Abologix wins Venture Kick finale

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27.05.2021
Abologix Team

The Geneva-based Abologix is developing a new therapeutic option to treat lymphoma patients who have become resistant to conventional treatments. The startup will use the obtained CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to advance the preclinical development of its product and refine its commercial and competitive positioning. 

B-cell lymphocytes are white blood cells circulating in the bloodstream: They play a critical role in the fight against infections and cancer. However, B-cell lymphocytes can become cancerous and transform into cancer cells, called lymphomas, which can ultimately lead to death. Most available therapies show efficacy in the early stages of treatment, but unfortunately, 80% of patients become resistant to these therapies, rendering treatments ineffective. Certain B-cell lymphoma patients that eventually become resistant to conventional therapy express a JAM-C cell surface protein (Junction Adhesion Molecule C). Therefore, blocking JAM-C has the potential as a new therapeutic option for patients who no longer respond to conventional treatments. 

Abologix is a spin-out from the laboratories at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) that has developed a new monoclonal antibody, code-named H225, that blocks the function of JAM-C. In preclinical in vivo animal models, Abologix has shown that treatment with H-225 significantly increases overall survival rates. The antibody has been humanized, and the next steps in its development are advanced preclinical tests and then testing the potential of the molecule in Phase I/IIa clinical trials. The estimated market size for drug-resistant B-cell lymphomas is expected to exceed USD 15 billion in 2025. 

Abologix was founded in 2018 by Ignacio Faus, an experienced pharma and biotech entrepreneur; Beat Imhof, professor at the University of Geneva and the leading expert in the field of JAM-C biochemistry/immunology; and Thomas Matthes, a resident physician at the University of Geneva hospital with a speciality in hematological cancers. 

The recently obtained CHF 150’000 will be used to advance the preclinical development of its product, refine its commercial and competitive positioning, and strengthen its business development and fundraising efforts. 

“We are extremely happy to have been selected by Venture Kick to receive a CHF 150,000 CHF convertible loan. The funds will be used to advance the development of our asset and for advanced commercial and business development efforts. We are also very thankful to Venture Kick for their coaching and help in building our business case and for all the invaluable assistance received at the two Kickers Camps that we attended,” said Ignacio Faus, president of Abologix. 

(Press release)
Photo L-R: Beat Imhof, Ignacio Faus, and Thomas Matthes

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