Eric Zijlstra, PhD
Profil, Neuss, Germany

With a background in Biomedical Engineering (Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands),  Eric Zijlstra started his career in the field of diabetes as a postgraduate researcher at the University of Birmingham (UK) in collaboration with AstraZeneca (Alderley Park, UK). Whilst at AstraZeneca Eric established stable isotope glucose tracer and indirect calorimetry methods in animal models of diabetes, and used these methods to conduct pre-clinical research on novel glucokinase activators.

In 2008 Eric joined Profil and has since worked on more than 80 clinical trials, investigating a large variety of diabetes drugs and medical devices in development. On the drug side, his main interest lies with novel insulin formulations, from faster-acting to ultra long-acting and their oral, inhaled and intradermal administrations. On the device side, blood glucose monitoring and insulin application devices are of special interest.

Eric is currently a research scientist and expert in the field of diabetes technology, alternative route administrations of insulin and glucose clamp studies. In his current role as Director Project Development / Medical Technology at Profil he leads a team of scientific consultants, oversees clinical trial design preparations and supports the dissemination of trial results at international diabetes conferences and scientific journals.