Asceneuron, Vanarix and Regenosca are at the forefront of medical innovation, driving progress and offering new hope in their respective fields. Barbara Angehrn Pavik, CEO of Asceneuron, has successfully raised $100 million in a Series C financing round. This funding will advance their lead asset, ASN51, into Phase 2 clinical development for Alzheimer’s disease. ASN51 is a groundbreaking oral small molecule designed to inhibit OGA, an enzyme linked to protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases, offering a potential paradigm shift in treatment options. Vanarix, another innovative company, has secured CHF 4 million to support new clinical trials. This funding will enable the development of their advanced therapies aimed at treating cartilage defects, showcasing their commitment to improving patient outcomes in regenerative medicine. Regenosca has also received fresh funding to further its mission of providing non-invasive regenerative tissue implants, starting with Urethral reconstruction. NetFabric, with Marlene Brakhane among the co-founders, also secured its first VC round to transform landscape monitoring.
Further milestones announced in the biotech sector come from CUTISS AG, which has reported positive interim Phase 2 results for its lead product, denovoSkin, in reconstructive skin surgery, marking a significant milestone in skin regenerative medicine. Additionally, AC Immune, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering precision medicine for neurodegenerative diseases, has received FDA Fast Track designation for its anti-phospho-Tau vaccine targeting Alzheimer’s disease, highlighting its potential to expedite the development of treatments for this debilitating condition. The company’s founder and CEO, Andrea Pfeifer is thrilled to achieve this achievement because it recognizes the potential of its active immunotherapy and its value for patients.
There are few female founders in the web3 space, but the few active ones are picking up pace. An example is Artdeal, which offers a platform for brands to create and manage NFT campaigns, enabling them to engage with customers in the metaverse and Web3 environments. Artdeal has secured new partnerships and is experiencing growth in its operations.
A diverse ecosystem
The Swiss startup ecosystem is generally witnessing a significant surge in female-led innovation, and dedicated support for female-led Startups is growing, a trend reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship. InnoBooster has recently injected CHF 750,000 into five promising projects, including two spearheaded by female founders, Estelle Clerc of CellX Biosolutions and Carolina Paganini of Checktor Biosciences. Exnaton has been selected for the Total Energies On Accelerator program, which will provide valuable resources and industry expertise, aiding its mission to revolutionize the energy sector. The Venture Leaders Cleantech program has also selected ten startups, among which is Riverkin, a female-led company set to participate in an intensive business development journey in Munich. Meanwhile, the FF+ Accelerator program is preparing for its second edition, with a focus on fostering inclusivity and supporting diverse startups. This initiative aims to provide a nurturing environment for ventures led by underrepresented groups, further promoting gender equality in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Three of the four projects in the CSEM accelerator program are led or co-led by women, reflecting their commitment to excellence and diversity. These are: Protonica, a start-up idea developed by Veronica Leccese, Visienco, developed by Lucie Jandet and Jonas Goldowsk & Watchibia, an innovative start-up led by Olga Nijpels-Tishurova. The new InnoQube accelerator also saw the participation of Swinjin, a female-founded SportsTech company. Last month also saw many companies fill their leadership roles. Female-led startup Riverkin, which was until now led by Jessica Droujko expanded its executive team. A female Chief Financial Officer, Tiffany Müller, was welcomed at biotech company Nouscom.
