Dutch entrepreneur’s transition from high-frequency trading to regenerative medicine exemplifies the convergence of finance expertise and healthcare innovation
The path from Amsterdam’s trading floors to the cutting edge of regenerative medicine might seem unlikely, but for Diederik van der Reijt, it represents a natural evolution of his entrepreneurial vision. As founder and CEO of Celljevity, van der Reijt has leveraged decades of financial expertise and team-building experience to tackle one of medicine’s greatest challenges: reversing cellular aging and treating degenerative diseases.
Van der Reijt’s journey began on the Amsterdam Options Exchange, where he worked as a trader before founding Kokomo Capital, a high-frequency trading firm that grew to employ 85 professionals across offices in Sydney, Hong Kong, New York, and San Francisco. At its peak, the firm achieved eight-figure revenues and employed a team that was 50% PhD-level experts – an experience that would prove invaluable in his later biotech ventures.
The Pivot to Healthcare Innovation
After successfully exiting Kokomo Capital a decade ago, van der Reijt turned his attention to portfolio investments, particularly in technology and biotech. His first major foray into healthcare came with NKore Biotherapeutics in 2019, a UCLA spinout specializing in natural killer cell therapies for cancer treatment.
The transition from finance to biotech wasn’t merely opportunistic – it reflected van der Reijt’s growing belief that genuine healthcare breakthroughs required a fundamental paradigm shift. “For over 80 years, we’ve been sold band-aid solutions and toxic therapies that fail to address the root causes of disease,” he explains. “It’s time for natural and holistic therapies that strengthen the immune system and truly restore health.”
This philosophy would become the foundation for Celljevity’s revolutionary approach to regenerative medicine, combining ancient holistic wisdom with cutting-edge science.
The UCLA Connection and Dr. Sun Partnership
Van der Reijt’s collaboration with Dr. Yi Eve Sun, a renowned UCLA professor and stem cell research pioneer, has proven transformative for both scientists and patients. Dr. Sun, who holds over 100 publications in top-tier journals including Cell, Nature, and Science, brings unparalleled expertise in epigenetic reprogramming and telomere biology.
“Dr. Sun is a visionary with the extraordinary ability to unite global collaborators from top universities across the U.S., Europe, Japan, and China,” van der Reijt observes. Their partnership represents more than scientific collaboration – it embodies a fusion of Eastern and Western medical philosophies that has yielded breakthrough results.
The duo’s work has led to the development of Prometheus Cell therapy, a revolutionary treatment that reprograms a patient’s own skin cells to restore youthful cellular function without genetic modification. This approach addresses the root causes of aging and disease rather than merely managing symptoms.
Clinical Breakthroughs and Patient Impact
Under van der Reijt’s leadership, Celljevity has achieved remarkable clinical results across multiple conditions. The company’s autologous fibroblast therapy has demonstrated efficacy in treating ALS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune disorders, and osteoarthritis.
One standout case involves an ALS patient whose biological age, measured through telomere analysis, remained stable at 35-38 years despite being chronologically 44. This remarkable preservation of cellular youth translated to significantly improved quality of life and functional capacity.
In autoimmune disease studies, over 90% of patients experienced symptomatic relief, with measurable improvements in inflammatory biomarkers. Perhaps most importantly, the therapy has achieved these results with zero serious adverse events across all clinical studies – a safety profile that sets it apart from many existing treatments.
Strategic Global Expansion
Van der Reijt’s business acumen shines through Celljevity’s strategic approach to global expansion. The company’s decision to conduct clinical trials in Kazakhstan exemplifies this strategy, leveraging the country’s digitized healthcare system and cost-effective infrastructure to accelerate development timelines.
“In Kazakhstan, we can conduct trials for all four indications for just $2 million, compared to $60 million in the U.S., with a timeline of only six months versus over two years,” van der Reijt explains. This approach enables rapid validation while maintaining rigorous scientific standards.
The company has also established manufacturing partnerships in Shanghai and plans flagship clinics in Switzerland, Dubai, and Miami. This global infrastructure reflects van der Reijt’s vision of making breakthrough cellular therapies accessible worldwide rather than limiting them to affluent markets.
A Mission Beyond Profit
What distinguishes van der Reijt’s approach to biotech entrepreneurship is his commitment to healthcare equity. Personal experiences with friends facing life-threatening illnesses have shaped his conviction that innovative therapies should serve humanity rather than just generating returns.
“This therapy shouldn’t just be for the wealthy – it needs to be accessible to everyone,” he emphasizes. Celljevity has committed to providing its intellectual property at minimal or no cost to underserved regions, a philanthropic approach rarely seen in the biotech industry.
This humanitarian focus extends to the company’s planned NASDAQ listing, which van der Reijt views not merely as a capital-raising exercise but as a means to democratize access to cutting-edge healthcare. “Retail investors should have early access to a story this beautiful – a revolution in healthcare and longevity,” he notes.
Building World-Class Teams
Van der Reijt’s experience managing diverse, highly skilled teams at Kokomo Capital has proven invaluable in building Celljevity’s scientific organization. The company’s leadership includes Jamie Grooms, founder of AxoGen and RTI Surgical; Georg Nebgen, a specialist in biotech venture capital; and Nobel Laureate Dr. Thomas Südhof as a scientific advisor.
“I have always tried to surround myself with people that are a lot smarter than myself and specially add skills that I do not have,” van der Reijt reflects. “It’s good to be challenged – it’s the only way to learn.”
This philosophy has enabled Celljevity to assemble a world-class team spanning regulatory affairs, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization – all essential elements for successfully bringing revolutionary therapies to market.
The Future of Regenerative Medicine
As Celljevity prepares for its next growth phase, van der Reijt’s vision extends far beyond current achievements. The company aims to become the global leader in regenerative medicine, with treatment centers in major markets worldwide and the capacity to serve 50,000+ patients annually.
The potential impact transcends individual patient outcomes. By demonstrating that cellular aging can be reversed safely and effectively, Celljevity is challenging fundamental assumptions about human longevity and the inevitability of age-related decline.
“If you believe in empowering the immune system, if you believe in medical innovation that truly serves humanity, then Celljevity is where you can make that belief a reality,” van der Reijt concludes. “Opportunities like this are rare, and the impact can be enormous.”
From the fast-paced world of financial trading to the complex landscape of regenerative medicine, van der Reijt’s journey with Celljevity represents more than a career transition – it embodies a fundamental belief that breakthrough innovations can and should transform human health for the better, regardless of geographic or economic barriers.