Startup Spotlight highlights cutting-edge companies at BIO-Europe Spring

Who will be the next startup to make it big? See new companies on the rise at the Startup Spotlight at BIO-Europe Spring® in Vienna, March 25–27. With more cutting-edge research coming from academia and startup companies than ever before, both traditional and atypical players are showing greater interest and providing valuable resources. The BIO-Europe Spring Startup Spotlight program, sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company, will feature exciting, innovative companies as well as those that are providing the funding, infrastructure, mentorship, and expertise to foster the growth of exciting new technologies.

Lilly’s Tim Luker, Senior Director, Emerging Technology and Innovation, Corporate Business Development, shared how the company is eager to help startups on the rise. “Lilly is excited to sponsor this event—we are strong supporters of emerging biotech companies that aim to make a significant difference for patients. Through our partnering and venture fund strategies, we are successfully bringing novel first / best-in-class therapeutic opportunities into our pipeline in collaboration with many of the best scientific innovators.”

Representatives and companies participating in the Startup Spotlight include:

Ablevia biotech GmbH

Austria

ABLEVIA biotech is owner of the SADC-platform technology for the selective depletion of disease-causing and neutralizing antibodies. SADCs are first-in-class, infusible therapeutics, a flexible technology readily adaptable to several disease- and ADA-indications including unmet clinical needs. This technology solves critical issues in a wide array of therapeutic contexts, such as drug inhibition, autoimmune diseases, organ transplantation, gene therapy.

Presenter: Oskar Smrzka, Founder and Inventor, Ablevia biotech GmbH

Aelian Biotechnology

Austria

Aelian Biotechnology was founded in Vienna in Feb 2018 by experienced life science entrepreneurs. Aelian combines CRISPR screening with single-cell transcriptional read-out, leveraging two of the most powerful functional genomics technologies to enable drug target identification and validation as well as disease modeling.

Presenter: Thomas Moser, CEO, Aelian Biotechnology

Elypta AB

Sweden

Elypta is commercializing the world's first pan-cancer liquid biopsy platform based on metabolism. Exceptional sensitivity in all stages of cancer enables applications from screening to follow-up and response monitoring. The first application is early detection of recurring renal cell carcinoma with other urological cancers close behind.

Presenter: Karl Bergman, CEO, Elypta AB

EsoCap AG

Switzerland

Currently there is no single medication that can be administered locally in the esophagus. EsoCap develops a smart application technology allowing a targeted drug delivery in the esophagus with prolonged mucosal contact time and controlled release of APIs. The EsoCap technology addresses a major need expressed by international KOLs. Our business model is to show clinical feasibility in one indication and to seek a partner.

Presenter: Isabelle Racamier, CEO, EsoCap AG

GlakoLens

Turkey

GlakoLens is a spin-off startup developing a non-invasive and disposable smart contact lens that monitors intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations for glaucoma patients and people in high-risk groups. The proprietary tech is based on years of research. Glaucoma affects over 70 million people worldwide and is the second leading cause of blindness. It is a chronic condition with no permanent cure. The most prominent and stealthy form of glaucoma is caused by chronic ocular hypertension (high IOP).

Presenter: Hamdi Torun, Co-Founder, GlakoLens

ImStar Therapeutics

Canada

ImStar Therapeutics is a private biotechnology company developing new therapeutic approaches to treat patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The lead drug candidate, IMS-088, is a disease-modifying novel compound for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) that acts via rescue of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) proteinopathy associated with these devastating neurodegenerative diseases. ImStar is also developing mAb therapeutics directed at TDP-43.

Presenter: Daniel Wattier, CEO, ImStar Therapeutics

Isanans Pharma

Denmark

Isanans is a recently established biotech company focusing on inflammatory eye disorders. The lead asset is a small molecule KCa3.1 blocker and has in animal models demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effect and to be well-tolerated. The molecule is being developed as a topical/local treatment and the intention is to demonstrate cPoP in the most cost-efficient way, and then broaden up to a number of relevant indications after human effect has been demonstrated.

Presenter: Kamilla Rolsted, Co-founder and CEO, Isanans Pharma

Medibiofarma

Spain

Medibiofarma is a Spanish biotechnology company founded in 2016 with the aim of discovering and developing new therapies in immuno-oncology. The company is focused in small molecules modulating targets with the potential of improving the clinical efficacy of approved Anti-PD1/PDL1 antibodies.

Presenter: Julio Castro, CSO, Medibiofarma

ResoTher Pharma ApS

Denmark

ResoTher Pharma is developing peptide-based drugs derived from the endogenous immunomodulator Annexin 1A as resolution therapy for diseases where neutrophil-driven inflammation plays a key pathological role. Our current focus is on cardiovascular disorders and inflammatory disorders with a large unmet medical need. The company's assets are based on the breakthrough discoveries of Professor Mauro Perretti at Barts, a pioneer in the field of Resolution of Inflammation.

Presenter: Lone Veng, CEO, ResoTher Pharma ApS

Respirogen, Inc.

United States

Respirogen™ Lipid Oxygen Microbubble (OMB) technology provides novel systemic oxygen delivery to the body independent of the lungs. Hypoxia (low oxygen saturation) in lung injury patients can quickly lead to irreversible organ damage or death. OMB will reduce risk and cost of current ventilator and ECMO therapies.

Presenter: Robert Scribner, CEO, Respirogen, Inc.

Stimunity

France

Stimunity develops immuno-stimulatory biological drugs in oncology. The company is a spin-off of Institut Curie (Paris, France) exploiting a Virus-Like Particle cutting-edge technology to stimulate the immune system against tumor cells via the STING pathway. Unlike competition, we achieve a potent immune response, a synergy with immune checkpoint inhibitors and a therapeutic efficacy on distant tumors.

Presenter: Sylvain Carlioz, CEO, Stimunity

Stratify Genomics

United States

Stratify Genomics sells Prompt, a risk stratification test for prostate cancer. Controversial recommendations have led to a 4x rise in metastatic prostate cancer. Using a patented SNP-based assay validated in the largest trials of our time, Prompt and our recommended screening frequency is 2x more efficient as annual PSA and 3x more effective than family history at detecting eventual cancer.

Presenter: Martyn Gross, President, Stratify Genomics

 See these cutting-edge companies and learn what it takes to grow a startup at BIO-Europe Spring in Vienna, March 25-27.