About us
Driven by Science. Inspired by Impact.
Mercurna is on a mission to transform treatment possibilities across immune health and beyond.
Mercurna is a Nijmegen-based biotech company pioneering messenger RNA (mRNA)-based medicines. Our proprietary platform combines unique cell-targeting ligands with advanced delivery systems for oligonucleotides, enabling therapeutic mRNA to reach diseased tissues with exceptional precision and efficiency. This approach is aimed at maximizing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects, setting a new standard for safety in mRNA therapeutics.
Founded in 2017, Mercurna was built on a bold vision: to create life-changing medicines—therapies that offer a cure where none exists or dramatically improve quality of life when a cure is not possible.
Despite remarkable progress in medicine, many conditions remain unmet, particularly those driven by immune system dysregulation. Recognizing shared pathological mechanisms across these diseases, we developed a modular nanomedicine platform that can be adapted to address a wide range of immune-mediated disorders.
We strive to translate our technology into breakthrough treatments that redefine possibilities for patients across the globe.
Our strategy integrates three key innovations:
-
Read more
- Efficient delivery systems: Optimized for stability, efficient encapsulation of therapeutic mRNA, and reduced off-targeting
- Cell-Specific targeting ligands: Innovative molecules that guide delivery vehicles to the cells driving inflammation and disease progression.
- Therapeutic mRNA payloads: Designed to modulate immune responses or restore protein function in immune-mediated disorders.
Meet the team
Our Team
Jenny van Asbeck is the CEO of Mercurna, combining over 15 years of experience in life sciences with strong leadership and business expertise. She is passionate about translating innovative science into impactful therapies for patients with high unmet medical needs. Before joining Mercurna, Jenny served as an assistant professor at the Radboudumc and worked at world-class international institutes, contributing to cutting-edge technological innovation. Her experience spans fundraising, securing multiple competitive grants, and guiding teams to foster collaboration and drive organizational growth. Jenny holds a PhD from Radboud University, and an MBA from Maastricht University, The Netherlands. 
Jenny van Asbeck-van der PhD, MBA
CEO / Co-founder
Jürgen Dieker is co-founder and CSO of Mercurna, where he leads all R&D programs with a focus on nanoparticle technologies and preclinical development. With more than 20 years of experience in immunology and nanomedicine, he ensures scientific excellence across Mercurna’s pipeline while driving innovation in targeted mRNA delivery. He is also the co-founder of RIBOPRO, a pioneering technology provider specializing in RNA and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technologies, highlighting his deep expertise in RNA delivery systems. Jürgen earned his PhD from Radboud University and completed postdoctoral research at IBMC-CNRS in Strasbourg, France. 
Jürgen Dieker, PhD, MBA
CSO / Co-founder
Flavien Bizot, PhD, PharmD
Preclinical Development
Ananya Singh, MSc
Drug Discovery Research
Our advisors
More about our Advisors
-
Johan vd Vlag, PhD
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Id iure eius eum molestias consequatur ex impedit excepturi et deleniti autem At cumque molestiae quo corporis sunt non quidem quos? Qui quam aperiam est tenetur numquam ut perspiciatis repellat vel aperiam dignissimos qui numquam nesciunt. opening new treatment possibilities for diseases where conventional therapies fall short.
-
Gerjan Kemperman, PhD
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Id iure eius eum molestias consequatur ex impedit excepturi et deleniti autem At cumque molestiae quo corporis sunt non quidem quos? Qui quam aperiam est tenetur numquam ut perspiciatis repellat vel aperiam dignissimos qui numquam nesciunt. opening new treatment possibilities for diseases where conventional therapies fall short.
More about our Founders
-
Sander van Asbeck, MSc
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Id iure eius eum molestias consequatur ex impedit excepturi et deleniti autem At cumque molestiae quo corporis sunt non quidem quos? Qui quam aperiam est tenetur numquam ut perspiciatis repellat vel aperiam dignissimos qui numquam nesciunt.
-
Roland Brock, PhD
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Id iure eius eum molestias consequatur ex impedit excepturi et deleniti autem At cumque molestiae quo corporis sunt non quidem quos? Qui quam aperiam est tenetur numquam ut perspiciatis repellat vel aperiam dignissimos qui numquam nesciunt.