About Us
We aid the transition from animal-based to in-vitro human-based pyrogen testing to increase patient safety and save animal lives.
To achieve this, we’ve been developing the Monocyte Activation Test (MAT) since 2016.
Our Vision
We fully support the decision taken by the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) to completely replace the rabbit pyrogen test (RPT) with the monocyte activation test (MAT) before 2026.
The MAT has been developed for nearly 50 years, but there has been a lack of public awareness around this topic. With the new course of the EDQM, we can finally push for the implementation of the MAT as the new standard testing method for pyrogens.
400.000
Rabbits can be saved worldwide per year
60.000
Horseshoe crabs can be saved in the US per year
Quality You Can Rely On
We’re ISO:9001:2015 Certified to ensure the highest levels of quality for our products and services.
Download Certificate
Meet Our Team
Guillermo Sanchez
Founder and CEO
As a serial entrepreneur since 2006, Guillermo has gained extensive experience building disruptive products and companies. Since 2016, he has collaborated with over 30+ industry-leading companies to co-develop the MAT kit and automation. Guillermo has been involved in solving challenges from the production and transport of cell sources to bridging the challenges between product, lab, and regulations.
Peter Brugger
Scientific Advisor
Peter has dedicated his life to the quality of pharmaceuticals and has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing the Monocyte Activation Test. More than 40 years of experience in the field at Novartis and Lonza, and has (co)authored numerous scientific articles.
Ali Seyedmehdi
Head of People
Passionate about People and Technology. Ali has over 20 years of experience in IT, Operations, HR, Recruitment, company building, and management at start-up, scale-up, and corporate stages.
Priscilla Kerkman
Senior Scientist
Dr. Priscilla Kerkman has more than 12 years of experience in immunology and has developed a passion for the human immune system and how it can be utilized to improve people’s lives. She has used various techniques to identify and study human cells and antibodies in autoimmunity, virology, and bacteriology. Next to her experience in the lab, she’s been a project manager. She likes organizing external and internal projects with multiple stakeholders, teaching and supervising colleagues, gathering all data to perform data analysis, and giving presentations on the project’s progress.
Fleur de Roos
Research Associate & Lab Manager
Gaining a solid basis in chemistry during her study, Fleur moved more towards biochemistry. During an internship abroad, further interest was sparked in the startup environment as well as animal-free solutions. Therefore, the challenge to streamline production and further develop the MAT test is right up her lane.
Eva Kritikou
Program Manager
Dr. Eva Kritikou has more than eight years of immunology experience in academic research and three years of experience in the CRO-industry. Her passion for biomedical research drove her to acquire her PhD in the field of immunology in Leiden, followed by a 3-year postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School. Upon completion, she returned to Leiden to pursue her interests in the biopharmaceutical industry, where she expanded her skills in business acquisition and project management, leading multimember teams of technicians and scientists while serving as a mentor in managing projects and business development.
Alice Bacon
Scientist
Alice Bacon is a Scientist with profound expertise in the biomedical and biochemical sciences. As a Marie Curie PhD fellow at Leiden University Medical Center, she has notably contributed to the ArthritisHeal project, focusing on glycomic and lipidomic studies pertinent to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Her research has enabled a deeper understanding of the effects of immunoglobulin subclasses on macrophage behavior and lipid metabolism, which is critical for innovating therapeutic strategies. Alice’s analytical skills and dedication to her field make her an invaluable addition to our team as we continue to explore and innovate within the immunology and biomedical research arena.
Hanneke Verveen
QC Scientist
With a rich tapestry of expertise in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological fields, Hanneke specializes in quality control and analytical methodologies. With a background in molecular biology and vaccine development, she has spent the past decade at Intravacc, mastering a spectrum of techniques from molecular cloning to vaccine characterization under GMP settings. Her role as QC Scientist leverages her extensive experience in laboratory management, regulatory compliance, and method development, ensuring that our products meet the highest quality and efficacy standards. Hanneke’s commitment to scientific rigor and adeptness in navigating complex analytical landscapes make her a vital asset to our team.
Anaïs Legent
Senior Scientist
Anaïs brings over 14 years of experience in biotechnology, specializing in drug development for immunology and autoimmune diseases. She has led high-profile projects in target discovery and validation, developed disease-relevant assays, and screened novel antibody drug candidates. At Galapagos, she spearheaded autoimmune projects, built co-culture assays, and conducted mechanism-of-action studies. As a team leader at Sanquin’s immunomonitoring division, she streamlined lab processes and led cross-functional efforts. Anaïs is known for her strategic mindset, leadership, and commitment to scientific rigor. Her collaborations across academia and industry have driven innovation and assay development. With her deep immunology expertise, Anaïs is well-positioned to support MAT Research’s mission to advance immune-related product development and innovation.
Silvia Neri
Research Technician
Silvia brings strong expertise in flow cytometry, primary cell culture, and molecular analysis, honed through her PhD at Sanquin, and previous international research internships. Silvia has a strong background in molecular hematology and immunology and has led studies on red blood cell biology and immune responses. Passionate about scientific innovation, she has presented her work at leading conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. Silvia thrives in collaborative environments, contributing with analytical thinking, precision, and dedication. At MAT Research, she plays a key role in strengthening the scientific foundation of the Monocyte Activation Test, helping to replace animal models with robust, human-based in vitro solutions.