Achim Klöpfer
Managing Director And Head Manufacturing Science & Technology
2583 VG Den Haag
Summary
Accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) across diverse roles, including Department Head of MSAT for biologics and Head of Manufacturing for sterile production. Expertise developed at leading organizations such as CureVac, Novartis, and IDT Biologika, with a proven track record in building high-performing teams that foster collaboration and drive results. Notable achievements include establishing the MSAT Department at CureVac, remediating a significant qualification project for commercial equipment, and contributing to two pandemic response initiatives. Currently serves as Managing Director for CureVac's Dutch affiliate and Head of Manufacturing Science & Technology for CureVac Germany, complemented by PMP certification from PMI and experience as a Compliance Officer at Novartis.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
4
4
Languages
Work History
Head Manufacturing Science & Technology
CureVac
04.2022 - Current
- Establish and build-up CureVac's MSAT Department.
- Assume overall responsibility for Tech Transfer, Qualification, Validation, Product Stewardship, Pilot Plant.
- Integrate the new organizational part into CureVac's established structure and ensure smooth tech transfer, robust manufacturing processes, profound root cause investigations, qualified equipment and validated processes.
- I was appointed Managing Director for CureVac Netherlands B.V. as an additional responsibility by June 2024
Group Lead Life Cycle Management Drug Product
CureVac
06.2020 - 03.2022
- Form and lead a team of experts with product knowledge and process understanding on manufacturing of Lipid Nano Particles and fill-&-finish processes.
- Transfer products into the GMP-manufacturing environment (internal transfers and transfers to CMOs).
- During the Corona Pandemic I served as member of the core team responsible for establishing a European GMP-manufacturing network. I directed the establishment of fill-&-finish processes at CMOs, which were tailor-made to the needs of our products (vaccine and diluent).
- Management of several external contractors who supported CureVac in the Corona Pandemic activities.
Head PMO and Site MS&T Lead
Aeropharm/ Novartis Technical Operations
07.2018 - 06.2020
- Lead the local MS&T team overseeing the product and process performance of the inhalation products manufactured there. The team consisted of 5 experts (Product and Technical Stewards, Validation and Transfer Managers).
- Coach managers in the execution of local improvement projects (robustness, OEE, life cycle management).
- Communicate with and report to global Novartis MS&T Leadership Team.
- Lead and/or oversee strategic, international projects on inhalation products. Coordinate the support for the product launches.
- Improve and strengthen project governance processes and structures.
Transfer Manager and Project Team Leader
Aeropharm/ Novartis Technical Operations
07.2013 - 06.2018
- Transfer manufacturing processes from development to commercial manufacture for sterile liquids and inhalation combination products.
- Coordinate the transfer team and be the main contact for the site management team.
- Plan site readiness activities for commercial manufacture; identify and involve relevant departments; drive the process and manage meetings, actions, decisions, budget.
- Lead and moderate international calls, meetings and workshops; report project progress to site and global management.
Head Production
Aeropharm/ Novartis Technical Operations
08.2010 - 06.2013
- Develop the manufacturing team to meet the company's requirements on GMP and product delivery (on-time in full).
- Lead a team of 22 members in 3 shift mode; report directly to the Site Head.
- Represent the department in GMP-audits (Health Authorities, Novartis Global QA, international customers).
- Ensure GMP compliance with respect to e.g. qualification, validation, maintenance, media simulations, training of staff.
Project Manager
IDT Biologika
02.2006 - 07.2010
- Be the first contact person for national and international customers.
- Transfer their sterile products (liquids & lyophilizates) to IDT Biologika.
- Organize and coordinate e.g. feasibility assessment, test batches, quality control testing, stability studies.
- Set up development & transfer plans, quotations, project plans, study protocols as well as relevant GMP documents.
- Present the company, its knowledge and its capabilities on trade fairs.
Lab Assistant
Nestlé
07.1990 - 09.1991
- Ensured accurate test results with proper use of lab equipment and adherence to protocols.
- Prepared specimens for testing and analysis.
- Quality control testing of final product, intermediates and raw materials
Education
PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) - Environmental Engineering
Technical University of Berlin
Germany09.2005
Diploma - Food Chemistry
Technical University of Berlin
Germany08.2000
State-Certified - Food Chemistry
Universities of Karlsruhe and University of Dresden
Germany11.1998
High School Degree - undefined
Technische Oberschule
Singen, Germany07.1994
Military Service
German Military
09.1992
Apprenticeship - Lab Assistant
Nestlé/ Maggi
Singen, Germany07.1990
Skills
Results-driven problem solver
Leadership-oriented team member
Cross-functional integration
Strong communication skills
Experience as Compliance Officer
Extra Curricular Activities
02/1998 – 04/1998 Internship at the Research & Development Center of Nestlé in Kemptthal/Suisse. Topic: Analysis of cystein in flavour intermediates. 03/1997 – 11/1998 Assistant at the Department of Water Chemistry at the University of Karlsruhe. Topic: Analysis of metals in water samples by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. 04/1997 – 02/1998 Assistant in courses for students in Chemical Engineering (University of Karlsruhe. Role: Supervise students in their practical lab courses. 2016 - 2020 Chairman of the support association (Förderverein) for the local primary school. 1992 – 1994 Chairman of the Boy Scout Association in my home town. 1987 – 1994 Boy Scout group lead for 10-12 year old scouts. 02/1998 – 04/1998 Internship at the Research & Development Center of Nestlé in Kemptthal/Suisse. Topic: Analysis of cystein in flavour intermediates. 03/1997 – 11/1998 Assistant at the Department of Water Chemistry at the University of Karlsruhe. Topic: Analysis of metals in water samples by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. 04/1997 – 02/1998 Assistant in courses for students in Chemical Engineering (University of Karlsruhe. Role: Supervise students in their practical lab courses. 2016 - 2020 Chairman of the support association (Förderverein) for the local primary school. 1992 – 1994 Chairman of the Boy Scout Association in my home town. 1987 – 1994 Boy Scout group lead for 10-12 year old scouts.
Additional Information
As a boy I was a boy scout and later become group lead for scouts 10-12 years of age. From 1992 – 1994 I served as chairman of the Boy Scout Association in my home town.
Certification
Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI.
Interests
sports, traveling, mountaineering, reading biographies, cultures and languages
Timeline
Head Manufacturing Science & Technology
CureVac
04.2022 - Current
Group Lead Life Cycle Management Drug Product
CureVac
06.2020 - 03.2022
Head PMO and Site MS&T Lead
Aeropharm/ Novartis Technical Operations
07.2018 - 06.2020
Transfer Manager and Project Team Leader
Aeropharm/ Novartis Technical Operations
07.2013 - 06.2018
Head Production
Aeropharm/ Novartis Technical Operations
08.2010 - 06.2013
Project Manager
IDT Biologika
02.2006 - 07.2010
Lab Assistant
Nestlé
07.1990 - 09.1991
Diploma - Food Chemistry
Technical University of Berlin
State-Certified - Food Chemistry
Universities of Karlsruhe and University of Dresden
High School Degree - undefined
Technische Oberschule
PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) - Environmental Engineering
Technical University of Berlin
Military Service
German Military
Apprenticeship - Lab Assistant
Nestlé/ Maggi
Disclaimer
Signed Achim Klöpfer Den Haag, 22 March 2026