We featured 10 biotech startups on Startups.Bio during the final quarter of 2020. Below is the full list. You can also head over to the VentureRadar Database to find 1000s of similar companies.
Ambagon Therapeutics aims to develop first in class protein-protein interaction stabilizer drugs as novel targeted cancer treatments. Ambagon says its approach opens up novel target space as well as having an innovative mechanism of action. Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are one of the core processes by which cells function and interact with their environment, making them very interesting targets for modulation by small molecules. There is significant ongoing development of PPI inhibition as a therapeutic strategy. However, Ambagon is taking a new approach and applying its expertise towards PPI stabilization … Read more
Founded by a team of researchers from Harvard University, i2O Therapeutics is developing a platform to enable oral delivery of traditionally injectable biological drugs, such as peptides and proteins. The company’s platform enables drugs that traditionally would not survive the hostile environment of the digestive system to pass through safely by utilizing a unique coating that dissolves in the small intestine, thereby releasing the active drug. i2O’s initial focus is on developing a novel oral formulation for GLP-1 analogs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes … Read more
Avrion Therapeutics targets genetically-linked neurodegenerative diseases using precision gene therapy to enable long-term solutions. Founded in 2020, based on more than 10 years of research at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology EPFL Brain Mind Institute, Avrion says its first-in-class precision gene therapy platform can selectively and safely target discrete cells in the brain including neurons and astrocytes … Read more
Initium Therapeutics was established to develop innovative antibody-based therapeutics, including pursuing new therapeutic targets in fibrosis, immuno-oncology and hemophilia. Initium was established in June of 2020 as a spin-off of South Korea-based Tiumbio in order to expand its capability to antibody drug development platforms. Initium says that using its unique antibody development platforms of DNA immunization technology and AbCassette-High express system it generates more diverse antigen-specific B cell repertoire and expedites screening of functional therapeutic antibodies, which mostly recognize very challenging small and complex conformational epitopes of membrane associated protein targets such as GPCRs (G protein coupled receptors), to treat unaddressed rare diseases … Read more
Clarametyx Biosciences is targeting a universal structure within biofilms in order to eliminate bacterial defenses and drastically increase their vulnerability to immune or antibiotic intervention. Founded n 2020, Clarametyx is focused on addressing the challenge of biofilm-associated infections. These infections are often resistant to immune response or standard antibiotic regimens due to an extracellular matrix in the biofilm that protects the bacteria, contributing to persistent, harmful inflammatory responses, as well as extended duration and severity of disease. The Clarametyx platform is designed to precisely remove a universal, pathogen-agnostic target within this matrix, rapidly and effectively collapsing the protective shield and sensitizing bacteria to immune and antibiotic attack … Read more
Founded in 2020, Myricx Pharma is developing small molecule inhibitors that selectively target the human N-myristoyltransferases (NMT) in cancer. The company is also exploring potential applications across other diseases. Based on research from Imperial College London and the Francis Crick Institute, Myricx says it has uncovered one of the most promising new areas of biology; opening up N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) as a therapeutic target has the potential to for the development of precision medicines for cancer and a range of diseases … Read more
Founded in 2020 as a spin-off from VBI in Belgium, Animab builds on a proprietary platform technology that enables efficient generation of monoclonal antibodies to prevent intestinal infections in farm animals. This new class of orally administered antibodies is designed to improve the health and performance of animals by targeting specific disease-causing pathogens. The company says its biotechnology helps to optimize livestock health management through three key elements: ease of oral administration; minimizing the need for antibiotics; and by providing an alternative to zinc oxide (banned as of 2022 for environmental reasons) … Read more
Founded in 2019, Altay Therapeutics develops small molecule drugs for a wide range of diseases, with a focus on chronic liver diseases like liver fibrosis and liver cancer. The company’s small molecules have potent inhibitor activity against disease-causing transcription factors by disrupting their association with DNA, and according to the company have shown exceptional results in several animal models for fibrotic diseases and several cancers … Read more
Egle Therapeutics is a spin-out of Institut Curie in France, developing immunotherapies targeting suppressor regulatory T cells (Tregs) for oncology and autoimmune diseases. The key element of Egle’s core approach is the leveraging of its translational-based target discovery engine to unveil novel therapeutic Treg targets and vectorize computationally designed resurfaced cytokines acting as antagonists or as selective Treg-agonists. Egle’s flagship program pioneers dis-engagement of tumor-infiltrating Tregs through a proprietary series of IL-2 variants featuring a unique antagonism mechanism of action … Read more
Founded in 2020, US-based Known Medicine is aiming to help oncologists select the best treatment for cancer patients by providing new insights into how patients’ cells will respond to different treatments. The company is an extension of Co-Founder Andrea Mazzocchi’s research at Wake Forest University, where she recently completed a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering … Read more