Rasmus Skaarup Mortensen

Research

Dr. Mortensen received his doctorate in immunology and vaccinology at University of Copenhagen and has a key interest in understanding the interplay between bacterial pathogens and the host. His research is focused on protective mechanisms of vaccine mediated immunity with the overall goal of developing novel vaccine concepts. This includes:

• Discovery of novel vaccine targets and rational vaccine design
• Immunological studies of T cell homing and functionality
• Host-directed therapy and therapeutic vaccination
• Optimization of vaccine immunogenicity using new adjuvants and alternative delivery forms

His expertise covers development activities from early discovery to testing and transitioning into clinical trials. Currently, the main focus of his research is to develop an improved next-generation tuberculosis vaccine.

Responsibilities

• Scientific project leader and head of the TB Vaccine Research
• Transitioning of research projects into product development and clinical testing

Selected publications

• Borges AH, Russell M, Tait D, Scriba TJ, Nemes E, Skallerup P, van Brakel E, Cabibbe AM, Cirillo DM, Leuvennink-Steyn M, Rutkowski KT, Wood GK, Thierry-Carstensen B, Tingskov PN, Meldgaard EC, Kristiansen MP, Søndergaard RE, Hansen CH, Follmann F, Jensen CG, Gela A, Ntinginya N, Ruhwald M, Shenje J, White L, Innes C, Selepe P, Ngaraguza B, Holmgren C, Collings T, Andersen P, Dawson R, Churchyard G, Sabi I, Diacon AH, Mortensen R, Hatherill M, POR TB study group. Immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy of the vaccine H56:IC31 in reducing the rate of tuberculosis disease recurrence in HIV-negative adults successfully treated for drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial. Lancet Infect Dis. Mar 5:S1473-3099(24)00814-4.
• Woodworth JS, Contreras V, Christensen D, Naninck T, Kahlaoui N, Gallouet AS, Langlois S, Burban E, Joly C, Gros W, Dereuddre-Bosquet N, Morin J, Olsen ML, Rosenkrands I, Stein AK, Wood GK, Follmann F, Lindenstrøm T, Hu T, Le Grand R, Pedersen GK, Mortensen R. MINCLE and TLR9 agonists synergizeto induce Th1/Th17 vaccine memory and mucosal recall in mice and non-human primates. Nat Commun. 2024 Oct 17;15(1):8959.
• Dijkman K, Lindenstrøm T, Rosenkrands I, Søe R, Woodworth J, Arlehamn CSL, Mortensen R. A protective, single-visit TB vaccination regimen by co-administration of a subunit vaccine with BCG. NPJ Vaccines. 2023 May 9;8(1):66
• Jenum S, Tonby K, Rueegg CS, Rühwald M, Kristiansen MP, Bang P, Olsen IC, Sellæg K, Røstad K, Mustafa T, Taskén K, Kvale D, Mortensen R, Dyrhol-Riise AM. A Phase I/II randomized trial of H56:IC31 vaccination and adunctive cyclooxygenase-2-inhibitor treatment in tuberculosis patients. 2021 Nat Comm 22;12(1):6774
• Woodworth JS, Clemmensen HS, Battey H, Dijkman K, Lindenstrøm T, Laureano RS, Taplitz R, Morgan J, Aagaard C, Rosenkrands I, Arlehamn CSL, Andersen P, Mortensen R. A Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific subunit vaccine that provides synergistic immunity upon co-administration with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin. 2021 Nat Commun 18;12(1):6658