EMBL Ventures

Topas Therapeutics GmbH is a biotechnology company based in Hamburg, Germany, focused on developing nanoparticle-based therapeutics to address significant unmet medical needs, particularly in autoimmune diseases, allergies, and anti-drug antibodies. The company utilizes its proprietary Topas Particle Conjugates technology platform to induce antigen-specific immune tolerance by leveraging the liver's natural immunological processes. This approach targets liver sinusoidal endothelial cells to promote tolerance against blood-borne antigens. Topas is advancing several clinical-stage programs, with its lead candidate, TPM203, currently in clinical testing for pemphigus vulgaris, an orphan disease. Other therapeutic programs under development include treatments for celiac disease, Type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. The company has established research collaborations with Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Ingelheim to enhance its capabilities in antigen-specific tolerance induction and anti-drug antibodies, respectively. Topas Therapeutics was incorporated in 2013 and is dedicated to finding innovative solutions for chronic immunological conditions.

Topas Therapeutics GmbH is a biotechnology company based in Hamburg, Germany, focused on developing nanoparticle-based therapeutics to address significant unmet medical needs, particularly in autoimmune diseases, allergies, and anti-drug antibodies. The company utilizes its proprietary Topas Particle Conjugates technology platform to induce antigen-specific immune tolerance by leveraging the liver's natural immunological processes. This approach targets liver sinusoidal endothelial cells to promote tolerance against blood-borne antigens. Topas is advancing several clinical-stage programs, with its lead candidate, TPM203, currently in clinical testing for pemphigus vulgaris, an orphan disease. Other therapeutic programs under development include treatments for celiac disease, Type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. The company has established research collaborations with Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Ingelheim to enhance its capabilities in antigen-specific tolerance induction and anti-drug antibodies, respectively. Topas Therapeutics was incorporated in 2013 and is dedicated to finding innovative solutions for chronic immunological conditions.

Crescendo Biologics Limited is a Cambridge-based company focused on developing innovative therapies for oncology and dermatology, particularly through small molecules and monoclonal antibodies. The company specializes in multi-specific immune-oncology modulators and Humabody Drug Conjugates, leveraging a proprietary transgenic mouse platform that facilitates the in vivo maturation of human VH domains. This technology allows Crescendo to optimize the affinity and biophysical properties of its Humabodies, which are small antibody fragments retaining essential binding capabilities. By addressing challenges in generating high-affinity, soluble human VH antibody fragments, Crescendo aims to develop potent, multi-functional therapeutics. The company engages in both in-house product development and partnerships with other organizations to expand its impact in the field of antibody therapeutics. Established in 2007, Crescendo Biologics was originally named Translocus Limited before rebranding in 2009.

As of March 13, 2019, Arsanis, Inc. was acquired by X4 Pharmaceuticals Inc., in a reverse merger transaction. Arsanis, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on applying monoclonal antibody (mAb) immunotherapies to address infectious diseases in the United States. The company engages in the development of ASN500, a mAb that is in preclinical development targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a virus that can cause respiratory tract infections in young children and elderly, and immunocompromised patients. Its pipeline also comprises mAbs targeting various serious bacterial and viral pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and RSV. In addition, the company’s preclinical stage Gram-negative mAb programs include ASN300 for Klebsiella pneumoniae and ASN200 for Escherichia coli. Arsanis, Inc. was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Luxendo will manufacture and sell advanced Single Plane Illumination Microscopes (SPIM) originally developed at EMBL by Lars Hufnagel and his team. SPIM is a rapidly emerging technology that combines optical sectioning with multiple-view imaging to observe tissues and living organisms with impressive resolution. Unlike the conventional techniques of widefield and confocal fluorescence microscopy, the light sheet technique illuminates on the region surrounding the focal plane of the detection objective in a twin objective configuration.

Allecra Therapeutics GmbH, founded in 2013 and based in Weil am Rhein, Germany, focuses on developing innovative pharmaceuticals to address gram-negative multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections. The company is currently advancing a novel β-lactamase inhibitor through Phase 2 clinical development. This new treatment aims to counteract the resistance mechanisms of difficult-to-treat bacteria, which are particularly prevalent in hospital-acquired infections. By inhibiting β-lactamases, Allecra's approach directly targets the challenges posed by these resistant strains, providing healthcare providers with effective options to manage infections that may otherwise be inadequately treated. Situated in the BioValley Life Sciences region, Allecra Therapeutics is committed to delivering solutions that can save lives and improve patient outcomes in the face of rising antibiotic resistance.

Topas Therapeutics GmbH is a biotechnology company based in Hamburg, Germany, focused on developing nanoparticle-based therapeutics to address significant unmet medical needs, particularly in autoimmune diseases, allergies, and anti-drug antibodies. The company utilizes its proprietary Topas Particle Conjugates technology platform to induce antigen-specific immune tolerance by leveraging the liver's natural immunological processes. This approach targets liver sinusoidal endothelial cells to promote tolerance against blood-borne antigens. Topas is advancing several clinical-stage programs, with its lead candidate, TPM203, currently in clinical testing for pemphigus vulgaris, an orphan disease. Other therapeutic programs under development include treatments for celiac disease, Type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. The company has established research collaborations with Eli Lilly and Company and Boehringer Ingelheim to enhance its capabilities in antigen-specific tolerance induction and anti-drug antibodies, respectively. Topas Therapeutics was incorporated in 2013 and is dedicated to finding innovative solutions for chronic immunological conditions.

Luxendo will manufacture and sell advanced Single Plane Illumination Microscopes (SPIM) originally developed at EMBL by Lars Hufnagel and his team. SPIM is a rapidly emerging technology that combines optical sectioning with multiple-view imaging to observe tissues and living organisms with impressive resolution. Unlike the conventional techniques of widefield and confocal fluorescence microscopy, the light sheet technique illuminates on the region surrounding the focal plane of the detection objective in a twin objective configuration.

ViraTherapeutics GmbH, founded in 2013 and located in Innsbruck, Austria, specializes in the development of anti-cancer therapeutics utilizing oncolytic viruses. The company's primary product, VSV-GP, is an innovative oncolytic virus designed to effectively target and destroy cancer cells while sparing normal tissues from damage. ViraTherapeutics is currently engaged in preclinical studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VSV-GP, with plans to initiate clinical trials involving cancer patients in the future. In addition to VSV-GP, the company is also focused on developing oncolytic cancer vaccines based on a chimeric virus derived from the vesicular stomatitis virus, advancing the potential of viral therapies in oncology.

ImevaX GmbH is a biopharmaceutical company based in Munich, Germany, established in 2014. The company specializes in developing targeted vaccines to address chronic and nosocomial infections, with a particular focus on immune evasion factors employed by various pathogens. Its lead candidate, IMX 101, is designed to combat Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium responsible for stomach ulcers and gastric cancer in humans. ImevaX's research highlights the role of specific bacterial factors that enable H. pylori to evade the host immune response, prompting further investigation into similar mechanisms in other infectious pathogens. The company's efforts aim to enhance treatment options and improve health outcomes for patients suffering from these persistent infections.

Crescendo Biologics Limited is a Cambridge-based company focused on developing innovative therapies for oncology and dermatology, particularly through small molecules and monoclonal antibodies. The company specializes in multi-specific immune-oncology modulators and Humabody Drug Conjugates, leveraging a proprietary transgenic mouse platform that facilitates the in vivo maturation of human VH domains. This technology allows Crescendo to optimize the affinity and biophysical properties of its Humabodies, which are small antibody fragments retaining essential binding capabilities. By addressing challenges in generating high-affinity, soluble human VH antibody fragments, Crescendo aims to develop potent, multi-functional therapeutics. The company engages in both in-house product development and partnerships with other organizations to expand its impact in the field of antibody therapeutics. Established in 2007, Crescendo Biologics was originally named Translocus Limited before rebranding in 2009.

Opsona Therapeutics is a drug development firm based in Dublin, Ireland, specializing in innovative approaches to immunology. Founded in 2004, the company focuses on developing novel therapeutic strategies that target the innate immune system, which plays a crucial role in various major human diseases. These include autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer, transplant rejection, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and atherosclerosis. By modulating the human innate immune response, Opsona aims to create new drug candidates that can significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients facing these challenging health issues.

Opsona Therapeutics is a drug development firm based in Dublin, Ireland, specializing in innovative approaches to immunology. Founded in 2004, the company focuses on developing novel therapeutic strategies that target the innate immune system, which plays a crucial role in various major human diseases. These include autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancer, transplant rejection, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and atherosclerosis. By modulating the human innate immune response, Opsona aims to create new drug candidates that can significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients facing these challenging health issues.

Allecra Therapeutics GmbH, founded in 2013 and based in Weil am Rhein, Germany, focuses on developing innovative pharmaceuticals to address gram-negative multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections. The company is currently advancing a novel β-lactamase inhibitor through Phase 2 clinical development. This new treatment aims to counteract the resistance mechanisms of difficult-to-treat bacteria, which are particularly prevalent in hospital-acquired infections. By inhibiting β-lactamases, Allecra's approach directly targets the challenges posed by these resistant strains, providing healthcare providers with effective options to manage infections that may otherwise be inadequately treated. Situated in the BioValley Life Sciences region, Allecra Therapeutics is committed to delivering solutions that can save lives and improve patient outcomes in the face of rising antibiotic resistance.

Elara Pharmaceuticals Gmbh provides research and pharmaceutical development services for new anti-cancer drugs. In addition Elara Pharmaceuticals Gmbh has discovered lead series of small, bioactive molecules that have anti-tumour activity, based on inhibitors of estrogen signaling and Aurora kinases. Elara Pharmaceuticals Gmbh was founded in 2006 and is based in Heidelberg, Germany.

Vasopharm GmbH is a biopharmaceutical company based in Würzburg, Germany, that focuses on discovering and developing innovative therapeutics for cerebro- and cardiovascular diseases. Established in 1998, the company targets acute niche indications with significant unmet medical needs, emphasizing clinical efficacy in its drug development efforts. Vasopharm's therapeutic pipeline includes VAS203, an allosteric nitric oxide synthase inhibitor designed to reduce excessive nitric oxide production in cerebral vessels, thereby preventing dangerous increases in intracranial pressure after traumatic brain injury. Another key candidate, VAS2870, is a modulator of NAD(P)H oxidase, aimed at treating peripheral arterial occlusive diseases. Through its research, Vasopharm aims to influence the bioavailability of nitric oxide, a critical cellular signaling molecule involved in various physiological and pathological processes.

Affectis Pharmaceuticals is a company focused on developing innovative drugs aimed at treating neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. The firm specializes in discovering and advancing therapies for psychiatric and inflammatory disorders, drawing on research related to conditions such as depression and schizophrenia. By leveraging scientific insights, Affectis seeks to address unmet medical needs in these challenging areas of healthcare.