Dr. Alexander Simonis is a clinician-scientist specializing in infectious diseases, with a particular focus on developing novel immunotherapeutic approaches to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens. Since 2023, he has been a specialist in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Oncology at the Department I of Internal Medicine at the University Hospital Cologne. He leads a BMBF-funded Junior Research Group in Infectious Diseases at the same department. Also in 2023, he joined the Junior Research Group Program at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), where his laboratories are located. Since 2022, he has been participating in the CMMC’s Career Advancement Program (CAP), supporting his career development.

Academic & Research Career

In 2017, Alexander Simonis received his MD with summa cum laude from the University of Würzburg, where he investigated the functional relevance of acid sphingomyelinase in the pathogenesis of Neisseria meningitidis under the supervision of Professor Alexandra Schubert-Unkmeir. His thesis was recognized for its excellence. 
From 2016 to 2018, he trained as a resident physician in Medical Oncology and Hematology at the University Hospital Zürich, gaining experience in both clinical and research settings. During this period, he worked in the Experimental Hematology Lab at the University of Zürich and University Hospital Zürich, conducting research on hematological malignancies under Professor Markus Manz.
In 2019, Simonis joined Department I of Internal Medicine at the University Hospital Cologne as a resident physician. Between 2019 and 2022, he conducted research in the Translational Research Unit – Infectious Diseases (TRU-ID) at the University Hospital Cologne under the mentorship of Professor Jan Rybniker, focusing on bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic drug discovery.
Alexander Simonis’s research centers on understanding host-pathogen interactions, particularly the human immune response to bacterial infections and the interplay between bacterial virulence factors and host immunity. His work aims to develop innovative immunotherapies that enhance host defenses and directly target bacterial pathogens.
One of his notable contributions is the development of patient-derived monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the PcrV protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium known for high levels of antibiotic resistance, often leading to severe infections in critically ill and immunocompromised patients. The PcrV protein is a key component of the type III secretion system (T3SS), a major virulence factor contributing to bacterial persistence and increased mortality.

Research Contributions & Selected Publications

Simonis and his team successfully isolated highly potent anti-PcrV mAbs from patients chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, demonstrating broad activity against drug-resistant strains. These antibodies showed efficacy comparable to conventional antibiotics in preclinical models, paving the way for novel treatment strategies. Beyond P. aeruginosa, his research aims to expand this antibody-based approach to other bacterial pathogens commonly associated with antimicrobial resistance. By establishing a comprehensive platform for developing mAbs targeting various bacterial virulence factors, his work holds great promise for innovative therapeutic strategies against multidrug-resistant infections.

Alexander Simonis’s groundbreaking findings have been published in leading scientific journals, including:

• "Discovery of highly neutralizing human antibodies targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa" (Cell, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.10.002) – A study identifying potent human antibodies against P. aeruginosa, highlighting their potential for therapeutic use.

For a complete list of publications, visit his PubMed page.

Scientific Recognition & Awards

In 2025, Alexander Simonis and Jan Rybniker jointly received €1.7 million from the German Center for Infectious Research as well €1.5 million from the Else-Kröner-Fresenius Stiftung for the further clinical development of anti-PcrV mAbs. In 2024, Simonis was honored with the Walter-Siegenthaler Silver Medal for his research and secured funding from the German Research Council (DFG).
In 2023, Simonis received funding from the Moritz-Stiftung, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, in acknowledgment of his promising research endeavors. That same year, he was appointed leader of an Associated Junior Research Group at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), where he continues advancing his studies on host-pathogen interactions. Since 2022, he has headed a BMBF-funded Junior Research Group in Infectious Diseases, which received approximately €1.8 million over five years to develop novel antibody-based immunotherapies targeting severe bacterial infections. His work has also been supported by the Career Advancement Program (CAP) at the Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, a program designed to foster promising clinician-scientists.
From 2020 to 2023, Simonis participated in the Cologne Clinician Scientist Program (CCSP), further integrating his clinical and research expertise. His earlier career achievements include funding from Köln Fortune (2020) and the Dr. Josef-Schneider, Theresia Stiftung Award from the University of Würzburg (2018). Additionally, he was awarded a fellowship from the Hanne-Liebermann-Stiftung in Zürich (2017–2018) and received a doctoral scholarship from the University of Würzburg (2012–2013) in recognition of his exceptional academic performance.