ABOUT 16th_ELSF
​> ATTENDEES​
​> INVESTORS​
> PRESENTERS​
​> SPONSORS​
​> SUPPORTERS​

20-minute PRESENTATIONS

AlphaMol Science AG

AlphaMol Science AG was cofoundered by Prof. Horst Vogel from EPFL and Prof. Shuguang Yuan from Chinese Academy of Sciences. Both of them are in the list of top 2% scientists in the world in 2022.

The team has worked on GPCR basic research and innovative biotechnology development for more than 30 years. The team member has long-term and successful experience in the collaborations with big pharma including Roche, Novatis, Nestle and many others. The members of AlphaMol advanced two ""first-in-class"" drug molecules into clinical trial via computational methods within three years, of which the world-wide patents were granted.

AlphaMol combines aritifical intelligence and in-house cutting-edged biotechnology, aiming at building up a complete pipeline to advance modern new drug discovery and drug design in an ultimately efficient way. Currently, AlphaMol has advanced one first-in-class PCC within 9 months which usually takes 5-7 years to achieve via traditional way; several pipelines are now in the lead optimization stages which usually take 2-3 years to achieve.

In 2022, AlphaMol defeated Google’s AlphaFold2 in the global GPCR-Dock contest, with more than 60% accuracy.

www.alphamol.com/

Amyl Therapeutics

Amyl therapeutics develops a proprietary platform for the treatment of amyloid mediated diseases: amyloidosis, neurodegenerative diseases and others. The mode of action is unique targeting several proteins with a multiple clearing mechanism.​

www.amyltx.com

Atriva Therapeutics GmbH

Atriva is a mid-stage clinical development company with first-in-class host-targeting therapies to treat severe viral infections when prevention failed.

www.atriva-therapeutics.com/

Azafaros B.V.

Founded in 2018 with a deep understanding of rare genetic disease mechanisms and led by a team of highly experienced industry experts, Azafaros aims to build a pipeline of disease-modifying therapeutics to offer patients and their families new treatment options. Our lead clinical-staged program is AZ-3102, a highly differentiated, orally available, small molecule with the potential to treat GM1 and GM2 Gangliosidosis and other metabolic disorders.

www.azafaros.com/

Cantargia AB
[STO: CANTA]

Development of antibody based therapeutics targeting IL1RAP. The target is involved of disease progression of both cancer as well as autoimmune/inflammatory disease.

Lead asset: nadunolimab with positive phase 2a data in both NSCLC and PDAC. A phase 1/2 ongoing in triple negative breast cancer and phase 2/3 in preparation for first line therapy in pancreatic cancer.

Second asset: CAN10 entering phase 1, in development for myocarditis and systemic sclerosis.

Listed on NASDAQ Stockholm (CANTA).

www.cantargia.com

Epics Therapeutics

EPICS is a clinical stage drug discovery and development company that invents and develops small molecule drugs targeting RNA epigenetic mechanisms involved in cancer development.

​https://www.epicstherapeutics.com/

Iama Therapeutics S.r.l.

IAMA Therapeutics is a Series A late-preclinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel medicines to make a difference in the lives of children suffering from epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders. IAMA Therapeutics couples emerging advances in drug discovery and neurobiology to selectively inhibit the cation chloride cotransporters and other therapeutic targets relevant to brain disorders characterized by neuronal imbalance.​

www.iamatherapeutics.com/

invIOs GmbH

invIOs stands for innovative immuno-oncology and is a privately held biotech company based in Vienna, Austria, focused on the discovery and development of innovative cancer immunotherapies. invIOs is a fully owned subsidiary of Apeiron Biologics AG.

Our proprietary cell therapy platform EPiC for  silencing intracellular IO targets enables rapid treatment of patients using their own cells by employing short out-of-body times in an outpatient setting. The novel concept allows access to and treatment for indications that have not previously been addressable by cell therapy.

We have three projects in early clinical and pre-clinical stages. One project is in Phase 1, treating patients with solid tumours using our autologous and transient cell therapy to silence the checkpoint inhibitor Cbl-b and activate the innate and adaptive immune system. Other projects are in pre-clinical (using the same platform involving TILs) and a tumor-specific novel small molecule for immune activation upon oral application.

www.invios.com/

iOmx Therapeutics ag

iOmx Therapeutics is a Munich-based biopharmaceutical company focused on developing first-in-class cancer immuno-therapeutics addressing novel immune checkpoints hijacked by cancer cells. Utilizing its iOTarg™ high-throughput screening platform, iOmx has identified several proprietary tumor-associated next-generation immune checkpoints and is advancing a preclinical stage pipeline of promising drug candidates that have the potential to address cancers that are resistant to current immunotherapies. The company’s lead program IMT-07 targets SIK3, an immune protective kinase in multiple solid tumors. iOmx is backed by international venture capital investors, such as Wellington Partners, Sofinnova Partners and M Ventures as well as MIG Capital and Athos Biopharma.​

www.iomx.com

Macomics Ltd.

Macrophage drug discovery company with novel antibody preclinical pipeline and proprietory ENIGMAC drug discovery platform.

Macomics is developing precision medicines to modulate macrophages for the treatment of cancer. Our vision is to develop new approaches to target the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, which exploits disease specific macrophage biology to harness the power of the immune system.

We have a portfolio of antibody programs progressing towards clinic and continue to identify new therapeutic targets through it's proprietary ENIGMAC platform. By combining analysis of human disease tissue, in silico data mining, and functional data from state-of-the-art cellular models we continue to identify and validate new drug targets in diseases where macrophages play a central role.

The company was co-founded in 2020 by Prof Jeffrey Pollard and Dr Luca Cassetta, University of Edinburgh, internationally recognised leaders in macrophage biology.

www.macomics.com/

Oryzon Genomics S.A.
[BME:ORY]

A public clinical-stage biopharma developing epigenetics for CNS disorders and Oncology. +50 highly-qualified professionals located in Barcelona, Boston, NYC and San Diego. Listed in Spain, aiming at NASDAQ-listing.

Two uncorrelated Phase II compounds: iadademstat (oncology) and vafidemstat (CNS).

Iadademstat, best-in-class LSD1 inhibitor, is in clinical development for AML and solid tumors. PoC with strong clinical activity in combo with azacitidine in a Phase II in unfit AML patients, and encouraging signals in 2L-ED-SCLC. Currently launching new trials in AML, SCLC and neuroendocrine tumors.

Pioneering development of epigenetic drugs in CNS with vafidemstat, a safe LSD1 inhibitor. Positive results reducing aggression in a Phase IIa basket trial in psychiatric patients. Two Phase IIb trials in borderline personality disorder and schizophrenia actively recruiting. Also launching a CNS personalized medicine program, starting with a Phase I/II trial in Kabuki syndrome.

www.oryzon.com/

Relief Therapeutics Holding SA
[​SIXL RLF.SW  / OTCQB: RLFTF / OTCQB: RLFTY]

Relief Therapeutics is a Swiss, commercial-stage, biopharmaceutical company focused on the identification, development and commercialization of novel, patent-protected products intended for the treatment of rare and ultra-rare diseases including metabolic disorders, pulmonary diseases and connective tissue disorders.

www.relieftherapeutics.com/

Somagenetix AG

Somagenetix is a Spin-off from the Univ of Zurich leveraging scientific, clinical and commercial expertise to solve unmet medical needs through gene therapy. We aim at becoming a leading gene therapy company with first-in-class and best-in-class treatment for phagocyte-related disorders.

stalicla sa

STALICLA is a clinical stage, precision molecular neuroscience biotech company with a mature pipeline for patients with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) and Neuropsychiatric disorders.

STALICLA’s unique approach addresses a principal weakness in the drug development process for NDD’s and neuropsychiatric disorders: behavior is a terrible biomarker. Clinical psychiatric and neurodevelopmental diagnoses encompass a broad diversity of underlying biology. This has contributed to drug development failure by diluting true responders in a population of patients with heterogeneous biology.

STALICLA’s technology platform, DEPI, discovers biologically based endophenotypes within classical neuropsychiatric diagnostic groups. The AI/ML engine converges molecular data with human genetic information and non-behavioral clinical signs and symptoms, to define biologically related subgroups and create testable clinical hypotheses related to that biology. The DEPI platform has already completed several successful clinical validations, through the identification and biological validation of two distinct subgroups of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD-Phenotype1 and ASD-Phenotype2, together with their predicted tailored treatment candidates (STP1 and STP2); as well as the blindly and retrospective calling “high” responder patients to previously failed drug candidates with high specificity, sensitivity, and positive predictive value.

Further the completion of STP1 Phase 1b in 2022, STP1 will enter clinical Phase 2 in 2023; as well as STP2, a Phase 2 ready asset in licensed in Q4 ’22. Additionally, STALICLA will be advancing STP7, a recently in-licensed Phase 3 ready asset from Novartis, with strong potential for a neuropsychiatric indication, and whose clinical development will be fully financed by a non-dilutive funding to be announced in Feb.

STALICLA is currently preparing its next stage of growth, to advance its pipelines and to scale its platform towards revenue generation.

www.stalicla.com

Telum Therapeutics

Telum Therapeutics SL is a global drug discovery biotechnology company specializing in the use of Engineered Phage Lytic Proteins as new antimicrobial products.

telumtherapeutics.com/

Ultimovacs ASA
[Euronext Oslo: ULTI.OL]

Ultimovacs is an immunotherapy company developing immune-stimulatory vaccines to treat a broad range of cancers. Ultimovacs’ lead universal cancer vaccine candidate UV1 targets human telomerase (hTERT), present in 85-90% of cancers in all stages of tumor growth. By directing the immune system to hTERT antigens, UV1 drives CD4 helper T cells to the tumor to activate an immune system cascade and increase anti-tumor responses. With a broad Phase II program in five cancer indications enrolling more than 650 patients, Ultimovacs aims to clinically demonstrate UV1’s impact in multiple cancer types, in combination with other immunotherapies, for patients with unmet needs. Ultimovacs’ second technology approach, based on the proprietary Tetanus-Epitope-Targeting (TET) platform, combines tumor-specific peptides and adjuvant in the same molecule and entered Phase I studies in 2021.​

www.ultimovacs.com

Versameb AG

Versameb is an IND-enabling stage biotech, based in Basel, Switzerland developing RNA therapeutics. We’re currently raising (series A) financing to start our clinical program in Stress Urinary Incontinence and get an asset ready for entry into Phase I/II trials in Solid Tumors.

Versameb has a proprietary platform to engineer RNA for increasing the bioavailability and potency of proteins produced, as well as being able to target multiple proteins simultaneously using a single RNA construct. We have recently generated data showing our lead asset can reduce involuntary urine loss through regenerating the urinary sphincter in an animal model for stress urinary incontinence.

Versameb’s scientific and leadership team has proven expertise in drug discovery and development with experience from Roche, Therachon, Prosensa, Theravance, Mosaic Biomedicals and others.

www.versameb.com/

Xintela AB
[STO: XINT]

Xintela is a clinical-stage biopharma company developing superior stem cell-based therapies and First-in-Class targeted cancer therapies utilizing its proprietary cell marker technology.

The Company’s allogeneic MSC product XSTEM® is in clinical development (Phase I/IIa) in Osteoarthritis (First-in-Human, dose escalation) and Difficult-to-heal venous leg ulcers (VLU). During 2023 Xintela expect safety and efficacy readouts from the VLU study as well as safety from all dose levels and early efficacy signals from the Osteoarthritis study. Preclinical studies in large animals, support a disease modifying effect in OA and VLU and also in the treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). XSTEM is manufactured in Xintela’s own GMP-approved facility.

In the oncology program, run by the subsidiary Targinta, two lead candidates; TARG9 (Antibody Drug Conjugate, ADC) and TARG10 (function blocking antibody), targeting integrin α10β1, are being developed for the treatment of aggressive cancers including triple-negative breast cancer and the brain tumor glioblastoma. Preclinical studies have demonstrated significant inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. A Phase 0 (microdosing) clinical study will be conducted to validate the novel target and treatment concept.

www.xintela.se/

Ymmunobio AG

Ymmunobio AG is a Swiss preclinical stage oncology biotech company focused on enabling innovative new treatments for cancer patients. The company has two fully humanized lead antibodies in preclinical development. YB-800, a first in class humanized NPTXR antibody. It inhibits proliferation and induces cell death in NPTXR-positive cancer cells as demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. YB-200, belongs to a novel class of CEACAM1 antibodies and directly targets the CEACAM1 receptor on immune cells. The antibody is an immune agonist and increases the efficiency of the immune response in clearing cancer cells. The anti-tumor data of YB-200 in two in vivo models were just recently presented at SITC 2022.​

www.ymmuno.bio

10-minute PRESENTATIONS

Acthera Therapeutics Ltd.

Acthera Therapeutics is developing a unique and innovative type of liposomes, for the targeted and controlled delivery of drugs. Based on a patented synthetic lipid, we produce Hard-Shelled Liposomes (HSL) that have faces and edges, a unique characteristic that gives the HSL a strong differentiator: they are mechano-responsive. When submitted to mechanical stress, they release their payload, allowing the controlled and targeted delivery of drugs. This is a way to improve the efficacy and safety of drugs, by targeting the delivery at the site of pharmacological activity. Moreover, the encapsulation is a protection against metabolism or excretion, until the drug is locally released, optimizing the PK/PD parameters.

The combination of HSL with various payloads and specific triggers opens many therapeutic opportunities.Various mechanical triggers can activate the release of the HSL's payload. High shear stress associated with a pathological vascular occlusion is an internal trigger that can be used to deliver active drugs at the site of an acute thrombotic blood vessel occlusion, such as in acute myocardial infarction or acute ischemic stroke. The company is therefore currently focusing on developing new thrombolytic drugs based on the HSL, with an increased efficacy and efficiency, thanks to a controlled and targeted delivery at the site of the thrombosis, triggered by the associated shear stress.

External triggers, such as ultrasound or laser light, applied to target specific body locations or organs can have the same triggering effect as shear stress. In the future, the HSL-payload-trigger combination will be a unique platform to deliver drugs WHERE and WHEN they are needed, from cardiovascular to oncologic diseases. It will increase the therapeutic effectiveness of many drugs, whose use is still limited by their unfavourable efficacy:safety profile. For the benefit of patients!

www.acthera-therapeutics.com/

Actimed Therapeutics Ltd.

Actimed Therapeutics is a clinical stage, speciality pharma company focused on bringing innovation to the treatment of cachexia and other muscle wasting disorders. Our lead product, S-pindolol benzoate has been described as an anabolic/catabolic transforming agent (ACTA) and has already generated significant Phase 2a data in cancer cachexia patients. Actimed is currently preparing for a phase 2b/3 clinical study programme in cancer cachexia.

Our second asset, S-oxprenolol, has promising preclinical data in models for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Our small-molecule programme consists of multi-action agents that affect more than one pathway critical to the development of cachexia and other muscle wasting conditions. It focuses on a new class of agents that exhibit a multi-modal pharmacology, targeting the pathophysiology of cachexia: reducing catabolism, increasing anabolism and increasing appetite.

Actimed was founded by Professors Stefan Anker and Andrew Coats, two world leading physicians in muscle wasting research. Our lead area of focus is specifically on cachexia which is a wasting disease that accompanies cancer and other serious chronic illnesses and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite its prevalence and devastating clinical effects, there is no globally approved drug for the treatment of cancer cachexia.

It is estimated that cachexia affects 50–80% of cancer patients and accounts for up to 20% of cancer deaths. It is a major unmet medical need and also represents a multi $billion commercial opportunity.

The vision of Actimed is to develop the first globally approved treatment for cancer cachexia.

Actimed has raised approximately $15million dollars to date and recently closed the final seed round. A major Series round will open shortly to fund the further development of the Company including the Phase 2b/3 programme for S-pindolol benzoate in cancer cachexia.

Actimed is headquartered in Kings Cross, London.

www.actimedtherapeutics.com/

Antion Biosciences SA

Antion Biosciences is the world leader in efficient, safe and cost effective Cell Multiplexing technologies for almost any cell type.

We develop cutting-edge allogeneic cell therapies in indications of high unmet medical and technical engineering need for patients who need hope to become reality.  Our initial focus is in the field of Oncology.

www.antionbio.com/

AstriVax NV

The mission of AstriVax is to address real-world challenges in vaccinology. Our novel vaccine platform technology has a unique mechanism of action with the potential to develop vaccines that are easy to produce, have reduced cold chain requirements, and offer broad and long-lasting protection with single dose schedules against various viruses and other pathogens.

astrivax.com/

BAYOOMED GmbH

BAYOOMED is specialized in the development of medical apps and medical software. With more than 250 person years of project experience, BAYOOMED is highly professional in the regulated CE & FDA environment. We support more than 400 medical and pharma companies and are among the most experienced medical software developers in Europe, having experience with the medical device classes I-III and the software security classes A-C.

We engineer mHealth / eHealth applications under iOS (iPhone & iPad) and Android according to IEC 62304 and support product developers and innovators from the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors in all phases of software product lifecycle. Our Quality management processes certified by TÜV Hessen according to ISO 13485 are a testament to our passion for sustainable solutions and distinct customer focus.

www.bayoomed.com/en

Calciscon AG

Calciscon was founded as a result of a breakthrough research by Prof. Dr. Andreas Pasch using chronic kidney disease as a human clinical model for vascular inflammation and calcification. Calciscon generates early revenues by marketing its proprietary T50 through strategic partners to revolutionize kidney care, and commercializes its Discovery Platform for drug discovery and development. Our Discovery Platform is an essential tool for gaining insight into the very mechanisms of aging and the resulting development of chronic diseases. Using our own Discovery Platform, we have already identified new active molecules, and will partner with selected pharmaceutical companies to accelerate their drug development programs. We have already clinically validated our core technology in 30,000 human subjects.

calciscon.com/

Cellestia Biotech AG

Cellestia Biotech is developing first-in-class therapies to treat human cancers and auto immune diseases. Our lead asset is advancing to Phase II studies in orphan oncology indications and Graft vs Host Disease (GvHD). The company is managed by an experienced management team and BoDs with a proven track record in the field.

www.cellestia.com/

Endogena Therapeutics Inc.

Endogena Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotech company that discovers and develops first-in-class endogenous regenerative medicines to repair and regenerate tissues and organs. Its approach has the potential to change the way degenerative conditions related to aging and genetic disorders are treated. The concept is based on selective regulation of endogenous adult stem- and progenitor cells for controlled tissue repair by small molecules. Endogena’s most advanced programs target degenerative diseases of the eye, including retinitis pigmentosa and geographic atrophy (secondary to AMD). Endogena is registered in San Francisco, USA, headquartered in Zuerich, Switzerland, and holds a research facility at JLABS in Toronto Canada.

www.endogena.com/

InnoUp Farma

​InnoUp Farma is a Spanish clinical-stage biotech company with a new nanotechnology platform to increase the efficacy and safety of treatments.

innoupfarma.com

Intravacc B.V.

Intravacc, located at Utrecht Science Park Bilthoven in the Netherlands, is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization for infectious diseases and therapeutic vaccines. As an established independent CDMO with many years of experience in the development and optimization of vaccines and vaccine technologies, Intravacc has transferred its technology world-wide for many vaccines including polio, measles, DPT, Hib and influenza. Around 40% of childhood disease vaccines are based on Intravacc’s know-how and proprietary technology. Intravacc offers a wide range of expertise for independent vaccine development, from concept to Phase I/II clinical studies for partners around the world, including universities, public health organizations (WHO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), biotech and pharmaceutical companies.​

www.intravacc.nl/

Kither Biotech S.r.l.

Kither Biotech is a biopharmaceutical company developing signal transduction modulators for the treatment of rare respiratory diseases, with a primary focus on cystic fibrosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Its lead asset, KIT2014 is a cyclic AMP (cAMP) modulating peptide currently being investigated for the treatment of cystic fibrosis as an add-on inhalation therapy to current standard of care. The Company’s second asset, KITCL27 is a small molecule phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor suitable for inhalation, being investigated for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Kither Biotech is a spin-off from the University of Turin and actively collaborates with the Molecular Biotechnology Center (University of Turin) and other research centres around the world.

www.kitherbiotech.com

Novigenix SA

Novigenix SA is a Swiss data driven precision medicine company providing solutions for early detection & therapy response prediction in oncology.

www.novigenix.com/

OMass Therapeutics

At OMass Therapeutics, we are identifying new medicines against highly validated but inadequately drugged targets using novel biochemistry techniques, native mass spectrometry and custom chemistry. We distil biology to its essential elements – physical interactions within a native ecosystem – to deliver cell-system fidelity and cell-free precision; interrogating not just the target but how it interacts with other elements of the ecosystem. We are advancing a pipeline of small molecule therapeutics in orphan diseases and immunological conditions, targeting solute carriers, inflammasome complexes and GPCRs.​

www.omass.com

PDC*line Pharma SA

PDC*line Pharma is a clinical-stage spin-off of the French Blood Bank that develops a new class of potent and off-the-shelf therapeutic cancer vaccines based on a proprietary cell line of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells (PDC*line). Based on a robust preclinical package and a first-in-human phase Ib in melanoma, PDC*line Pharma has initiated a clinical development in lung cancer with a new candidate (PDC*lung) and neoantigens (PDC*neo).
PDC*line is the only cell line of ready-to-use Dendritic Cells for therapeutic use. It is loaded with synthetic peptides derived from tumor antigens, irradiated, and can be stored frozen for years. After thawing, it is injected to activate in vivo a potent cytotoxic anti-tumor CD8+ T-cell response. The product comes in the form of 3 candidates:

• PDC*mel: our first candidate for melanoma completed a first-in-human phase Ib trial in 2017, demonstrating the safety of the product, the ab-sence of allogeneic rejection and its biological activity. The results of the trial have been pub-lished in the Oncoimmunology journal in 2020.
• PDC*lung: our leading candidate for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) targets widely ex-pressed shared antigens (including cancer/testis antigens). A phase Ib/II trial on 64 patients evalu-ating its safety, biological activity, and preliminary clinical activity, with and without anti-PD1, is cur-rently on-going. 
• PDC*neo: is currently being developed at the preclinical stage.

PDC*line Pharma comprises a team of 29 persons based in Belgium and France. The company has raised nearly €52M. The last rounds have been led by the Asian leading VC Korean Investment Partners.

In March 2019, PDC*line Pharma granted an exclusive license in South Korea and exclusive option in other Asian countries to LG Chem Life Sciences Company, for the development and commercializa-tion of PDC*lung cancer vaccine for lung cancer. The total deal value is €108M (123M$) plus royalties on net sales in Asia.

www.pdc-line-pharma.com/

Prokarium Ltd.

Prokarium is a biopharmaceutical company leading the oncology field of microbial immunotherapy. The Company’s pipeline is designed to unlock a new generation of immuno-oncology therapeutics by re-engineering evolution into a synthetic biology platform. Prokarium’s lead program is focused on transforming the treatment paradigm in bladder cancer by orchestrating immune-driven, long-lasting antitumor effects.​

www.prokarium.com

Rejuveron Telomere Therapeutics AG

​Rejuveron Telomere Therapeutics (RTT) is an early-stage biotechnology company focused on promoting healthy aging by improving telomere function. The objective is to develop small molecule therapies that restore telomere length in a variety of diseases, with the lead indications being Dyskeratosis Congenita and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

rejuveron.com/en/what-we-do/rejuveron-telomere-therapeutics

SpliceBio S.L​

SpliceBio is a genetic medicines company on a mission to expand the universe of diseases that can be addressed with gene therapy. Current approaches are constrained due to the limited packaging capacity of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors that can only carry 4.7 kilobases of DNA – we estimate that more than 50% of all genetic diseases are caused by genes that do not fit into a single AAV vector. SpliceBio has developed a proprietary platform, Protein Splicing, that overcomes this fundamental challenge and enables AAV-based gene therapy for genes of any size. Our platform is based on technology developed in the Muir lab at Princeton University after more than 20 years of pioneering intein and protein engineering research.

The company’s platform has been validated in vivo across several therapeutic areas, including ophthalmology, neurology and hearing loss. SpliceBio’s lead program SB007 is aimed at delivering the full-length ABCA4 gene (6.8 kb) to treat Stargardt disease, a monogenic form of macular degeneration that leads to blindness. Beyond its lead program in Stargardt disease, SpliceBio is developing other programs in ophthalmology and is expanding its gene therapy pipeline into other therapeutic areas, including neurology.

The company raised a $57M series A in 2022 co-led by UCB Ventures and Ysios Capital and with the participation of New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Gilde Healthcare, Novartis Venture Fund and Asabys Partners.

www.splice.bio/

Svf vaccines AB

SVF develops vaccines and immunotherapies to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases caused by viral infections. It was spun out from Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, and started operations with seed funding from Karolinska Development in 2020. Its lead project, SVF-001, is a curative therapy for chronic hepatitis B infection. SVF Vaccines is seeking investment that will enable us to:
1. Complete the SVF-001 Phase I study and the manufacturing of clinical trial supplies for the Phase II proof-of-concept study
2. Advance the early-stage vaccine portfolio.

www.svenskavaccinfabriken.se/

TILT Biotherapeutics ltd.

TILT Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing cancer immunotherapies based on its proprietary oncolytic viruses. The company’s patented TILT® technology, which can be delivered locally and systemically, is in clinical development for ovarian cancer, head & neck cancer, melanoma, and lung cancer. The technology is designed to modify the tumor microenvironment and to eliminate its ability to suppress immune responses to cancer. TILT-technology thereby enhances different forms of T-cell therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. TILT’s lead asset, TILT-123, is currently in multiple Phase 1 clinical trials to evaluate safety and explore several additional endpoints when the candidate is given as a single agent and in combination with other immunotherapies.

With headquarters in Finland, the company was established in 2013 as a spin-out from the University of Helsinki and has operations in Europe and the U.S. It has funding from Lifeline Ventures, Finnish Industries Investment (TESI), angel investors, Business Finland, and the European Innovation Council (EIC), and has ongoing collaborations with Biotheus, Merck & Co (MSD) and the Merck-Pfizer Alliance.

TILT drives forward its lead program, TILT-123, towards Phase 2 development in ovarian cancer and is interested in partnership with companies with synergic products such as ICIs and T-cell therapies and with strong capabilities for later stage clinical development.

www.tiltbio.com/

Trawsfynydd Therapeutics, Inc.

Trawsfynydd Therapeutics, Inc., (DE), is a developer of antiviral therapeutics targeting viral respiratory diseases. Founded in 2022, Trawsfynydd builds on an extensive network of experts in drug development to accelerate discovery and testing of novel drug candidates targeting severe, unmet medical needs. Our principal focus is on the continuing need for safe and potent COVID19 therapies, which will provide symptomatic relief, reduce hospitalization and prevent post-treatment viral rebound.

www.viriom.com

Presenting Company Session: Biopôle Selected Investment Opportunities

AC BioScience SA

AC BioScience's Mission is to pioneer next generation translational therapies to achieve a significant increase in the survival rate of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and colorectal cancer where there is a great unmet medical need. Towards this end, the company has developed ground-breaking and life-enhancing immune modulating and angiogenic cancer therapies. Three of its lead molecules have blockbuster potential, two of which enter clinical trials in 2024/25 for cancers with unmet medical needs.

The company’s invention and development efforts have already brought it to clinical-stage:
In early 2024, a clinical trial Phase 2a will commence with its lead molecule ACB2003.4 for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer patients with significantly improved survival (OS and PFS) targets. In early 2025, our second lead molecule ACB1801will enter clinical trial Phase 1 to unlock unprecedented new eligibility and efficacy opportunities for immuno-oncological treatments of colorectal cancer patients. Our third lead molecule CAP6 is still in early pre-clinical development but shows great promise for the treatment of lymphoma.

Extensive IP rights have been secured for the lead molecules with different drug combinations and cancer applications. The company's tumor conditioning therapies are aimed to replace or enhance existing blockbuster drugs with large market opportunities.

The company's co-founders and the core team combine scientific excellence with seasoned senior management experience with a proven track record in execution.

www.ac-bioscience.com

Leman Biotech Lausanne SA

Leman Biotech SA, a spin-off company of EPFL, co-founded by Prof. Li Tang (Head of Laboratory of Biomaterials for Immunoengineering, EPFL), aims to develop and commercialize new metabolic cancer immunotherapies. The company is headquartered in Shenzhen, China. In Switzerland, the company has established a new drug discovery center in Biopole and plans to initiate clinical trials for its cell-based immunotherapy pipeline. Leman Biotech has recently closed an angel financing round of US$11 million.

www.linkedin.com/company/leman-biotech/

Limula SA

Limula SA is a Life Science Tool company based in Lausanne, Switzerland. We provide a unique cell processing technology for fully automated, on-demand and at-scale production of a variety of Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) products.

- Expert team, with support from world-class advisors in the file of Cell & Gene Therapy manufacturing.

- Unique technology: design invention, reinventing the concept of a bioreactor from the ground up, with very strong IP position (patent granted in the EU, pending in the USA, Canada, India, Singapore, Japan, Korea and China.

- Strong traction: pilot tests completed with world-class cell therapy manufacturing centres, large pipeline of potential customers, 5 LOI from biopharma companies and clinical research centres.

- Company as an innovation powerhouse, with € 7m in non-dilutive grants for IP creation on disruptive technologies.

- First revenue-generating product on market in Q1 2025, TAM of £550m for first application, razor-blade model, modelled SOM of € 6m by 2027 (3% of our SAM)

- Currently open for investment, with a Seed round of € 4.5m open to investors interested in enabling technologies for the Cell & Gene Therapy industry, one of the fastest-growing biotechnology market.

www.limula.ch

Parithera SA

Parithera’s goal is to save lives by providing a minimally invasive diagnostic which analyses cancer treatment resistance and allows clinicians to adjust treatment regimen.​

www.parithera.com/

Rising Biotech Stars Session

AATec Medical GmbH

AATec develops novel therapeutics based on the broad therapeutic potential of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) for the treatment of infectious diseases and chronic inflammatory conditions. Our products utilize cutting-edge inhalation technology for pulmonary application and high-yield recombinant AAT manufacturing.

AATec was founded in 2021 in Munich, Germany and is run by a team of seasoned biotech and medical experts. Our aim is to provide patient-centric drugs for diseases of high medical need with global societal impact. Accessible, affordable and with worldwide reach.

aatec-medical.com

Adoram Therapeutics SA

Adoram Therapeutics, a Swiss-based University spin-off, is discovering small molecule therapies with a sought-after ‘allosteric’ molecular mode of action, providing improved efficacy and safety compared to conventional (orthosteric) drugs. Our drug candidates are identified using in-house expertise including sensitive assays to detect hits that modulate the signaling of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCRs), the largest class of receptors in the human genome. We are currently securing a seed round to progress optimized molecules into the clinic.

In immuno-oncology
• Adoram’s foremost asset acts on a unique allosteric pocket we discovered on a validated drug target – the adenosine 2A receptor (A2AR), enabling our small molecule immunotherapy to overcome limitations of previous A2AR-targeting drugs used to treat cancer.

• Clinical drug manufacture will commence later this year before pre-IND studies to enable testing this immunotherapy in multiple types of solid tumors (global market of double-digit Bi USD) via human trials designed by our experienced clinical collaborators.

In inflammatory, autoimmune, and neurological disorders
• For our secondary assets, we have identified biologically active hits to treat autoimmune, CNS (sleep, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s), and inflammatory disorders (colitis, arthritis). A medicinal chemistry campaign is underway in-house to develop optimized leads of four distinct chemical series.

Pipeline expansion, partnering, and I.P.
• We are capable of expanding Adoram's asset pipeline using our proprietary allosteric screening cascade, which is more sensitive, accurate, and cost effective than industry standard high throughput screening methods.

• The screening cascade could be applied to discovery projects, for example as part of strategic partnerships, to detect allosteric drug hits that (positively or negatively) modulate signaling in any chosen Gs or Gi-linked GPCR. 

• The oncology and non-oncology assets described above, as well as the screening know-how are included in a fully executed exclusive license between the University of Geneva and Adoram Therapeutics.

adoram.ch/

Asterivir AG

Asterivir is developing a broad spectrum antiviral platform invented in the lab of Prof. Francesco Stellacci at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland (EPFL). The platform has been proven effective against several families of viruses in vitro and in vivo.

Unlike existing antivirals, which attempt to interfere with viral replication inside host cells, Asterivir's technology employs a unique mechanism of action that targets virus particles extra-cellularly, exerting a mechanical pressure on the particles that compromises their physical integrity and irreversibly renders them non-infective. Thanks to this approach, Asterivir avoids host cell toxicity issues common to today's antivirals.

The technology is applicable to a wide variety of viral infections - those that cause disease in humans, poultry and livestock, but also viral infections of bacteria.

In vitro, Asterivir's approach has proven effective against Dengue, Zika, Hepatitis-C, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Human Metapneumovirus, amongst others. In vivo studies have shown the approach to be effective against Herpes Simplex Virus type-2 (HSV-2), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza. Notably, head-to-head comparisons against Tamiflu have shown our medicine to have a significantly longer therapeutic window, as it is able to clear infections even when treatment is initiated days, as opposed to hours, after the initial infection.

Much like the discovery of the first antibiotics 100 years ago revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections, Asterivir’s technology today has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of viral infections.

www.asterivir.com

Barcode Nanotech​

Exciting advancements in the biotech space are marking RNA/DNA therapies and their lipid-based delivery nanoparticles (LNPs), as promising candidates for treatment of diseases that were considered untreatable thus far. However, one of the largest challenges in developing innovative RNA/DNA therapeutics, is effectively delivering these large nucleic acid sequences to selected target cells.

To overcome this delivery challenge, Barcode Nanotech has developed a proprietary platform that combines in vivo mass-screening of innovative LNP formulations, a novel biodistribution screening tool and an integrated AI system for optimization. This combined approach enables simultaneous screening of hundreds of different LNP formulations in a single experiment, to design and rapidly identify optimal new lipids and RNA/DNA delivery vehicles for each target cell.

Using this unique platform, Barcode Nanotech has already generated novel lipids and vehicles for delivery of RNA/DNA therapeutics to the liver, lungs, tumors, heart and additional targets. The company is actively seeking collaborative opportunities with RNA/DNA pharma companies to develop the next-generation RNA/DNA therapeutics and vaccines.

www.barcode-nano.com/

BiPER Therapeutics

BiPER Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing first-in-class small molecules to treat cancers. BiPER ‘s name summarizes the original and unique approach of lead clinical candidate BPR001 targeting BiP and leading to cancer cell death through unresloved ER (Endoplasmic Reticulum) Stress induction.

www.biper-tx.com/

HeartBeat.bio AG

HeartBeat.bio is building a highly scalable 3D human tissue-based drug discovery platform by combining proprietary human organoid technology, hardware engineering, and artificial intelligence to develop first-in-class drugs for heart diseases faster, less costly and with a higher probability of success in clinical trials.

www.heartbeat.bio/

Hephaistos Pharma

Hephaistos is a French preclinical stage company with first-in-class TLR4 immunostimulants for oncology injected in IV .

We have shown efficacy on metastases, working as single agent as well as combination therapy, and memory effect to prevent relapse.

Our results:

• 100%CR in lymphoma in combination with anti-CD20
  
• 57%CR in colorectal cancer in combination with anti-PD1
  
• 78%CR in osteosarcoma in monotherapy (major breakthrough, nothing works in this indication)
  

Our strategy is a quick market access with osteosarcoma to generate early revenues (we have received an ODD in this indication), and in parallel pursue combination to trigger deals with big pharmas to tackle large indications.

Market size of intravenous immunostimulants is 10 times bigger than intratumoral ones.

hephaistos-pharma.fr/

Karla Therapeutics

Karla is the first T cell company focusing on mental disorders.

Our disruptive approach relies on the discovery of a novel factor “imood” that is released from T cells, drives behavioral impairment in mice and is increased in the blood of psychiatric patients. We have data supporting the therapeutic interest of imood-targeting in multiple psychiatric conditions including mood and psychotic disorders.

We are developing anti-imood therapeutic antibodies to treat psychiatric diseases.

Thus, Karla is a drug development company with platform potential aiming to revolutionize the treatment of mental disorders harnessing the immune system.

www.karla-tx.com/

Perspix Biotech GmbH

roPROTix: The Perspix Technology Platform – Gaining Data Authority to revolutionize next-gen biological drug discovery.

Perspix Biotech is creating next generation multi-targeting antibodies for patients with cancer by leapfrogging traditional drug discovery and development approaches.

Our biotechnology platform roPROTix is the world’s leading AI-based and fully automated discovery platform for multi-dimensional optimization of biotherapeutics. We are shifting the paradigm of multi-targeting drug discovery by connecting "digital design" and "physical” experimentation workflows into a unique closed-loop-feedback-system. In our roPROTix platform, we apply end-to-end (E2E) automated high throughput (HT) and multi-dimensional experimentation which is integrated with HT structural modelling and advanced computational sequence analytics.

Perspix aims at gaining “Data Authority” in multi-targeting antibody drug design. roPROTix serves as a central data source system to generate tailored multi-dimensional experimental data sets of unrivaled scale and quality, further enriched with computational data. These data sets form the basis for the training of dedicated AI engines to decipher the principles for designing multi-targeting antibodies with higher efficacy and better developability.

Join us on our vision to making the next generation of cancer drugs a reality.

www.perspixbio.tech/

Refoxy Pharmaceuticals GmbH

Refoxy is the first biotech company purposely developing activators of the transcription factor FOXO3 in order to harness its therapeutic potential in multiple diseases.

Refoxy is a biotech startup developing novel drugs to modulate FOXO3 transcription factors and harness their therapeutic potential in different disease areas. Refoxy's seed financing allowed the company to reach three milestones: First, the creation and validation of a discovery platform that identifies novel chemical matter capable of activating FOXO3. Second, chemical optimization of lead assets to reach favorable physicochemical properties and therefore is able to test compounds in vivo. Finally, Refoxy demonstrated that its lead assets show early therapeutic potential in different cellular models of disease. With this in mind, Refoxy is currently raising its subsequent financing round to bring a lead asset to 'candidate nomination for clinical development' and advance secondary assets/indications with in vivo Proof of concept experiments.

www.refoxy.com

Selmod GmbH

Selmod develops innovative antibiotics for the treatment of life-threatening, multi-drug resistant infections. The company’s focus is on discovery and early clinical development of small molecules and peptides against new targets, or new mechanism of action modalities on established or validated targets.

selmod.com/

virtual PRESENTATIONS

10-minute PRESENTATIONS

Lutris Pharma

Lutris Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on improving anti-cancer therapy effectiveness and quality of life for patients who are being treated with EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) inhibitors or with radiation, where dermal toxicity often leads to a reduction of anti-cancer therapy compliance. The company aims to provide novel topical therapies in order to mitigate these side effects. Lutris Pharma’s lead asset, LUT014, a topical B-Raf Inhibitor, is a proprietary, first-in-class, small molecule currently in a phase 2 clinical trial in metastatic colorectal cancer patients with EGFR inhibitor-induced acneiform lesions and a phase 1/2 study for the treatment of radiation-induced dermatitis in breast cancer patients.

www.lutris-pharma.com/