|
RISING STARS - ITALIAN SEED & EARLY STAGE COMPANIES SESSION
|
Betaglue technologies spaBetaGlue Technologies is a highly innovative clinical stage company targeting solid tumors and surgical resection margins with a proprietary β-emitting bio-compatible matrix, delivered to target via a dedicated delivery system; both components are cleared as medical devices, benefitting of a shorter regulatory pathway.
|
|
CaSRevolution S.r.l.CaSRevolution focuses on the development of new therapeutic products for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our company has identified a new therapeutic concept linked to disease initiation and progression, which involves the Calcium Sensing Receptor (CaSR) found in astrocytes and neurons. CaSRevolution will develop in parallel two streams of activities: it will evaluate the repurposing of an existing drug - a patented calcilytic that was previously indicated and tested in humans up to Phase II for the treatment of osteoporosis - and will also start developing a drug discovery program to leverage on the technology platform internally unfolded.
https://www.casrevolution.com/ |
|
CORION BIOTECH S.r.l.Corion Biotech S.r.l was founded in December 2012. Our project originates from over 2 decades of translational research in the fields of human placental physio-pathology by the University of Turin team leaded by Alessandro Rolfo and Tullia Todros, CSO and CMO of the Company respectively.
Business Idea: Corion Biotech develops innovative therapeutic solutions for women’s health, focusing on: Preeclampsia: main cause of fetal-maternal mortality, affecting 3-8% of all pregnancies worldwide. Preeclampsia resolves at delivery but it causes severe long term complications for both mother and newborn thus costing to the global health care system more than 16 billion USD/year Preeclampsia is an unsolved medical need. Epithelial cancers: epithelial tumours as Breast and Ovarian cancers represent the leading type of cancer in women and the one with the highest mortality rate respectively. Due to the dramatic rates of cancer recurrence and resistance to conventional therapies, new approaches are mandatory. Corion Biotech technology and therapeutic approaches are internationally patented. http://www.corionbiotech.com/ |
|
Diadem S.r.l.The challenge of AD: very three seconds one more person is diagnosed with dementia and two cases out of three are due to Alzheimer’s disease. Current diagnostic tools (imaging and CSF) are invasive, expensive and carry risks. Diagnosis is delayed by 2 years, often beyond the optimal therapeutic window and with significant on-costs to the system. An affordable, non-invasive and effective diagnostic test is a great unmet need in current standard of care.
Diadem is developing a plasma based test with equivalent (or superior) accuracy (Sens. and Spec. >95% in MCI patients) versus current standard of care diagnostics. Lead biomarker is a target epitope on U-p53 as identified by a proprietary monoclonal antibody on LC-MS/MS. Diadem is raising new capital in the range of € 6m to finance product development for CE marking (Q1 2021) and FDA submission (Q3 2021). Product development and strong IP protection will secure access to a market value estimated in > USD 1bn with multiple potential upsides http://www.diademresearch.com/ |
|
Eudendron S.r.l.Eudendron is an Italian biotech company, owned and founded in 2012 by Dr. Mauro Angiolini and Dr. Fabio Zuccotto. Eudendron is a "PMI Innovativa", a special label introduced by the Italian legislation that ensures attractive fiscal policies to Investors interested to support innovation in Italy. The Founders have deep experience in drug discovery, with a particular focus on design and development of protein kinases inhibitors for therapeutic use in oncology. Eudendron develops anti-cancer agents for applications within the precision medicine model, adopting a tumor agnostic approach and targeting populations of patients hosting genetically defined cancers. Eudendron discovered and patented a chemical series with excellent anti-cancer properties against different type of cancer cells such as lung, thyroid, neuroblastoma and cutaneous lymphoma. Patented molecules are also able to overcome drug resistance observed in about 30% of patients treated with approved drugs and caused by the insurgence of mutations. The chemical series inhibits a cluster of targets including the protein kinases RET, NTRK1-2-3, ALK, ROS1, FYN and DDR2\. For these targets, the proprietary molecules showed excellent data of activity in several cancer cell lines with potency in the nanomolar range. Analogously, uncommon activity was observed against well-known and emerging drug resistance mutations of ALK, RET, NTRK1-2-3, ROS1 or DDR2 that hamper the clinical efficacy of kinase inhibitors already marketed. A special area of interest of the research company is represented by the discovery of new therapies for the treatment of neuroblastoma, a rare and orphan disease observed mainly in pediatric patients. The small molecules that Eudendron is developing showed high specificity and outstanding activity in vitro and in zebrafish models as single agent or in combinations with chemotherapeutics today administered. Eudendron is now committed to find Investors or industrial Partners to develop the chemical series and advance the project to clinical development.
https://www.eudendron.com/ |
|
MyWay Genetics s.r.l.MyWay Genetics is an innovative Italian startup founded in 2016 by three professionals with scientific and business backgrounds. The company is focused on the development of InnoGraft, a liquid biopsy to diagnose rejection in heart transplant patients, with the objective of finding a less invasive and more cost efficient solution than the endomyocardial biopsy (the current standard for post-transplant rejection surveillance). The company submitted its patent request for its InnoGraft technology in January 2018 and extended the request under the PCT in January 2019.
https://www.mywaygenetics.com/ |
|
NoToVir S.r.l.S.NoToVir is a new biotech Start-up established on December 2017, active in the field of medical biotechnology. NoToVir arises from the experience and work carried out over the years by the Laboratory of Pathogenesis of Viral Infections - Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin (UniTo), in collaboration with the Laboratory of Virology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont (UPO), Novara, Italy. The company's main objective is the screening of innovative antiviral molecules for the production of new pharmacologically selectively active principles against viral infections.
http://notovir.com/ |
|
PANOXYVIR ltd.PANOXYVIR is developing a based on an evolutionary-shaped physiological molecule which targets components of the host cells essential for viral replication (HTA: host targeting approach).
http://www.panoxyvir.com/ |
|
Plasfer S.r.l.Based on a patent, Plasfer is transforming blood platelets into cellular medicines.
Blood platelet concentrates are automatically transformed into drug carriers for the therapeutic targeting of solid cancer and of inflammatory diseases. Plasfer is developing the platelet-mediated delivery of oligonucleotides, small molecule, and antibodies/proteins, using autologous or heterologous platelet concentrates drug-loaded with an automated medical device. https://plasfersrl.com/ |
|
VAXXIT S.r.l.Vaxxit Srl owns patents to the Tat vaccine, a therapeutic HIV vaccine for HIV+ people not responding to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and for the newly infected. HIV/AIDS in 2018: 40M HIV+, 2M new infections, 770K deaths, hotbeds in the mining regions of South Africa (SA) (30% of miners, 30% of adolescent girls and 60% of pregnant women are HIV+). Developed by the Italian National Center for HIV/AIDS Research (CNAIDS) (Rome). Administered only once (3 shots, 4 week apart). Effects persist and increase for many years. 314 volunteers vaccinated in total. Tested in 2 therapeutic phase II studies in Italy and SA: 1) strong boost of CD4+ T cells in non-responders at high risk of progression; 2) unprecedented reduction (–90%) of the virus reservoirs. Vaxxit, born from the Tat vaccine program, is seeking funding for the therapy interruption study in Italy (€5M) and for the phase III studies in SA (€25M).
http://www.vaxxit.com/ |
|
RISING STARS - GLOBAL SEED SESSION
aiNET GmbHaiNET is an ETH spin-off based in Basel, Switzerland. We offer immunoinformatic services.
aiNET leverages artificial intelligence and large-scale networks to help pharmaceutical industries and biotechs discover biologics from next-generation sequencing big data. - We analyze your data and select large-molecules that bind to cancer, infectious and autoimmune targets. - We classify for selections and molecular specificity, affinity and avidity characteristics. - We investigate scientific strategies. - We humanize your sequences. We build your software. https://ainet.ch/ |
|
AltA-ZuZ Therapeutics Ltd.AltA-ZuZ, a start up company based on the work of Prof. Arie Gruzman (Bar Ilan University, Israel) and Prof. Beat Imhof (University of Geneva). Their work has lead to the development of a novel, first-in-class, orally bioavailable, small molecule called GT73 that has been shown to inhibit leukocyte transmigration. We have shown our molecule is a potent blocker of Monocyte, B and T cell trafficking, far superior yet distinct from other currently available therapies (such as Tysabri). In vivo studies on 4 different mouse models of autoimmune diseases (IBD, NASH, MS and Arthritis) has shown excellent efficacy while a 28-day GLP safety study where GT73 was given consecutively on a daily basis at doses 5X the efficacious dose shows no signs of toxicity. We are looking for a partner that will enable us to move forward with the development of the molecule.
|
|
Aqsens Health Ltd.Aqsens Health Ltd is a Finnish healthtech company developing its Enhanced Time Resolved Fluorescence (E-TRF) method for analysing metabolism from body liquids. This patented method, combined with machine learning algorithms, enables rapid, affordable and non-invasive screening of different diseases with very high sensitivity and specificity. The company is focusing on developing screening solutions for cancers and other diseases with significant prevalence and which have no or poor performing (or expensive) early screening solutions available. The initial results with several applications indicate very high sensitivity and specificity (>90 %), and the company is looking to move into validation and commercialization phase during 2020. The primary focus is currently in prostate, breast and gastroenterological cancers, with a secondary focus on other prevalent diseases like IBDs. Due to the nature of the method, the possible application areas / diseases to be screened are numerous and hence the method has a vast global business potential.
The team, lead by a former IBM and Nokia executive CEO Timo Teimonen, consists of 6 professionals with broad experience and excellence in science, data analytics, strategy, business development and operational execution. This is complemented with leading clinical advisors from university hospitals and with the founder’s (Chairman Pekka Hänninen) wide multidisciplinary scientific experience. https://aqsens.com/ |
|
Araris Biotech AGAraris Biotech AG is a spin-off company from the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and ETH Zurich focusing on the commercialization of a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)-linker technology. Our platform allows for the attachment of any payload to ‘off the shelf’ antibodies without the need of prior antibody engineering. The resulting ADCs have a well-defined drug-to-antibody ratio, are stable and monomeric. All these favorable properties contribute to the high efficacy and low level of toxicity observed so far. In summary, the straightforward drug conjugation, versatility of the technology and high in vivo efficacy enable the generation of ADC compounds for the treatment of patients with a high unmet medical need.
https://www.ararisbiotech.com/ |
|
Àvida Biotech, S.L.Àvida Biotech is developing products to prevent neglected and emerging infectious diseases based on a broad-spectrum antiviral. These products are oral and thermostable, which makes them widely affordable to achieve maximal impact. Our mission is to reduce the global impact of infectious diseases through the development of affordable innovative products, with a special focus on those diseases affecting people in low-income countries. Our main focus is on dengue, chikungunya and zika. We have proof of concept of oral vaccination for dengue in mice, and in vitro data for influenza, zika and HIV. Our goal is to develop a pipeline of therapies and vaccines based on this antiviral product. We seek funding to complete the indentification of the antiviral and to obtain IP protection. We prioritize impact investors, and we are aligned with Sustainable development Goals 3 (Health), 9 (Technology & Innovation), 10 (Reduce inequalities) and 17 (Partnerships).
http://www.avida-biotech.com/ |
|
Concenter BioPharma Ltd.Developing Novel Drugs (New Chemical Entities) for Treating and Preventing Type 2 Diabetes, now starting clinical trials following submission of an IND application. Estimated time for filling NDA Q3 2022, using the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway!
Team consists of seasoned CEO and CSO and Regulatory Lead (former FDA division head) and a SAB which includes 3 of the global KOLs in Type 2 Diabetes (USA, Germany, Israel), which have been involved in all of the key developments in type 2 diabetes medications in the past 50 years! IP - 9 patents – recent GRANTS in USA, EU, Australia, Canada…additional patents in process. Recently submitted 4 new patent Applications. Market - Type 2 Diabetes – Global Epidemic costing $850 Billion/Year. In many countries - 1 out of 3 people is either Diabetic or Pre-Diabetic! Over 450 Million people worldwide currently have diabetes; 12% of Global health expenditure is spent on diabetes. In the USA - >30 Million have diabetes and additional 89 Million have Pre-Diabetes, over 4,100 new patients are diagnosed DAILY; $322 Billion per year is spent on diabetes, 20% of healthcare costs go to caring for people with diabetes! In China (WHO data), over 10% of all adults – about 110 million people – currently live with diabetes; rates of Type 2 diabetes in China have exploded in the last couple of decades; almost half of all adults in China – close to 500 million people – have prediabetes. https://www.concenterbiopharma.com/ |
|
Delta 4Delta 4 is a Vienna-based biotech startup focusing on digital drug discovery and development. Delta 4 uses a proprietary computational platform combined with straightforward biomedical testing and validation of candidate compounds. The unique aspect is an iterative in silico and experimental workflow that allows speeding up the process of matching indications with compounds of interest. Reaching clinical stages faster significantly reduces development costs.
http://www.delta4.ai/ |
EndotelixThe Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder defined as vascular thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity occurring in persons with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and is a disease which affects approximately up to 5% of the world population.
Endotelix has identified a specific peptide sequence responsible for the APS disease. We have since patented this sequence and are in the process of developing a rapid diagnostic test for APS in the form of a Lateral Flow Assay, similar to pregnancy tests. The current diagnosis of APS is a long, complicated and expensive ELISA process which has to be repeated several times in order to confirm the diagnosis of APS. The sensitivity and rapidity of the test will potentially make a huge difference not only in the diagnosis of this disease but also in its management. https://www.endotelix.com/ |
|
Gigabases Switzerland AGFounded in 2018 as a Spin-Off from ETH Zürich, Gigabases holds a portfolio of DNA design and fabrication processes representing the breakthrough in the manufacturing of large functional Biodesigns.
Our technology provides our customers exclusive access to new scales of DNA designs thereby reducing time to market for DNA based products. https://www.gigabases.com/ |
|
HAYA TherapeuticsHAYA Therapeutics is a Swiss-based pre-clinical early stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to treating heart failure through the discovery and development of innovative targeted first-in-class RNA-based therapeutics, with a specific focus on long noncoding RNAs. Our vision is to be the first company and a world leader in translating long noncoding RNA discoveries into breakthrough therapies to monitor and treat heart failure patients.
http://hayatx.com/ |
|
HempinessHempiness is the first drinks on the market that help maintain the balance of body and mind. Each bottle of Hempiness contains 15 mg CBD.
CBD is cannabidiol derived from hemp. It works on the receptors of your endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system has a very important responsibility: regulating many of our most important immune functions; including our stress and anxiety levels. When our ECS is running smoothly our nerves calm, our mind clears, our mood improves and our immune system functions optimally. We just feel good. http://www.drinkhempiness.com/ |
|
ISD-Immunotech ApSISD-Immunotech is developing a first-in-class personalised therapy for Severe SLE focused on patients with confirmed STING pathway over activation. SLE disease severity has been shown to correlate with STING overactivity. The research lead ISD-017, is a small peptide therapeutic which binds directly to STING preventing over activation of multiple pathways controlled by STING. The peptide action is broad including blockade of IFN, IL-6, TNFa, apoptosis and autophagy which are all implicated in the symptoms of severe SLE. In vivo data confirms strong efficacy of ISD-017 in SLE mouse models (NZW/B F1 and Fcgr2b-/-) . Ex vivo assays on SLE patient samples confirm translation to human disease. The risk of SLE clinical development will be mitigated by clear patient stratification to a STING over activated patient subset, use of a therapeutic suppressing many pathways involved in SLE (eg not limited to suppression of only IFN, IL-6 or B-cell proliferation) and choosing cutaneous SLE patients in early trials with tapering of SoC therapies.
ISD is a spinout of Aarhus University, Denmark. The company is lead by a professional team of STING and SLE experts, seasoned drug development professionals and entrepreneurs. The ISD peptide was identified by our academic founder where the influenza virus uses the peptide to cross mammalian cell membranes and suppresses the host immune system by interacting with STING. The company controls 2 patents on the method of identifying immuno suppressive domains (ISD) and on the development of ISD-017 for the treatment of autoimmune disease. ISD's current focus is optimisation of ISD-017 to a clinical lead candidate and a CRO proposal to achieve this is in place. ISD is seeking seed funding to further develop the lead candidate, perform in vivo PoC with the optimised lead and further MOA studies. http://www.isd-immunotech.com/ |
|
Nomi Biotech CorporationThe Polish-Japanese Nomi Biotech Corporation specializes in the design and production of innovative nutraceuticals combining nutritional values and characteristics of pharmaceuticals. Startup has already introduced to the market its first product – the alcorythm® and recently raised EUR 240k investment from the Black Pearls VC fund. The company aims at the USD 100 bn market of functional beverages and develops preparations which support the human body in the fight against the negative effects of alcohol consumption, or the excess of sugars in common food products.
http://www.alcorythm.co/en |
|
PharmaBiome AGPharmaBiome is a pre-clinical biotech company pioneering the development of next-generation microbiome therapies.
Based on our research, we develop bacterial consortia using our unique mixed-culture technology. Our protected, indication-specific bacterial consortia target functional disbalances of the microbiome, as groundbreaking therapeutics for patients with currently incurable chronic diseases linked to the intestinal microbiome starting with ulcerative colitis and cancer. https://www.pharmabiome.com/ |
|
Saverna TherapeuticsSaverna Therapeutics AG is a Swiss pharmaceutical start-up company founded with the vision to develop small molecule drugs that target non-coding RNA for the treatment of diseases with high unmet need. Saverna Therapeutics was founded in November 2017 by four former lab heads at Novartis, Switzerland, who have come together to leverage their expertise in a specialized and validated drug discovery platform tailored for identifying RNA-targeting small molecule compounds. Non-coding RNA, despite being reported to be dysregulated in over 1000 diseases, are notoriously difficult targets for drug discovery. As such, Saverna Therapeutics’ drug discovery activities have the potential to impact the development of a new field in drug discovery by utilizing their innovative and advanced platform for identifying small molecule drugs targeting non-coding RNA, a novel class or drug targets. Saverna focuses on the disease areas of inflammation, cancer and infection.
https://www.saverna.com/ |
|
SiBreaXSiBreaX develops drugs based on targeted drug delivery via silicate nanoparticles. Most noticeable, SiBreaX nanoparticles allow for the intracellular delivery of proteins, peptides, and RNA, as well as for the specific delivery of drugs to lung tissue – thereby opening breakthrough access to novel therapeutics.
As first, easily accessible lead drugs, SiBreaX develops improved lung cancer chemotherapeutics to reduce side effects and raise efficacy - with an anticipated sales potential of >$1B per drug. In addition, SiBreaX partners with pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs requiring targeted delivery. Leveraging the full potential of the technology, SiBreaX strives to develop breakthrough drugs based on the routine intracellular delivery of peptides, proteins, and RNA. https://sibreax.com/ |
|
Sirana Pharma GmbHSirana Pharma is a Munich-based innovative spin-off company of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, which has been founded in early September 2019. By using a strong IP portfolio, we aim to develop anti-microRNA-based therapies to treat a range of diseases affecting the function and integrity of bones and muscles.The company is currently in the pre-clinical stage.
|
|
Synendos Therapeutics AGSynendos Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company, spin-off of the University of Bern. Synendos aims to develop breakthrough safe and effective therapies for neuropsychiatric disorders through modulation of a new drug target that enables restoration of the normal functioning of different neuronal circuits in the brain. Synendos advances the preclinical and clinical development of a new class of small molecules that modulate the endocannabinoid system acting as selective endocannabinoid reuptake inhibitors (SERIs). The design and development of second generation SERIs started in 2012 from an in silico ligand-polypharmacophore screening of >12M compounds which was followed by an effective medicinal chemistry program (in collaboration with a CRO) that led to the identification of a preclinical drug candidate (2019). SERIs are covered by solid IP protection (four patent families) and first-in-man, phase I trial is expected for 2021. SERIs are first-in-class inhibitors that represent an innovative therapeutic approach for central nervous system diseases characterized by an impairment of the endocannabinoid system. SERIs are the only modulators that can restore the full spectrum of endocannabinoid biological activities acting with a self-limiting mechanism of action. This offers the potential differential advantage over existing and future treatments through provision of a safe and effective treatment that enables restoring the normal functioning of different neuronal circuits in the brain. In addition, Synendos envisages to create a promising pipeline by exploiting the exclusive access to the endocannabinoid transport mechanism and developing third generation target-based SERIs with a broad applicability in the area of neuropsychiatric and inflammatory diseases. The development of SERIs was supported by a number of non-dilutive grants (NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, EIN-Roche, Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society, Innosuisse). In 2019, Synendos has raised CHF 0.5 Mio non-dilutive (BaseLaunch winner, European Union, Gebert Rüf Foundation, Venture Kick) and is currently fundraising for its first financing round.
https://www.synendos.com/ |
|
SyNoesis TherapeuticsSyNoesis Therapeutics is a start-up biotech with the vision to cure Parkinson's disease (PD) and other major brain diseases. We aim to capitalize on the potential of a novel small molecule we patented for PD to be further developed to be successful in clinical trials and become the first drug to cure it.
The therapeutic has a pleiotropic both disease-modifying and symptomatic effect. It covers remarkably the unmet needs of PD in several mouse models and has drug-like properties. Importantly, it also applies to other major brain diseases. We are further developing it to make it a drug. http://www.synoesistherapeutics.com/ |
|