Dr. Sebastian Pünzeler

Abalos Therapeutics has harnessed the unique immune stimulation of the arenavirus to develop a novel anti-cancer approach that provides the full breadth of the immune system’s power specifically against cancer cells. Through viral replication within cancer cells, Abalos’ arenavirus-based drug candidates are designed to awake precise innate and adaptive immune responses and activate all relevant immune cell types against primary tumors and metastases. Led by experienced biotech entrepreneurs and immunology pioneers, Abalos’ goal is to achieve a quantum leap in immuno-oncology.

Cardior Pharmaceuticals is a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery and development of RNA-based therapeutics designed to prevent, repair and reverse diseases of the heart. Cardior’s therapeutic approach uses distinctive non-coding RNAs as an innovative platform for addressing the root causes of cardiac dysfunctions. The company aspires to bring transformative therapeutics and diagnostics to patients and thereby make a lasting impact on the treatment of cardiac diseases worldwide. As of May 2, 2024 Cardior Pharmaceuticals GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Novo Nordisk Region Europe A/S.

Tubulis® generates uniquely matched protein-drug conjugates by combining proprietary novel technologies with disease-specific biology. Our goal is to expand the therapeutic potential of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) ushering in a new era and delivering better outcomes for patients. We will advance a range of conjugates, unlimited by indication, using our own discovery capabilities and by solving development challenges for partners with both antibody and chemical assets.

Thermosome is a clinical-stage drug development company focused on targeted tumor therapy combined with immune stimulation for improved cancer therapy. At its core is a novel, proprietary tumor targeting approach that allows for significantly increased local drug concentrations and improved tumor penetration to achieve improved clinical treatment efficacy. Thermosome’s lead drug candidate THE001 is a thermosensitive liposomal formulation of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DPPG2-TSL-DOX). It has a different mode of action than conventional liposomes. Thermosome's technology enables intravascular drug release initiated by a mild heat trigger using clinically established hyperthermia devices. This results in an up to 15-fold higher local drug concentrations in the tumor and aims to improve clinical treatment efficacy by creating a local boost at the desired site of action. These high local concentrations, which also reach less well perfused areas, aim to overcome drug resistance. This effect cannot be achieved by administration of conventional doxorubicin due to systemic toxicity. Thermosome intends to further enhance treatment efficacy through an additive immune response induced by regional hyperthermia. The first clinical indication for its lead drug candidate THE001 is soft tissue sarcoma, where the company aims to improve the current standard of care (free doxorubicin). Thermosome´s approach enables targeted tumor treatment independent of specific molecular targets and covers patient populations across all tumor subtypes. THE001 has further development potential in other anthracycline-sensitive solid tumors, such as breast cancer, bladder cancer or ovarian carcinoma.

Protembis is an Aachen, Germany based medical device startup. It develops a novel catheter-based filter device for use during cardiac interventions. The device is designed to minimize the risk of stroke and other neurological injury during these interventions – particularly during transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures (TAVR/ TAVI). The filter blocks embolic debris from entering the blood vessels leading to the brain. The initial safety and feasibility of the ProtEmbo® device has been demonstrated in a first-in-human study in 2017/ 2018. The imaging data of the study suggests that the ProtEmbo® device decreases the risk of brain injury by up to 90%. Protembis has closed an oversubscribed $10M Series A financing round in 2018 and expects to bring its product to market maturity with this round. Therefore the team plans to conduct further clinical studies in heart centers in Europe and the U.S. The ProtEmbo® device is not yet commercially available.

fasciotens is a dynamic medical device start-up founded by surgeons for surgeons with the goal of improving open abdomen therapy. Our first product fasciotens®Abdomen was intensively developed for new indications, so that today fasciotens®Hernia and fasciotens®Pediatric are available in addition to fasciotens®Abdomen. The innovative fasciotens products use a patented, tissue-sparing technique to apply vertical traction to the fasciae of the abdominal wall, thus creating the conditions for direct abdominal wall closure in cases of open abdomens, complex hernias as well as abdominal wall defects of newborns. For more information, please feel free to visit our website or contact us directly at info@fasciotens.de. We look forward to hearing from you!

HepaRegeniX GmbH is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel therapies for the treatment of acute and chronic liver diseases.

Apollo Health Ventures is a transatlantic early stage Venture Capital firm actively co-founding and investing in transformative healthcare companies targeting age-related diseases and aging itself.

Abalos Therapeutics has harnessed the unique immune stimulation of the arenavirus to develop a novel anti-cancer approach that provides the full breadth of the immune system’s power specifically against cancer cells. Through viral replication within cancer cells, Abalos’ arenavirus-based drug candidates are designed to awake precise innate and adaptive immune responses and activate all relevant immune cell types against primary tumors and metastases. Led by experienced biotech entrepreneurs and immunology pioneers, Abalos’ goal is to achieve a quantum leap in immuno-oncology.

Cardior Pharmaceuticals is a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery and development of RNA-based therapeutics designed to prevent, repair and reverse diseases of the heart. Cardior’s therapeutic approach uses distinctive non-coding RNAs as an innovative platform for addressing the root causes of cardiac dysfunctions. The company aspires to bring transformative therapeutics and diagnostics to patients and thereby make a lasting impact on the treatment of cardiac diseases worldwide. As of May 2, 2024 Cardior Pharmaceuticals GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Novo Nordisk Region Europe A/S.

Tubulis® generates uniquely matched protein-drug conjugates by combining proprietary novel technologies with disease-specific biology. Our goal is to expand the therapeutic potential of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) ushering in a new era and delivering better outcomes for patients. We will advance a range of conjugates, unlimited by indication, using our own discovery capabilities and by solving development challenges for partners with both antibody and chemical assets.