
- **1996** — Began a professorship at Utrecht University.
- **1997-2000** — Vice President and Scientific Director, Medarex Europe, according to Novo Nordisk’s official biography.
- **1999** — Co-founded Genmab; served as Chief Scientific Officer.
- **2008-2010** — President, Research & Development and Chief Scientific Officer, Genmab.
- **2010** — Appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Genmab.
- **2024** — Led Genmab when it completed its first acquisition, ProfoundBio, on May 21.
- **2025** — Genmab acquired Merus; received the European Lifestars Lifetime Achievement Award.
- **2026** — Elected to Novo Nordisk’s board on March 26; chairs its R&D committee.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Genmab in 1999 and has led it as President and CEO since 2010.
- Author of more than 300 scientific publications, according to his public professional biography.
- European Mediscience Chief Executive of the Year awards in 2013 and 2015.
- Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion, 2019, listed on his LinkedIn profile.
- Fellow of the Netherlands Academy of Engineering, 2023, listed on his LinkedIn profile.
- European Lifestars Lifetime Achievement Award, 2025.
- BioNJ Dr. Sol J. Barer Award for Vision, Innovation and Leadership, February 2026.
- CEO of the Year, Danish Bio - Dansk Biotek, 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Named CEO of the Year by Danish Bio - Dansk Biotek, reported April 23.
- **2026-03** — Elected to Novo Nordisk’s board on March 26; became chair of its R&D committee.
- **2026-02** — Received the Dr. Sol J. Barer Award for Vision, Innovation and Leadership at BioNJ’s February 5 dinner.
- **2025-12** — Genmab’s annual report records the Merus acquisition on December 12, with total purchase price of $8.017 billion.

## Links

- Website: https://www.genmab.com/
- LinkedIn: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/janvandewinkel

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jan-van-de-winkel
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22