CHF 40,000 for membrane-protecting therapies for degenerative diseases, energy storage solutions, and a novel molecular diagnostic assay
21.12.2023
Amporin Pharmaceuticals, BTRY, and Checktor Biosciences were selected for Venture Kick's second stage of financial and entrepreneurial support. Their projects develop a breakthrough new class of small molecule drugs; produce a solid-state battery that can be recharged within one minute, is non-flammable, and works even in extreme temperatures; and fight drug-resistant infections with point-of-care tests.
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 Amporin Pharmaceuticals: CEO Dr. Kelvin Stott and Research Director Dr. Jinghui Luo
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 BTRY: CTO Abdessalem Aribia and CEO Moritz Futscher
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 Checktor Biosciences: CEO Carolina Paganini and CTO Jacob Lesinski
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Amporin Pharmaceuticals: Membrane-protecting therapies for degenerative diseases
Over 50 deadly degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes, Parkinson’s, and many rare diseases, are now associated with protein aggregation. In each case, a specific protein or peptide aggregates to form toxic oligomers and pores which puncture holes in cell membranes, causing loss of homeostasis, oxidative stress, and progressive cell death in a particular part of the brain or body. Together, these diseases affect over half a billion people and cost the global economy around USD 3 trillion each year, yet there are still no effective treatments that can stop or reverse the underlying process of degeneration.
Amporin Pharmaceuticals is being formed in Basel to develop a breakthrough new class of small molecule drugs that can specifically block and eliminate these toxic oligomers and pores from within cell membranes, thus protecting our cells from their deadly effects. Founders include CEO Dr. Kelvin Stott, with over 20 years of R&D leadership experience in Big Pharma, biotech, business consulting, and venture capital, and Research Director Dr. Jinghui Luo, who published the first-ever molecular structure of an amyloid pore in his labs at the Paul Scherrer Institute.
The Venture Kick funds will contribute to validating the company’s technology and selecting a lead candidate that can progress toward human clinical trials. amporin.com
BTRY: Redefining energy storage solutions
Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, but they have their limitations: They charge relatively slowly and are temperature-sensitive. BTRY has developed a solid-state battery that solves these problems: It can be recharged within one minute, is non-flammable, and works even in extreme temperatures.
CEO Dr. Moritz Futscher and CTO Dr. Abdessalem Aribia founded the company together with Dr. Yaroslav Romanyuk as a scientific advisor in 2023 as a spin-off of EMPA and ETH Zurich. Their thin-film solid-state battery is made of thin-film cells that are stacked on top of each other to increase their capacity. This distinctive high-precision semiconductor manufacturing method enhances the battery’s promise for commercial applications and is also entirely solvent-free, making it a more environmentally friendly choice. The company initially focuses on Internet of Things applications, with plans for later expansions into consumer electronics, robotics, and aerospace. These areas represent a battery market size in the billions of USD.
The team plans to use the VentureKick funds to kick-start their transition from a spin-off in a research environment to a VC-funded company.
Checktor Biosciences: Fighting drug-resistant infections with point-of-care tests
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), fed by the overprescription of antibiotics, is fast becoming a global emergency. Key to limiting the formation and spread of resistant bacteria and the misuse of antibiotics is the development of reliable, effective, rapid, and accessible diagnostic technologies.
The case of gonorrhea is particularly dire, only a single drug remains broadly effective against the disease. Checktor Biosciences uses its novel molecular diagnostic assay to create an accessible diagnostic test that can detect multiple strains of gonorrhea, and associated antimicrobial resistances, within 10 minutes. The team of scientists and engineers with startup experience is collaborating with partners worldwide and aiming to enter a rapidly growing market worth over USD 7 billion. Founders include Carolina Paganini and Jake Lesinski.
The Venture Kick funds will contribute to strengthening the company's business case and converting its technology into a viable product.
Over 50 deadly degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes, Parkinson’s, and many rare diseases, are now associated with protein aggregation. In each case, a specific protein or peptide aggregates to form toxic oligomers and pores which puncture holes in cell membranes, causing loss of homeostasis, oxidative stress, and progressive cell death in a particular part of the brain or body. Together, these diseases affect over half a billion people and cost the global economy around USD 3 trillion each year, yet there are still no effective treatments that can stop or reverse the underlying process of degeneration.
Amporin Pharmaceuticals is being formed in Basel to develop a breakthrough new class of small molecule drugs that can specifically block and eliminate these toxic oligomers and pores from within cell membranes, thus protecting our cells from their deadly effects. Founders include CEO Dr. Kelvin Stott, with over 20 years of R&D leadership experience in Big Pharma, biotech, business consulting, and venture capital, and Research Director Dr. Jinghui Luo, who published the first-ever molecular structure of an amyloid pore in his labs at the Paul Scherrer Institute.
The Venture Kick funds will contribute to validating the company’s technology and selecting a lead candidate that can progress toward human clinical trials. amporin.com
BTRY: Redefining energy storage solutions
Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, but they have their limitations: They charge relatively slowly and are temperature-sensitive. BTRY has developed a solid-state battery that solves these problems: It can be recharged within one minute, is non-flammable, and works even in extreme temperatures.
CEO Dr. Moritz Futscher and CTO Dr. Abdessalem Aribia founded the company together with Dr. Yaroslav Romanyuk as a scientific advisor in 2023 as a spin-off of EMPA and ETH Zurich. Their thin-film solid-state battery is made of thin-film cells that are stacked on top of each other to increase their capacity. This distinctive high-precision semiconductor manufacturing method enhances the battery’s promise for commercial applications and is also entirely solvent-free, making it a more environmentally friendly choice. The company initially focuses on Internet of Things applications, with plans for later expansions into consumer electronics, robotics, and aerospace. These areas represent a battery market size in the billions of USD.
The team plans to use the VentureKick funds to kick-start their transition from a spin-off in a research environment to a VC-funded company.
Checktor Biosciences: Fighting drug-resistant infections with point-of-care tests
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), fed by the overprescription of antibiotics, is fast becoming a global emergency. Key to limiting the formation and spread of resistant bacteria and the misuse of antibiotics is the development of reliable, effective, rapid, and accessible diagnostic technologies.
The case of gonorrhea is particularly dire, only a single drug remains broadly effective against the disease. Checktor Biosciences uses its novel molecular diagnostic assay to create an accessible diagnostic test that can detect multiple strains of gonorrhea, and associated antimicrobial resistances, within 10 minutes. The team of scientists and engineers with startup experience is collaborating with partners worldwide and aiming to enter a rapidly growing market worth over USD 7 billion. Founders include Carolina Paganini and Jake Lesinski.
The Venture Kick funds will contribute to strengthening the company's business case and converting its technology into a viable product.