deepCDR Biologics’ deep-learning focused antibody discovery and engineering method wins CHF 150,000
24.08.2020
deepCDR Biologics’ patented antibody discovery workflow combines drug screening in mammalian cells with deep learning to generate thousands of optimized lead antibody candidates. This new discovery and engineering method will streamline the drug development process, helping to advance the treatment of cancer, immunological disorders, and infectious diseases such as COVID-19. The ETH spin-off plans to use the CHF 150,000 Venture Kick funds to expand its team and customer base.
.png) deepCDR Biologics co-founders Derek Mason and Simon Friedensohn
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Basel-based deepCDR Biologics is an ETH spin-off that harnesses the power of deep learning to move beyond experimental screening used in traditional therapeutic antibody discovery and engineering processes. The startup provides a faster and more efficient method for the development of next-generation antibody drugs used to improve cancer therapy and treat immunological disorders and infectious diseases. In collaboration with ETH Zurich, deepCDR has responded to the ongoing global pandemic by using their technology to discover highly potent and neutralizing antibodies for the treatment of COVID-19.
Currently, drug-developers searching for new therapeutic antibodies use time-consuming experimental screening processes that can take years to develop a handful of candidates ready for clinical trials. deepCDR’s co-founders Derek Mason, Simon Friedensohn, Cédric Weber, Sai Reddy, and André Mercanzini combine gene editing, deep sequencing, and deep learning to radically accelerate the therapeutic antibody discovery process, an existing service market expect to grow to USD 2.8 billion in the next seven years. deepCDR Biologics’ technology platform allows the discovery and production of several thousands of optimized lead candidates within months, increasing both the speed and throughput of conventional approaches by up to 10 to 100-fold. Furthermore, these new processes are highly scalable and allow running multiple drug discovery and optimization campaigns for a fraction of the costs.
“Since receiving the first ‘kick’ back in September 2019, Venture Kick’s guidance and support have been essential for deepCDR Biologics’ early growth and client acquisition,” said Derek Mason, deepCDR Biologics co-founder. The startup is already working with several biotech and pharmaceutical companies and plans on using the Venture Kick funds to continue expanding their team of experimental and computational scientists as well as increasing their operational capacity to accommodate their growing customer base.
Currently, drug-developers searching for new therapeutic antibodies use time-consuming experimental screening processes that can take years to develop a handful of candidates ready for clinical trials. deepCDR’s co-founders Derek Mason, Simon Friedensohn, Cédric Weber, Sai Reddy, and André Mercanzini combine gene editing, deep sequencing, and deep learning to radically accelerate the therapeutic antibody discovery process, an existing service market expect to grow to USD 2.8 billion in the next seven years. deepCDR Biologics’ technology platform allows the discovery and production of several thousands of optimized lead candidates within months, increasing both the speed and throughput of conventional approaches by up to 10 to 100-fold. Furthermore, these new processes are highly scalable and allow running multiple drug discovery and optimization campaigns for a fraction of the costs.
“Since receiving the first ‘kick’ back in September 2019, Venture Kick’s guidance and support have been essential for deepCDR Biologics’ early growth and client acquisition,” said Derek Mason, deepCDR Biologics co-founder. The startup is already working with several biotech and pharmaceutical companies and plans on using the Venture Kick funds to continue expanding their team of experimental and computational scientists as well as increasing their operational capacity to accommodate their growing customer base.