“G-Therapeutics will maintain a strong foothold in Lausanne”

In the press release covering your financing round you announce that the general management of G-Therapeutics will be in Eindhoven and not in Lausanne. What are the advantages of Eindhoven?
In contrast to Switzerland, a number of powerful financing tools for start-ups exist in the Netherlands, such as the innovation credit from RVO (G-Therapeutics has secured a EUR 10 million 'innovation loan' from RVO), as well as a facilitated access to EU funding. Eindhoven is a world-renowned hub for medical device companies with a very strong ecosystem of medtech start-ups, especially on the high tech campus were we are located. This facilitates tremendously the constitution of a team of engineers with experience in active implant development.

On the other side, Switzerland is extremely well connected with scientific innovation, this is why we decided to maintain a strong position in Lausanne to ensure close collaboration with EPFL scientists and CHUV clinicians that will be involved in clinical studies.    

Development will also be in Eindhoven. Will some people move from Lausanne to Eindhoven?
The clinical and regulatory team is fully operational in Lausanne. Operations are led by Vincent Delattre and Hendrik Lambert, the clinical and regulatory director. A new team is being set-up in Eindhoven for the implant development.

How many people will work for G-Therapeutics at the end of 2016 in Eindhoven and in Lausanne?
In the Netherland 10 to 15 people, in Switzerland 10 people.

In the press release „G-Therapeutics B.V.“ based in Eindhoven is mentioned. Is this the parent company of the Swiss G-Therapeutics SA?
Yes. G-Therapeutics SA is the initial company incorporated in December 2014. We realized it would be easier to fundraise for a Dutch company, so we decided to create a mother company in the Netherlands. The head office is in Eindhoven and the Lausanne-based G-Therapeutics SA is a 100% daughter company of the Dutch company. The Swiss employees are employed by the SA. 

Of course we are also interested in the development of G-Therapeutics’ product. What is the main challenge on the technological side at the moment?
The main challenge will be the realization of an implantable stimulation system which can adapt its stimulation settings in real-time using motion feedback.

What are the next steps for the company?
The company will focus on the development of a dedicated product and subsequent multi-center clinical studies for CE approval. In parallel to the company product development, the CHUV and EPFL are together preparing a pilot clinical study using based on available implantable components. G-Therapeutics will provide in-kind support for handling regulatory affairs for this clinical study and will support some EPFL researchers via an industrial grant. When the product development is finished, we plan a multi-center clinical study for CE mark, using of course all learnings from the pilot study.

Mr. Deckers, how did you get in touch with the founders of G-Therapeutics?
Vincent asked investors in my former company who were also in discussion with G-Therapeutics, to be introduced to me. After visiting Lausanne and meeting with Prof Courtine and his team at EPFL and at CHUV, I got excited about this group of people and the potential of the technology for this incredible unmet clinical need.