ALP Bio raises USD 2.2M pre-seed to address immunogenicity risk in antibody development
30.04.2026
Swiss biotech startup ALP Bio has raised USD 2.2 million in pre-seed financing to advance its platform combining human immune organoid biology and generative AI, aiming to identify and reduce immunogenicity risk earlier in antibody development.
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ALP Bio raised USD 2.2 million in a pre-seed round led by 42CAP, with participation from Venture Kick and a group of strategic angel investors.
Immunogenicity, including anti-drug antibody (ADA) responses, remains one of the key challenges in biologics development. These immune reactions can reduce therapeutic efficacy, introduce safety risks, and force programs to be modified or discontinued at late stages, when development costs are already substantial. In many cases, these risks only become visible during clinical trials.
ALP Bio is building a hybrid platform designed to surface immunogenicity signals earlier in antibody development workflows. The approach combines experimentally derived human immune organoid data with machine learning models that support risk assessment and antibody redesign. By linking wet-lab immune system modeling with computational design tools, the company aims to enable earlier, more informed development decisions.
The platform is based on human tonsil organoid technology that replicates immune activity in vitro, combined with AI models trained on biological datasets. It is being developed to support lead candidate screening, ADA risk stratification, and sequence optimization while preserving therapeutic function.
The new funding will be used to expand ALP Bio’s immune organoid capabilities, increase automation and throughput, and launch early partner projects focused on immunogenicity risk in antibody programs. The company will also grow its scientific and commercial teams in Switzerland and the United States, while engaging pharmaceutical and biotech partners in early-access collaborations.
"Venture Kick's early backing, the initial grant, and the CHF 40,000 follow-on, gave us the runway to validate the concept of our platform in front of real partners and refine the story we now take to market. It was the bridge between a scientific idea and an investable company," highlighted Punit Mehra, Chief Business Officer.
Alp Bio co-founders: Anatol Ehrlich, Punit Mehra, Lucas Schaus, and Christian Vahlensieck
Immunogenicity, including anti-drug antibody (ADA) responses, remains one of the key challenges in biologics development. These immune reactions can reduce therapeutic efficacy, introduce safety risks, and force programs to be modified or discontinued at late stages, when development costs are already substantial. In many cases, these risks only become visible during clinical trials.
ALP Bio is building a hybrid platform designed to surface immunogenicity signals earlier in antibody development workflows. The approach combines experimentally derived human immune organoid data with machine learning models that support risk assessment and antibody redesign. By linking wet-lab immune system modeling with computational design tools, the company aims to enable earlier, more informed development decisions.
The platform is based on human tonsil organoid technology that replicates immune activity in vitro, combined with AI models trained on biological datasets. It is being developed to support lead candidate screening, ADA risk stratification, and sequence optimization while preserving therapeutic function.
The new funding will be used to expand ALP Bio’s immune organoid capabilities, increase automation and throughput, and launch early partner projects focused on immunogenicity risk in antibody programs. The company will also grow its scientific and commercial teams in Switzerland and the United States, while engaging pharmaceutical and biotech partners in early-access collaborations.
"Venture Kick's early backing, the initial grant, and the CHF 40,000 follow-on, gave us the runway to validate the concept of our platform in front of real partners and refine the story we now take to market. It was the bridge between a scientific idea and an investable company," highlighted Punit Mehra, Chief Business Officer.
Alp Bio co-founders: Anatol Ehrlich, Punit Mehra, Lucas Schaus, and Christian Vahlensieck