Jesper Langgaard Kristensen

Jesper Langgaard Kristensen is a Professor in Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on developing new methodologies for constructing compound classes relevant to medicinal chemistry and creating probes to elucidate mechanisms regulating pharmacological targets including ion channels, enzymes, and GPCRs.

Education:

• Cand. Pharm. (1998), including 6 months research with Prof. Dieter Hoppe in Münster
• Ph.D. from Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2001), including 6 months research with Prof. Barry Trost at Stanford University

Professor Kristensen's research spans medicinal chemistry, neuroscience, and imaging, with a particular focus on serotonin receptors, especially the 5-HT2A receptor. His work bridges chemical synthesis with pharmacological characterization to develop novel compounds with therapeutic potential, particularly in the areas of psychedelic medicine and neurodegenerative disorders. He has made significant contributions to understanding structure-activity relationships of serotonergic compounds and their potential as therapeutic agents.

His publication record shows a strong trend toward developing selective serotonin receptor agonists, particularly targeting the 5-HT2A receptor for potential applications in depression treatment. Recent work also explores imaging technologies for neurological disorders, reflecting his dual expertise in medicinal chemistry and diagnostic applications. His research often involves interdisciplinary collaboration across chemistry, pharmacology, and neuroscience.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Member of Horizon2020 "Click-It" consortium (6 million Euro, 2015-2020)
• Member of Marie Curie ETN "AlphaSy" consortium (4.1 million Euro, 2018-2022)
• Coordinator of ETN-EID project SAFER (1.3 million Euro, 2017-2021)

Professor Kristensen has secured significant research funding through competitive European grants and collaborates extensively with international research teams. His research group actively mentors students and researchers, contributing to the next generation of medicinal chemists. He also serves as CSO and founder of Lophora (www.lophora.com), translating academic research into commercial applications.

The Kristensen Group at the University of Copenhagen operates at the intersection of chemical synthesis and pharmacological evaluation, with facilities for organic synthesis, molecular modeling, and biological testing. The group participates in several international consortia focused on developing novel therapeutic and diagnostic approaches for neurological and psychiatric conditions.