Start Codon

Start Codon is a Cambridge-based accelerator established in 2019, focusing on pre and seed-stage investments in healthcare and life science start-ups. The organization identifies innovative and disruptive companies globally and provides seed funding to help them develop. By leveraging the resources of the Cambridge Cluster, Start Codon aims to mitigate risks and enhance the success of these start-ups through its business venture building and accelerator program. Through this approach, it supports the growth and advancement of promising life science enterprises.

Jason Mellad Ph.D

Co-Founder, CEO and Board Member

Daniel Rooke

Co-Founder and COO

7 past transactions

TRIMTECH Therapeutics

Seed Round in 2025
TRIMTECH Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing targeted protein degradation therapies to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Their innovative platform aims to degrade toxic protein aggregates, offering oral therapeutics with high specificity, a strong safety profile, and potential for personalized treatment approaches. This enables patients to access effective and safe treatments for neurological, inflammatory, and oncological conditions.

Awen Oncology

Seed Round in 2024
Awen Oncology is a pre-clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel cancer therapies. It specializes in targeting 'developmentally-silent oncogenic drivers', which are genes that contribute to cancer growth but are not typically targeted by existing treatments. The company's approach combines expertise in cell and molecular biology with advanced structural biology and in-silico drug screening to rapidly and efficiently identify and develop effective cancer treatments.

NK:IO

Seed Round in 2023
NK:IO is a biotechnology company focused on advancing innovative strategies for natural killer cell-mediated immunotherapy. It specializes in the development of both cell therapies and small molecule therapeutics, with a primary emphasis on cancer treatment. By harnessing the capabilities of natural killer cells, NK:IO aims to enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies, providing physicians with improved tools to combat the disease. The company's commitment to research and development positions it at the forefront of immunotherapy advancements in the oncology field.

coding.bio

Seed Round in 2022
Coding.bio provides AI for cell therapies through automation and computation. They work at the intersection of computation, synthetic biology, and cell therapy. They also provide curative therapeutics for patients.

Enhanc3D Genomics

Seed Round in 2021
Enhanc3D Genomics is a biotechnology firm focused on functional genomics, specifically examining the three-dimensional organization of DNA and its implications in health and disease. The company has developed the GenLink3D platform, which facilitates large-scale analysis of genetic variations and gene function by providing high-resolution profiles of genome folding for all genes and their enhancers simultaneously. This innovative technology enables researchers to understand the impact of genetic mutations on distant genes, thereby elucidating their role in disease progression. By advancing knowledge in this area, Enhanc3D Genomics supports the development of novel drug therapies aimed at addressing significant unmet medical needs.

Spirea

Seed Round in 2020
Spirea Ltd is a healthcare technology company based in Harrogate, United Kingdom, focused on developing innovative antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer treatment. Established in 2015, Spirea has created a smart polymer platform that enhances the controlled delivery of drug combinations, aiming to maximize the clinical efficacy of therapies. The company's flexible approach to ADC design allows for a greater amount of drug payload to be precisely targeted at tumor cells, increasing therapeutic effects while significantly minimizing adverse side effects. This advancement enables healthcare providers to offer well-tolerated treatment options for a variety of cancer types, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Semarion

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Semarion is a company that emerged from the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, focusing on innovations at the intersection of physical and life sciences. It specializes in the development of a drug discovery platform utilizing advanced microcarrier technology to enhance the process of adherent cell screening. By integrating materials engineering with cell biology, Semarion offers unique, magnetically steerable microcarriers that support small cell colonies. This innovative approach facilitates more efficient and powerful assay workflows, positioning researchers to expedite the identification of drugs, particularly for GPCR-targeting oncology applications. Semarion aims to address unmet needs in drug screening and accelerate the advancement of new therapeutic options.
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