Vera Mehler

Refoxy Pharma is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company developing medicines for the treatment and prevention of aging and aging-associated diseases.

FundaMental Pharma is engaged in pioneering research around a breakthrough molecular mechanism that allows to safely counteract glutamate neurotoxicity (also known as excitotoxicity) by specifically targeting the interface between NMDA receptors and TRPM4 channels with small molecule TwinF interface inhibitors (Yan et al., Science 2020). TwinF interface inhibitors constitute an entirely new class of drugs that safely ameliorate glutamate neurotoxicity, a common cause of neurodegeneration. Our initial focus is on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The applicability of our molecules extends to a range of neurogenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

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.

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.

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.

Refoxy Pharma is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company developing medicines for the treatment and prevention of aging and aging-associated diseases.

NRW.BANK is the development bank for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It supports its owner – the state of North Rhine-Westphalia – in fulfilling its tasks, notably in the fields of structural, economic, social and housing policy. NRW.BANK pools the promotion and development programmes of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union and combines them with its own equity and debt products and advisory services. It offers the full range of financial products in three areas “Economy”, “Housing”, and “Infrastructure/Municipalities”. NRW.BANK operates in a competitively neutral manner as a partner of banks and savings banks.

FundaMental Pharma is engaged in pioneering research around a breakthrough molecular mechanism that allows to safely counteract glutamate neurotoxicity (also known as excitotoxicity) by specifically targeting the interface between NMDA receptors and TRPM4 channels with small molecule TwinF interface inhibitors (Yan et al., Science 2020). TwinF interface inhibitors constitute an entirely new class of drugs that safely ameliorate glutamate neurotoxicity, a common cause of neurodegeneration. Our initial focus is on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The applicability of our molecules extends to a range of neurogenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

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.