On June 16, the startup Ovo Labs, was awarded the Max Planck Startup Award of the Stifterverband 2026.The prize, endowed with 30,000 euros, was awarded to Ovo Labs founders Melina Schuh, Agata Zielinska, and Oleksandr Yagensky (DUAG member) on 16 June 2026 in Frankfurt at the Max Plank Society 2026 Annual Meeting. This prize is awarded every two years to spin-offs with exceptional societal benefits. The jury recognized Ovo Labs’ contribution to addressing demographic challenges and strengthening reproductive freedom.
- Ovo Labs receives Max Planck Startup Award of the Stifterverband 2026 (Max Plank Innovation, 23 February 2026)
- Video (YouTube): Ovo Labs – Neue Wege bei der künstliche Befruchtung (IVF)
Oleksandr Yagensky was born in Lutsk, Ukraine. His interest in life sciences early on brought him in his final high-school year the bronze medal at the International Biology Olympiad in Mumbai, India (2008). He completed his Bachelor’s studies in Biotechnology at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow (Poland), supported by a scholarship of the President of Ukraine (2008-2009) and a Rector scholarship of the Jagiellonian University (2009-2010). Oleksandr joined the International Max Planck Research School for Molecular Biology in October 2012 as a Master student, supported by a stipend of the Excellence Foundation for the Promotion of the Max Planck Society (2012-2013). Oleksandr carried his PhD research at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen. In 2017 Oleksandr Yagensky won the first place at the UKRAINET PhD Thesis Presentation Contest. Using social media, he organized the community of Ukrainians in Göttingen with the goal of promoting a positive image of Ukraine in local community through various cultural and social events. Oleksandr is passionate about music (he formed a rock band with the fellow students from the PhD program) and entrepreneurship.
After his PhD and successful career in consultancy (Bain & Company), Oleksandr’s passion for entrepreneurship led him to co-found and lead as a CEO Fast Biotechnologies (2018-2019), and then co-found Ovo Labs, where he also serves as a Co-CEO. Oleksandr created and hosted Personalized Medicine Podcast (2019-2022).