Pure-DEL has received CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to target the undruggable
18.11.2025
ETH spin-off Pure-DEL has received CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to advance its technology for tackling some of the most challenging drug targets. The funding will support the expansion of Pure-DEL’s DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) portfolio, opening access to billions of precisely designed molecules that can reach disease targets conventional treatments cannot address.
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Many important disease-related proteins are still considered “undruggable.” The reason: biologic drugs such as antibodies cannot enter cells, while small chemical molecules often fail to bind to large or complex protein surfaces. As a result, crucial pathways remain unaddressed, slowing progress in areas like cancer and inflammatory diseases.
Pure-DEL tackles this challenge with its Self-Purified DEL platform (DNA-Encoded Library). The technology generates libraries of more than one billion specially designed drug-like molecules called macrocycles. These combine two key advantages: the structural diversity needed to target difficult proteins and the ability to be taken orally. Unlike conventional methods, Pure-DEL’s platform can discover compounds that bind to proteins previously thought inaccessible. Its unique combination of scale and precision positions Pure-DEL as a next-generation drug discovery solution—opening the door to treatments for diseases that have long resisted available medicines.
The CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick will allow Pure-DEL to advance its business and to prepare for fundraising by meeting with investors and prospective partners, while also expanding the platform's capabilities.
The Biotech startup is led by four ETH scientists. Dr. Dimitar Petrov and Dr. Michelle Keller (future Co-CEO/CSO) co-developed the platform during their PhDs. They are joined by Dr. Andreas Gloger, an expert in library screening and protein engineering, and Prof. Jörg Scheuermann, a DEL pioneer. Together, the team combines deep expertise to turn complex science into practical drug discovery.
“The Venture Kick program has been instrumental in transforming our technology into a strong business case,” highlighted co-founder Michelle Keller. “We are grateful to Venture Kick for increasing the visibility of our science-driven start-up. Especially the Kicker's Camps and the feedback from the jury were very helpful for refining our business plan and our pitch.”
Pure-DEL Co-Founders Michelle Keller, Andreas Gloger, Dimitar Petrov, and Jörg Scheuermann
Pure-DEL tackles this challenge with its Self-Purified DEL platform (DNA-Encoded Library). The technology generates libraries of more than one billion specially designed drug-like molecules called macrocycles. These combine two key advantages: the structural diversity needed to target difficult proteins and the ability to be taken orally. Unlike conventional methods, Pure-DEL’s platform can discover compounds that bind to proteins previously thought inaccessible. Its unique combination of scale and precision positions Pure-DEL as a next-generation drug discovery solution—opening the door to treatments for diseases that have long resisted available medicines.
The CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick will allow Pure-DEL to advance its business and to prepare for fundraising by meeting with investors and prospective partners, while also expanding the platform's capabilities.
The Biotech startup is led by four ETH scientists. Dr. Dimitar Petrov and Dr. Michelle Keller (future Co-CEO/CSO) co-developed the platform during their PhDs. They are joined by Dr. Andreas Gloger, an expert in library screening and protein engineering, and Prof. Jörg Scheuermann, a DEL pioneer. Together, the team combines deep expertise to turn complex science into practical drug discovery.
“The Venture Kick program has been instrumental in transforming our technology into a strong business case,” highlighted co-founder Michelle Keller. “We are grateful to Venture Kick for increasing the visibility of our science-driven start-up. Especially the Kicker's Camps and the feedback from the jury were very helpful for refining our business plan and our pitch.”
Pure-DEL Co-Founders Michelle Keller, Andreas Gloger, Dimitar Petrov, and Jörg Scheuermann