Former President, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, German Federal Institute for Vaccine and Biomedicines
Apl. (adjunct) Professor of Biochemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Germany

As an experimental researcher Klaus Cichutek has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed scientific publications indexed in PubMed on

· cell targeting retroviral vectors,

· the oncogenicity of acutely oncogenic murine retroviruses and

· the development of HIV-1 swarms in patients infected by single viral clones and

· characteristics of the apathogenic SIVagm infection of African green monkeys.

As President of the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) (2009–2023), Prof. Dr. Klaus Cichutek expanded PEI´s leadership in providing scientific advices and assessments of clinical trial and marketing authorisation applications, e.g. for the CHMP, CVMP, PRAC and CAT of the European Medicines agency (EMA), by

· introducing new advisory formats,

· achieving the re-designation of the WHO Collaborating Center for Blood Products and In -vitro diagnostic devices and the designation of the WHO Collaborating Center for Vaccines,

· initiating of the 2024 designation of an EU Reference Laboratory in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs) for high-risk infection (class D) tests, and

· establishing of the Center for Pandemic Vaccines and Therapeutics (ZEPAI) at the PEI.

As a founding member and Product Development of Vaccines Unit (PDU) co-coordinator of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and associate of the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), and in his international leadership roles he has shaped the biomedical research and development landscape. Klaus Cichutek was

· chair of Germany´s Commission for Somatic Gene Therapy (2000-2010),

· chair of EMA’s Gene Therapy Working Party (2003–2010) and

· co-chair of the ICH Discussion Group on Cell and Gene Therapy (2004-2010),

· chair of the Heads of Medicines Agencies´ Management Group (2014–2018),

· board member of the European Society for Cell and Gene Therapy ESGCT(2005-2010) and

· board member of the WG of German Ministry-Affiliated Research Institutions (2010-2023).

Klaus Cichutek continues to serve as

- co-chair of the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization (ECBS) (2016–present),

- founding member of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) (2008-present) and the European Vaccine Hub EVH (2026-present)

- member of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Scientific Advisory Board (2026-present),

- co-chair of ESGCT´s Regulatory Committee,

- member of the Scientific Council of the Paul Ehrlich Foundation.

In 2024, Klaus Cichutek was awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit, First Class, for his services.