CHF 40,000 for safe treatments for hemophilia, cholestasis and liver disease, and for a sustainable treatment of industrial chemical waste
27.05.2024
BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics, CALDRE, and CellX Biosolutions were selected at Venture Kick's second financial and entrepreneurial support stage. Their projects develop innovative and safe treatments for hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease.; injury prevention capabilities in pre-clinical models by leveraging liver-specific technology, and bridge the gap in biological solutions using highly-performant bacterial degraders for effective and CO2 emission-free degradation of target chemicals in industry.
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 BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics, from right to left: CEO & cofounder: Dr. Raja Prince-Eladnani, Chair BoD & cofounder Prof. Anne Angelillo-Scherrer, Expert scientist Dr. Rim Diab
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 CALDRE: From left to right, Dr. Felix Baier, Professor Deborah Stroka, Dr. Nicolas Melin
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 CellX Biosolutions: From left to right: Christian Engler, Engineering lead; Geoffrey Besnier, Operations lead; Dr. Estelle Clerc, CEO; and Dr. Fabienne Kurt, Product lead
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BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics: Advanced Safe Therapy for Hemophilia & Von Willebrand Disease
BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics is at the forefront of developing innovative and safe treatments for hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease. These inherited bleeding disorders are marked by frequent, spontaneous bleeding episodes. They impact a significant number of individuals worldwide, with prevalence rates ranging from 1 in 1000 to 1 in 60,000. The limitations of current treatment options underscore the urgent need for alternative therapies. With a present market valuation of USD 14 billion, projected to grow to USD 22 billion by 2030, the demand for more effective treatments is clear.
BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics team developed SLN140, an advanced therapeutic option for hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease. SLN140 targets and diminishes the activity of protein S (PS), a blood coagulation factor that inhibits clotting. Reducing PS levels, SLN140 facilitates clotting and minimizes bleeding risks in affected individuals. SLN140 belongs to a new category of RNA therapeutics (ATMP), distinguished by their affordability, ease of production, and capability to safely address previously challenging pathways. BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics patents for SLN140 are granted in the US, Korea, Japan, and Israel, with patent nationalization processes underway in additional countries.
BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics team's commitment to innovation and excellence is empowered by collaborations with the University of Bern and the Inselspital facilities, supporting the completion of IND-enabling studies and progress toward clinical trials.
The Venture Kick funds will contribute to establishing the SLN140 regulatory and toxicology plan.
CALDRE: Cholestasis and liver disease resolved
CALDRE addresses an important public health issue related to the rising incidence of liver disease. The liver produces and secretes approximately 800 milliliters of bile each day. However, conditions such as autoimmune diseases, unhealthy lifestyles, and blockages can obstruct bile flow from the liver causing a disease called cholestasis. Cholestasis produces enormous stress on the liver and can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening tissue damage. It is the current indication responsible for 10% of all liver transplants.
CALDRE has discovered an innovative and untapped therapeutic target to help relieve the symptoms of liver cholestasis. By leveraging a liver-specific targeted therapy, cholestasis-induced liver damage can be prevented in pre-clinical models. This new treatment option holds promise for 370,000 patients suffering from primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis who are unresponsive to the current standard of care.
The team from the University of Bern and Inselspital, is currently developing a lead candidate, with a phase I clinical trial on the horizon. The Venture Kick Stage I funding provides the opportunity to engage expert advice on the pre-clinical strategy.
CellX Biosolutions: Creating innovative bacteria-based products for sustainable treatment of industrial chemical waste.
Pollution caused by industrial chemical by-products is a major global issue. Conventional disposal (i.e. incineration) is costly and emits large amounts of CO2, while current biological methods struggle at scale and efficiency.
CellX Biosolutions bridges the gap in biological solutions using highly-performant bacterial degraders for effective and CO2 emission-free degradation of target chemicals in industry. The ETH Zürich-born startup is composed of CEO Dr. Estelle Clerc (Ph.D. microbiology), Geoffrey Besnier (Operations Lead), Christian Engler (Engineering Lead), and Dr. Fabienne Kurt (Product Lead). Board Members include Prof. Roman Stocker. CellX developed an innovative method using a deployable microfluidic-based tool to capture bacteria capable of pollutant degradation in remote environments. The chemical treatment sector, valued at 30 billion USD, is expected to grow by 82% by 2027. This growth aligns with clear economic and societal motivations for advancing sustainable alternatives, positioning CellX as a key player in the drive toward a more environmentally responsible future.
The funding from Venture Kick Stage II will bring their bacterial degraders closer to the market and for IP development.
BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics is at the forefront of developing innovative and safe treatments for hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease. These inherited bleeding disorders are marked by frequent, spontaneous bleeding episodes. They impact a significant number of individuals worldwide, with prevalence rates ranging from 1 in 1000 to 1 in 60,000. The limitations of current treatment options underscore the urgent need for alternative therapies. With a present market valuation of USD 14 billion, projected to grow to USD 22 billion by 2030, the demand for more effective treatments is clear.
BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics team developed SLN140, an advanced therapeutic option for hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease. SLN140 targets and diminishes the activity of protein S (PS), a blood coagulation factor that inhibits clotting. Reducing PS levels, SLN140 facilitates clotting and minimizes bleeding risks in affected individuals. SLN140 belongs to a new category of RNA therapeutics (ATMP), distinguished by their affordability, ease of production, and capability to safely address previously challenging pathways. BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics patents for SLN140 are granted in the US, Korea, Japan, and Israel, with patent nationalization processes underway in additional countries.
BLEEDnFIRE Therapeutics team's commitment to innovation and excellence is empowered by collaborations with the University of Bern and the Inselspital facilities, supporting the completion of IND-enabling studies and progress toward clinical trials.
The Venture Kick funds will contribute to establishing the SLN140 regulatory and toxicology plan.
CALDRE: Cholestasis and liver disease resolved
CALDRE addresses an important public health issue related to the rising incidence of liver disease. The liver produces and secretes approximately 800 milliliters of bile each day. However, conditions such as autoimmune diseases, unhealthy lifestyles, and blockages can obstruct bile flow from the liver causing a disease called cholestasis. Cholestasis produces enormous stress on the liver and can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening tissue damage. It is the current indication responsible for 10% of all liver transplants.
CALDRE has discovered an innovative and untapped therapeutic target to help relieve the symptoms of liver cholestasis. By leveraging a liver-specific targeted therapy, cholestasis-induced liver damage can be prevented in pre-clinical models. This new treatment option holds promise for 370,000 patients suffering from primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis who are unresponsive to the current standard of care.
The team from the University of Bern and Inselspital, is currently developing a lead candidate, with a phase I clinical trial on the horizon. The Venture Kick Stage I funding provides the opportunity to engage expert advice on the pre-clinical strategy.
CellX Biosolutions: Creating innovative bacteria-based products for sustainable treatment of industrial chemical waste.
Pollution caused by industrial chemical by-products is a major global issue. Conventional disposal (i.e. incineration) is costly and emits large amounts of CO2, while current biological methods struggle at scale and efficiency.
CellX Biosolutions bridges the gap in biological solutions using highly-performant bacterial degraders for effective and CO2 emission-free degradation of target chemicals in industry. The ETH Zürich-born startup is composed of CEO Dr. Estelle Clerc (Ph.D. microbiology), Geoffrey Besnier (Operations Lead), Christian Engler (Engineering Lead), and Dr. Fabienne Kurt (Product Lead). Board Members include Prof. Roman Stocker. CellX developed an innovative method using a deployable microfluidic-based tool to capture bacteria capable of pollutant degradation in remote environments. The chemical treatment sector, valued at 30 billion USD, is expected to grow by 82% by 2027. This growth aligns with clear economic and societal motivations for advancing sustainable alternatives, positioning CellX as a key player in the drive toward a more environmentally responsible future.
The funding from Venture Kick Stage II will bring their bacterial degraders closer to the market and for IP development.