InSphero and Brenus Pharma are awarded EUR 1.5 million grant for cancer research project
23.01.2023
The Eurostar funding will support a research project aiming to use 3D cell cultures to develop a novel cell immunotherapy for colorectal cancer. InSphero ranked among the TOP 100 Swiss Startups and Scale-Up and is both a Venture Kick and Venture Leaders alum.
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The collaborative project titled "STC-1010: A First-in-Class Allogeneic Cell Vaccine Against Cancer" is coordinated by Brenus in collaboration with InSphero and was launched in November 2022 and is set to take 36 months. The collaboration aims to leverage the 3D model in the development of the STC-1010 drug candidate, based on Brenus' technology platform. It will soon enter the clinical phase, targeting metastatic colorectal cancer.
Funding was provided by the Eurostars fund, a support mechanism for small and medium-sized enterprises under the European Commission's Horizon 2020 research and innovation support program, as well as by Bpifrance and InnoSuisse. InnoSuisse also partners with Venturelab for Start-up Training Business Creation and Business Growth programs.
Paul Bravetti, CEO of Brenus Pharma, said treatment resistance and current challenges in oncological research that this tool could address. "Our STC platform enables the production of new generation immunotherapies that will give the patient's immune system a step ahead by educating it to anticipate and fight against the resistance and escape mechanisms put in place by cancer cells," said Bravetti. "The ambition of this technology is to offer a solution to a large population of patients who are currently at an impasse with current treatments. We are delighted with the collaboration with InSphero, which is fully in line with our strategy to develop new drugs for cancer patients."
"We are delighted to partner with Brenus Pharma on the Allogenix project. 3D-cellular approaches will play an important role in the future of innovative therapies such as those delivered by the STC platform, ensuring accelerated and quality data assessment, " said Jan Lichtenberg, CEO of InSphero CEO. "InSphero's revolutionary cryopreservation technology will also support complementary developments for the Brenus STC platform. The resulting new medicines will provide solutions for patients suffering from tumors around the world. We look forward to this successful partnership, which would not have been possible without the trust and support of Eurostars."
InSphero's CEO and co-founder, Jan Lichtenberg
InSphero's managing team includes experts in 3D-microtissue engineering, cell-based assays, laboratory automation, and industry-scale production and quality assurance. The company was awarded CHF 130,000 by Venture Kick in 2008 and participated in the Venture Leaders program in 2010. The company was named a TOP 100 Swiss Startup every year from 2011 to 2014 as well as a TOP 100 Scale-Up in 2019.
Funding was provided by the Eurostars fund, a support mechanism for small and medium-sized enterprises under the European Commission's Horizon 2020 research and innovation support program, as well as by Bpifrance and InnoSuisse. InnoSuisse also partners with Venturelab for Start-up Training Business Creation and Business Growth programs.
Paul Bravetti, CEO of Brenus Pharma, said treatment resistance and current challenges in oncological research that this tool could address. "Our STC platform enables the production of new generation immunotherapies that will give the patient's immune system a step ahead by educating it to anticipate and fight against the resistance and escape mechanisms put in place by cancer cells," said Bravetti. "The ambition of this technology is to offer a solution to a large population of patients who are currently at an impasse with current treatments. We are delighted with the collaboration with InSphero, which is fully in line with our strategy to develop new drugs for cancer patients."
"We are delighted to partner with Brenus Pharma on the Allogenix project. 3D-cellular approaches will play an important role in the future of innovative therapies such as those delivered by the STC platform, ensuring accelerated and quality data assessment, " said Jan Lichtenberg, CEO of InSphero CEO. "InSphero's revolutionary cryopreservation technology will also support complementary developments for the Brenus STC platform. The resulting new medicines will provide solutions for patients suffering from tumors around the world. We look forward to this successful partnership, which would not have been possible without the trust and support of Eurostars."
InSphero's CEO and co-founder, Jan Lichtenberg
InSphero's managing team includes experts in 3D-microtissue engineering, cell-based assays, laboratory automation, and industry-scale production and quality assurance. The company was awarded CHF 130,000 by Venture Kick in 2008 and participated in the Venture Leaders program in 2010. The company was named a TOP 100 Swiss Startup every year from 2011 to 2014 as well as a TOP 100 Scale-Up in 2019.