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GLP-1 Pioneer Prof. Jens Juul Holst Joins Tema ETFs As A Scientific Advisor

Tema - Press release
By Tema - Press release
May 16, 2024

Tema ETFs (“Tema”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Jens Juul Holst, MD, DMSc, to its Scientific Advisory Board, effective immediately.

Prof. Jens Juul Holst has dedicated his career to transformative life sciences research, notably in the realm of obesity and type 2 diabetes. His pivotal discoveries, including the GLP-1 hormone, have paved the way for groundbreaking advancements in treating millions of people affected by diabetes and obesity. His pioneering work has enabled the development of revolutionary drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound, which have not only redefined diabetes and obesity treatment but have also demonstrated significant benefits to related conditions, including heart, kidney, liver disease.

“We are honored to welcome Professor Juul Holst to our Scientific Advisory Board.” said Maurits Pot, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Tema. “His groundbreaking research has pioneered innovative treatment for obesity and diabetes, helping millions of patients. It is this kind of deep scientific expertise that is core to Tema’s differentiated approach to life science investing. We look forward to working with Professor Juul Holst to build our leadership in breakthrough life sciences investing through our GLP-1, Obesity & Cardiometabolic ETF (HRTS).”

About the Tema GLP-1, Obesity & Cardiometabolic ETF (HRTS)

HRTS is the first ETF seeking to provide long-term growth by investing in companies that lead the fight against obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The HRTS strategy is managed by David K. Song, MD, PhD, CFA, who has led biotechnology and healthcare investment teams throughout his extensive 25-year career, including roles at Rockefeller Capital Management, Millennium and Balyasny.

Jens Juul Holst, MD, DMSc

Jens Juul Holst, MD, DMSc, is professor of Medical Physiology in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, where he is also the vice-chairman.

Since 2006 he has been director of the Research Cluster for Diabetes and Obesity at the Faculty, and, since 2010, Scientific Director at section for Translational Metabolic Physiology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research. Prof. Juul Holst received his medical degree from the University of Copenhagen in 1970 and the Doctor of Medical Sciences degree in 1978.

His scientific work has been focused on the regulatory peptides of the pancreas and the gut and their importance in the regulation of the functions of the GI-tract and metabolism, with particular focus on blood glucose and appetite regulation, obesity and diabetes. A particular emphasis has been on the role of the incretin hormones of the gut (GLP-1 and GIP).

Prof. Juul Holst's scientific achievements include the discovery of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) as the gut hormone being responsible for the glucose-induced gastrointestinal stimulation of insulin secretion and his subsequent both basic and translational research in this field.

He is a member of several distinguished academic organizations, including the Danish Academy for Natural Sciences and the Royal Danish Academy of Science and Letters, and has been the recipient of the Anders Jahre Award for Medical Research, the Odd Fellow Award for Medical Research the Paul Langerhans Medal of the German Diabetes Association, the Claude Bernard Award of the European Society for the Study of Diabetes, the American Diabetes Association Banting Medal for Scientific Achievement, the Canada Gairdner International Award, and the VinFuture Prize.