Code of Conduct
Our Code of Conduct
What we do
VERAXA is a biopharmaceutical company devoted to developing and introduce innovative antibody-based therapeutics to fight cancer.
Our Vision
VERAXA Biotech strives to become a leading key agent for superior antibody-based cancer therapeutics using transformative innovations
Our Mission
VERAXA Biotech is using transformative innovations to develop therapeutic programs that show superior efficacy and less side effects for cancer patients. The company's core activities focus on the development of therapeutic programs based on new antibody formats that use a more specific mode of action to treat cancer patients.
Our principles and values
Our principles
We will make every effort to create innovative life science technologies and make them available for patients. We believe that all human beings should be treated with dignity and respect and everybody deserves health and wellbeing.
Our values
Together we are strong
Our expectations
We offer a safe and inclusive working environment that allows our people to work efficiently and effectively. In return we have high expectations of our employees, project companies and business partners, in terms of ethical practices as well as their work quality and effort.
We treat our people fairly and with respect
Our people are vital to our success, and we value them. As a minimum, we comply with applicable employment laws in the jurisdictions where we work (working hours, holiday requirements, etc.) and often go beyond.
Working responsibly and ethically
Everyone at VERAXA Biotech works together to safeguard the interests of all our stakeholders with our know-how, reliability and efficiency.
Teamwork makes the dream work
We provide a safe working environment that respects human rights, labor-laws, and health and safety regulations, taking local legal requirements as the minimum standard. Our work culture is open and honest. We champion the use of interdisciplinary teams that can assess business challenges from a range of perspectives, resulting in optimal, innovative solutions.
Looking out for each other
Everyone at VERAXA Biotech follows our Code of Conduct and takes responsibility for their own and their colleagues’ actions and their wellbeing. We treat each other fairly and with respect and communicate openly.
Help us become stronger every day
- Exchange ideas with your colleagues whenever you can.
- If you see a way to make things work better, share your ideas.
- When your colleagues have offered support, it’s important to acknowledge it.
What we stand for
Our Code of Conduct is based on the VERAXA Biotech principles and values.
Who it applies to
Our Code of Conduct applies across our entire business, including all employees and directors, as well as employees of all subsidiaries. We also encourage our business partners to share our commitment to this Code; this may include consultants, research partners and suppliers.
No exceptions
Everyone who works for VERAXA Biotech must respect our principles and values, both in theory and in practice. Our Code of Conduct applies to all, regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, political belief, or any other personal characteristic.
Our business partners
We expect our partners to share our commitment to ethical and responsible business practices. We encourage them to adopt this Code of Conduct, using any adaptations or additions necessary for their specific operations and business sector.
Supporting innovation
This Code of Conduct was developed with the intention of promoting and fostering innovation at every stage of our work.
Consequences
We take breaches of our Code of Conduct very seriously and will respond with appropriate disciplinary action. If you witness a breach, or suspect one may betaking place, raise your concerns with our CEO (Christoph Antz), CBO (Heinz Schwer) or our CFO (Torsten Buergermeister).
Individuality matters
We work with integrity
In all our day-to-day activities, we and our project companies always behave ethically and with integrity.
No discrimination
We strive to create an inclusive and supportive work environment for all. We value and honor the unique experiences, perspectives and cultural backgrounds that all our employees bring to the table. We will not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind, whether based on race, nationality, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, political belief or any other personal characteristic.
We’re committed to our people
We will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises questions or concerns, or who reports violations of the Code or unethical conduct in good faith. We investigate all allegations of misconduct, including violations ofthis Code, and will take appropriate disciplinary and remedial action, up to and including termination of employment.
Wellbeing
We prioritize and support the health and wellbeing of all our people.
„We are a company that is fully committed to improving current treatment options for suffering patients. Not only through our research, but through our daily business practices and everything we do.“
Dr. Christoph Antz, CEO
Fair play
Respect and responsibility
We respect and value our business partners and the regulatory authorities we comply with; we maintain healthy, open working relationships with both. We value respectful, long-term partnerships.
Raising concerns
As a minimum, we comply with all regulations, rules and laws that are applicable in the jurisdictions where we work. If you suspect a breach of the law, any applicable regulations, or our Code of Conduct, contact your supervisor or a member of the management team in the first instance.
Conflicts of interest
We must all avoid any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest, as even the appearance of such a conflict could be damaging. These might include accepting gifts or entertainment; working with external companies; owning, being a director of, or having personal relations with a competitor or partner; working with relatives or loved ones.
Acting with integrity
We can avoid the appearance of any conflict of interest by being committed to ethical, transparent business practice. Nobody at VERAXA Biotech may use their position to benefit themselves or others, whether directly or indirectly. Our working behavior and decisions must be based on the best interests of VERAXA Biotech.
If something doesn’t feel right… follow your instincts! If you prefer not to tell your supervisor, contact our CEO or CFO directly.
Sustainability
Keep it Green
Working sustainably and responsibly is an integral part of every aspect of VERAXA Biotech and our project companies.
Protecting people
We always put our patients’ health and interests first.
Working with compassion
We prioritize keeping our environmental footprint as small as possible and minimizing our impact on the local ecology. We avoid testing on animals when we can, although sometimes this is unavoidable.
Creating value
We balance our business objectives with the wellbeing of our people and the communities where our employees live and work. The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
We chose 7 Goals to focus on:
Scientific integrity
Out of core
Humanity, collaboration, innovation and passion are the cornerstones for our scientific activities.
Transparency
We work with our partners to design and detail the scientific studies we plan to conduct transparently and comprehensibly.
Working for the good for all
Public health and the public good is our top priority. We work safely, securely, openly and with accountability at all times. We put our patients’ interests and needs above all when conducting any research.
Zero tolerance for misconduct
We investigate any suspicion of scientific misconduct immediately, whether at VERAXA Biotech or any of our business partners.
„This is our core business and our heart: we won’t compromise on it. We work with the best and most promising partners to improve healthcare for all.“
Dealing with data
Honesty
We’re transparent and truthful in all communications with our stakeholders.
Confidentiality
We treat confidential information with appropriate care. This includes all non-public information, including trade secrets, business data, guidelines, marketing, customer or supplier information, records, and all unpublished financial or other data, including in particular data relating to our research and development projects. Unless required by law or approved by our Management Team, employees shall not disclose or permit the disclosure of confidential information to any third party.
Data privacy
We handle personal data with great care. We comply fully with all data protection regulations and legislation, in particular the European Union‘sGeneral Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you have any questions or concerns about data protection activities at VERAXA Biotech, contact Christoph Antz or Torsten Buergermeister.
Data security
We have appropriate safeguards in place to protect intellectual property, contracts and other confidential agreements, and personal data of any kind. We use our information systems, applications and equipment responsibly, and protect our accounts, passwords and other systems access channels.
Fraud
We comply with the disclosure requirements given by our Board of Directors. We do not tolerate insider trading by our employees.
Staying secure – always ask yourself:
- When sharing any information in any format: is this already publicly available? If so, it’s OK to share it.
- When speaking on the phone: is this a confidential topic that’s not intended for the public? If so, don’t share it.
- When working in public: is my screen visible to others? If so, please stop, or move.
If you suspect a breach of the law, any applicable regulations, or our Code of Conduct, contact your supervisor or a member of the management team in the first instance.
About this Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct was first adopted by the Board of Directors on 15.01.2024. Its content will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary. Our CFO is responsible for its content: please direct any suggestions or feedback to him.