Chiral analytics to streamline the drug development process and a new paradigm in biological drug formulation get a CHF 40,000 Kick

ENANTIOS: Measurement solutions for the future of pharma
Despite decades of advancement and rapid changes in pharmaceutical drugs, the methods used to characterize drugs during development and manufacturing have largely remained the same. Because the function of drugs is strongly dependent on their structure this “measurement gap” represents a significant barrier to drug development and manufacturing. 
ETH spin-off ENANTIOS has developed a new analytical tool for the characterization of the three-dimensional structure of molecules. The ENANTIOS technology allows customers to quickly screen large numbers of molecules early in the development process, and test quality more easily in manufacturing for modern, structurally complex drugs. This lowers the cost of new drug development and enables more accurate and cost-effective testing in manufacturing. The team consists of co-founders Dr. Carin Lightner and Stefan Meyer, along with a growing advisory board to provide scientific and industry-focused insights.
The Venture Kick funds will help them to transition their laboratory prototype into an industry-ready tool and begin running pilot projects. enantios.ch

Palto Therapeutics: A new paradigm in biological drug formulation
Many therapeutically valuable molecules do have the potency and specificity to act as drugs in incurable diseases, but they cannot reach the diseased cells due to pharmacologic limitations. Genetic drugs like siRNAs are the prototype of a class with extremely high potential whose delivery problem has not been solved. Similar restrictions exist for therapeutic peptides or other macromolecules, like mRNA for vaccination. Their project is to provide a precise solution for targeting such molecules in diseased, but not healthy cells. Guided nano delivery will also limit cost and toxicity problems.
Palto Therapeutics is a new Swiss company founded by Dr. William Wishart, Dr. Marcel Blommers, and Dr. Helmut Sparrer, research scientists with an extensive background in pharmaceutical research. They have a concrete plan for collaboration with Prof Johannes Mosbacher (in vitro biology, PK/PD) and Prof Georg Lipps (engineering of siRNA vehicle), at FHNW/Muttenz, and Dr. Roger Benoit, structural biology, at PSI/Villigen. Prof W. Filipowicz, a pioneer in siRNA research at the FMI, is supporting as an academic advisor. Palto Therapeutics has developed an innovative concept that integrates all necessary functions to overcome small RNA delivery and targeting problems. They have designed a nano-structure called SmartCoat that physically protects the siRNA against degradation and tissue adsorption, has tailored pharmacokinetic properties, and allows targeted delivery to cell types and organs of choice. The nanostructure is small (6 nM) and forms a defined 1:1 complex. At the same time, it is non-immunogenic, degradable, and binds to any siRNA sequence without modification. Currently, Palto Tx is focussing to develop solutions for siRNA delivery into tumors for a breakthrough in cancer therapy. The global RNA-based therapeutics market generated almost USD 5 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach over USD 25 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 17.6% from 2021 to 2030.
The Venture Kick funds will be used to support the work with reagents and to finance in-vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) studies. paltotx.com