What we stand for
Quantoom Biosciences is a full-stack RNA partner for mRNA- and saRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics. Its N-Force toolbox relies on 3 core elements to turn any antigen into a (sa)mRNA-LNP drug product: Ncode for sequence design and optimization, Ntensify® for RNA production and Ncapsulate® for RNA-LNP formulation. Beyond technology, Quantoom Biosciences assists its partners by providing extensive enabling solutions, ranging from strategic R&D partnerships to sequence design & optimization.
Our expertise & offering
Our world-class team of 40+ people bring together a depth and breadth of knowledge born from years of practical experience in the seamless scale-up of technology for bioprocessing manufacturing. Drawing from a collective decade-long track record in biomanufacturing, acquired at our parent company Univercells. Our team’s diverse skill set has equipped them to handle a diverse range of challenges and deliver innovative solutions.
Expertise in RNA
To support our mission of removing the barriers to making accessible and affordable mRNA- and saRNA-based vaccines, our international team is composed of experts with competencies ranging from in-silico to in-vivo experimental studies and analytical tools. Our brilliant minds have strong and complementary backgrounds in molecular and structural biology, process development, equipment engineering, qualification and validation, product development, and more.
Expertise in
Bioprocessing
Based on fundamental engineering principles, the idea is to intensify and introduce sequential-staggered production. This significantly reduces the footprint for easy transportation and optimization of cleanroom space. Manual steps are reduced which improves safety and product quality by advancing RNA production technologies, Quantoom Biosciences will drastically reduce production costs and improve the availability of life-saving biologics.
Expertise in
Formulation
Quantoom has built a highly-skilled team of international experts to develop Ncapsulate™, our RNA formulation system. The team can manage the development, screening and optimization of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) and polymer-based formulations for RNA delivery. We can also provide physicochemical, in vitro and in vivo characterization, including biodistribution and immune challenge for prophylactic vaccine application of RNA delivery systems. We provide services for the development of the entire RNA formulation process and manufacturing system.
Our partners
Our global collaborations
Since its commercial launch in 2023, Quantoom Biosciences has installed 25 Ntensify® systems worldwide and has five ongoing R&D collaborations.
Diversity & values
At Quantoom Biosciences, we stand for inclusivity, diversity, and respect for individual differences. We strive to practice equality across the board, from our hiring methods to how we pay employees. Our team represents many diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Accountability
We own and assume accountability for results, we establish high-performance standards
Continuous improvement
We challenge the status quo, embrace innovation, add value, and deliver operational excellence
Teach/lead
We value and solicit new ideas, develop and refine competencies by sharing knowledge and experience
Integrity
We maintain high ethical standards; respect, include and recognize differences
Team
Everyone acts as a team builder, we remove the barriers that block the team’s success
Our team
Management Team
Click on each picture to see the bio of each member
Jose Castillo, PhD.
Chief Executive Officer
Jose Castillo, PhD.
Chief Executive Officer
José Castillo co-founded Univercells in 2013 and still serves as the company’s Chief Technology Officer today. Under his leadership, Univercells has become a pioneering force in the biopharmaceutical industry, with highly efficient production processes that aim to make biologics available and affordable for all. His goal was to disrupt the industry and position Univercells as a leader in comprehensive manufacturing solutions.
In June 2021, building on his success at Univercells, José launched Quantoom Biosciences, a cutting-edge biotech with a mission to remove the barriers to making mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics, from sequence up to mass production. As the CEO of Quantoom Biosciences, José continues to drive innovation and create solutions that have the potential to revolutionize mRNA production.
As a recognized technology leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, José brings a strong track record in innovative process design and successful commercialization. Previous accomplishments include the start-up of Artelis, where he designed and developed bioreactors that transformed industrial operations – the iCellis system is now considered standard in the vaccines and gene therapy industry. The technology was industrialized at ATMI LifeSciences and Pall Lifesciences, where José held the position of Cell Culture Technologies Director. Before Artelis, José was Head of Viral Vaccine Industrialization at GSK Vaccines.
With a background in Chemical Engineering, Jose’s education includes a PhD in Applied Sciences from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, and an entrepreneurship degree from the Solvay Business School.
Rachana Talwar
Chief of staff & Chief Operating Officer
Rachana Talwar
Chief of staff & Chief Operating Officer
With over 15 years of international experience across India, France, and Belgium, she brings extensive operational and strategic expertise to Quantoom. She holds a Master’s degree in Management and has a proven track record of managing complex, cross-functional projects across varied sectors. In her role as COO, she is driving the supply chain, manufacturing, project management, quality, maintenance, and laboratory support functions.
She has been with Quantoom Biosciences since its inception and has played a pivotal role in the setup, development, and industrialization of the organization a. Prior to Quantoom, her career spanned reputed global organizations including Springer India and GSK, providing her with broad exposure across diverse industries and operating environments.
Currently serving as Chief of Staff and COO at Quantoom Biosciences in Belgium, she is a dynamic, multilingual leader whose international experience and cross-disciplinary mindset continue to drive operational excellence and innovation.
Ashiqul Haque, PhD.
Chief Scientific Officer
Ashiqul Haque, PhD.
Chief scientific officer
Ashiqul Haque is an accomplished biochemist with over a decade of experience in mRNA-based drug development. He earned his PhD from the University of Tübingen in collaboration with CureVac and TriLink, focusing on mRNA-based gene supplementation and correction therapy for Cystic Fibrosis. His research has led to multiple first-author publications in high-impact journals, including Molecular Therapy and Nature Communications, and he is the inventor on several patents covering chemical modifications of mRNA and lipid/LNP library creation for RNA-based therapeutics. Currently serving as CSO at Quantoom, Ashiqul plays a central role in guiding the company’s mRNA and saRNA programs for both vaccination and therapeutic applications. He oversees the full technical and scientific pipeline—from molecular design (antigen, mRNA, and plasmid engineering) to drug substance development (self-amplifying RNA formulated in lipid nanoparticles)—ensuring every stage meets rigorous innovation and quality standards. Ashiqul’s blend of deep scientific expertise, patent-backed innovation, and strategic project leadership continues to drive forward the next generation of RNA-based medicines.
Coralie Pirlot
Chief Financial Officer
Coralie Pirlot
Chief Financial Officer
With over a decade of multifaceted experience across various industries, roles and countries, Coralie is a finance professional adept at navigating complex business landscapes. Currently serving as the Finance Director at Univercells, overseeing the financial operations of Quantoom Technologies and Univercells R&D divisions, Coralie brings a wealth of expertise in financial management and strategic planning in various sectors.
Prior to this role, Coralie served as the Group FP&A Manager at Atalian, a prominent figure in the facility management industry. Leading a team of FP&A analysts, Coralie played a pivotal role in driving corporate financial performance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and procurement controlling, demonstrating a keen ability to align financial strategies with organizational objectives.
With previous experience in the pharmaceutical industry at Galapagos as a Senior Project Lead, Coralie was instrumental in developing commercial controlling processes and providing financial support for operational and strategic decision-making. This role showcased Coralie’s proficiency in financial excellence, business partnering, and process optimization, contributing to the company’s success in a highly competitive market.
Before transitioning into the biotech sector, Coralie honed her skills in the legal industry, serving as the Manager of Business Operations at Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, in the USA as well as the UK. Spearheading business operations activities across EMEA and Asia Pacific regions, Coralie played a key role in financial planning, reporting, pricing strategies, and client billing rate management, earning recognition for her contributions to the firm’s operational efficiency and client satisfaction.
Coralie began her career in banking at ING Belgium, where she held roles in corporate sales and associate relationship management. Responsible for advising large corporations on financial risk hedging and executing financial market products, Coralie developed a reputation for excellence in client relationship management, complex financial analysis, and regulatory compliance.
Throughout Coralie’s career journey, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence, adaptability in diverse environments, and a passion for driving results. Armed with a robust skill set and a track record of success, Coralie is poised to continue making impactful contributions in Quantoom and Univercells.
Hala Audi
Global Director Alliance & Partnership
Hala Audi
Global Director Alliance & Partnership
Hala‘s career spans20 years in government, global health and life sciences, including CEO roles and UK Treasury Director. She has international experience shaping major portfolios, building partnerships across sectors, and enabling scientific and policy innovation to translate into measurable impact. Since 2022 her work has focused on supporting clients to build GLP and GMP biomanufacturing sites to meet the rising demand for RNA based vaccines and therapeutics.
Noémie Jacquart
Head of Marketing & Sales Operations
Noémie Jacquart
Head of Marketing & Sales Operations
Noémie Jacquart brings over 6+ years of experience in strategy, market growth and expansion, grounded in a deep understanding of customer needs, market dynamics, and product value creation. She holds a master’s degree in business engineering from Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management. Prior to her current role, she worked as a strategy consultant at Monitor Deloitte and as Global Practice Manager at Arthur D. Little, supporting global leadership teams on practice strategy, performance management, and go-to-market initiatives.
In her current role, she drives Marketing activities spanning strategic marketing, go-to-market approaches, product portfolio management, as well as Sales Operations activities enabling to drive key business intelligence. She is also actively involved in the Scientific & Business Strategy Committee, supporting the Board in Quantoom’s strategic positioning and long-term vision.
Youlia Serikova, PhD.
Head of Process Development
Youlia Serikova, PhD.
Head of Process Development
Graduated from UCLouvain (Belgium), Youlia Serikova holds a PhD in Cell Biology and Biochemistry and has more than 10 years of industrial experience in biotechnology and bioprocessing related to cell, viral and molecular biology.
She leads development of capabilities in design and production of RNA-based medicines at Quantoom Biosciences.
Laurent Heusgens
Head of Engineering and Services
Laurent Heusgens
Head of Engineering and Services
Available soon.
Maria Davila-Saignol
Global Director Sales & Business Dev.
Maria Davila-Saignol
Global Director Sales & Business Dev.
Available soon.
Scientists
Our team of scientists brings expertise across a broad spectrum of capabilities
Anne de Lamotte, PhD.
Tech Lead Engineer
Laura Deruyver, PhD.
Scientist
Nathalie Dumoulin
QA Manager
Sales Team
Our sales team operates globally, ensuring seamless support in every region
Maria Davila-Saignol
Global Director Sales & Business Dev.
Didier Argentin
Director Sales Europe
James Timmins
Senior Business Developer, North America
Wen Hong Toh
Senior Business Developer, APAC
Our history
Quantoom Biosciences is a full-stack RNA partner for mRNA- and saRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics. Built around our N-Force toolbox — Ncode for sequence design, Ntensify® for scalable RNA production, and Ncapsulate® for RNA-LNP formulation — our platform turns any antigen into a high-quality (sa)mRNA-LNP drug product. Beyond technology, Quantoom Biosciences supports partners with extensive enabling services, from strategic R&D collaborations to sequence design and optimization.
University of Western Australia selects Ntensify® mini for advanced RNA research
The University of Western Australia’s RNA Innovation Foundry selects Quantoom Biosciences’ Ntensify® mini platform to support cutting-edge RNA research and technology development. This adoption highlights Quantoom’s growing footprint in academic research and innovation ecosystems, and its role in enabling the next generation of RNA-based therapies.
Restructuring and creation of Phoenix Biosciences as a standalone company
Quantoom Biosciences enters a new phase under the legal entity Phoenix Biosciences SA, through which all activities and technologies now continue. This restructuring provides a clear and solid foundation for the future, strengthening our position as a full-stack RNA solutions provider.
Research collaboration with Leading Global Cancer Center
Quantoom Biosciences signs a research license and supply agreement with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to support the development of personalized mRNA-based cancer therapeutics. This collaboration confirms Quantoom’s expansion into high-value clinical research and oncology applications, reinforcing the versatility of its mRNA formulation and manufacturing technologies.
Launch of the Ntensify micro
Quantoom Biosciences launches the Ntensify® micro, expanding the R&D segment of its Ntensify® product line. The Ntensify® micro is the smallest and most compact system designed for the Ntensify® process. This benchtop unit enables the production and purification of 500 µg to 100 mg of high-quality mRNA in just 4 to 6 hours.
Belgium and Brazil unite to advance RNA-based therapies
Quantoom Biosciences signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, strengthening international cooperation to accelerate the development and local production of RNA-based therapeutics. This milestone reflects Quantoom’s growing role as a global technology enabler, supporting sovereign manufacturing strategies beyond vaccines.
Strategic collaboration with Serum Institute of India
Quantoom Biosciences enters into a strategic collaboration with the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer to expand the accessibility of RNA-based personalized oncology and immunotherapies. This partnership marks a major step beyond vaccines, demonstrating Quantoom’s ability to support point-of-care, small-scale mRNA manufacturing for advanced therapeutic applications worldwide.
Launch of the Ntensify mano
Quantoom Biosciences announces the extension of the Ntensify product line with the launch of Ntensify mano, an mRNA kit containing mixes of reagents for mRNA production and purification for research use.
Installation of the 1st Ntensify midi
Quantoom Biosciences announces the installation of its first Ntensify midi system for mRNA vaccine production in the GMP facility of Afrigen Biologics in Cape Town, South Africa. (under 19 months of dev…)
Agreement for the first African-owned Covid-19 vaccine
The collaboration with Afrigen Biologics (hosting the World Health Organization’s Global mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer Hub) will focus on the development of a novel mRNA vaccine that will drastically accelerate access to vaccination by using Quantoom’s mRNA production technology.
Collaboration with eTheRNA
Quantoom entered into a strategic collaboration to build an advanced, small footprint technology platform for the affordable production of RNA-based therapies. This platform was designed to be used either within existing facilities or rapidly deployed to areas of urgent need.
Official launch of Quantoom Biosciences
The COVID-19 pandemic underlined the desperate need for technological innovation in manufacturing to provide a simple, scalable way to make RNA. By lowering the barriers to RNA production, we allow our partners that have previously not considered exploring RNA-based vaccines and therapeutics, to gain access to RNA production capabilities and enter the market.