Meet Scientist Jonas Sävmarker on being curious and innovating for patients
July 4, 2024
As a research scientist at Orexo, Jonas spends his days solving complex problems, either in the labs or, increasingly, outside them. In this interview, Jonas explains more about his role and why, as he describes it, it takes him “everywhere and nowhere”.
Jonas SävmarkerEducation: RPh, PhD in Organic Chemistry Career: Supervising PhD and post-grad students; own business and consultancy Outside work: I enjoy walks in the forest with the family’s most recent member, our puppy Milo. |
Hi Jonas, what does being the Senior Principal Scientist involve?
My role is to work with the wider research and development (R&D) team to create innovative treatments for patients at the Uppsala-based labs at our headquarters in Sweden. I also attend conferences worldwide, alongside our business development colleagues, to answer technical questions.
How would you describe what it’s like working at Orexo?
We’re a small company with a highly skilled, dedicated R&D team. We can do great things because everyone works really hard and supports one another. You’re never on your own. At Orexo, I’m surrounded by energy. It’s inspiring to be around people who are so committed and talented.
We’re a small company with a highly skilled, dedicated R&D team. We can do great things because everyone works really hard and supports one another.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I’m a naturally curious person. I appreciate the variety of my role and enjoy the opportunities to grow and develop myself. I just take things on and do them. I like having a short time to learn something new. It gives me an intense focus and personal challenge.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on at Orexo?
When I joined Orexo, my goal was to develop a nasal naloxone product for patients experiencing an opioid overdose. It was much harder than I expected, but I’m proud to say that I took the initial steps in the creation of AmorphOX®, our world-class drug delivery technology. It’s the backbone of OX124, our nasal, high-dose rescue medication. The whole team have made AmorphOX into what it is today: An incredibly versatile technology platform.
We’re now able to run experiments using AmorphOX, including with large molecules. There’s so much potential for different uses across diverse therapeutic areas.
How do the next twelve months look for you?
My main focus is to continue researching all the possibilities that AmorphOX offers for patients, even outside our core area of opioid use disorder. The technology platform can be used for lots of different things, not just addictions. We’re exploring vaccines, and we’ve developed OX640, a powder-based epinephrine (adrenaline) product that has the potential to reach global markets.
My main focus is to continue researching all the possibilities that AmorphOX offers for patients, even outside our core area of opioid use disorder.
