Anergis Winner of the Life Sciences Prize 2013

The prize of CHF 10'000, awarded for the tenth time, is under the patronage of the Swiss Biotech Association and BioValley Basel. The life sciences prize is awarded yearly to a young Swiss company in the Biotech, Pharma and Medtech sectors. Sponsors of the Swiss Life Sciences Prize are BB Biotech Ventures, Novartis Venture Fund and Venture Incubator.

Anergis is a Swiss-based biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery and development of novel, proprietary allergy vaccines. Allergies are the most prevalent and fastest growing chronic conditions in the industrialized world affecting over 500 million people. Anergis’ lead product AllerT, a vaccine against birch pollen allergies, has successfully completed a Phase IIb study. A Phase III trial is planned to start in 2014. Two additional vaccines against ragweed pollen allergies and house dust mite allergies are in preclinical development.

As Philippe Dro, CEO of GlycoVaxyn and member of the jury, stated: "We are impressed how the Anergis team made progress in an area often neglected by the industry and is on its way to making a significant contribution to the field of vaccines. With the combination of a technology, a motivated team and financing from Swiss sources, Anergis presents a great showcase for practical possibilities for start-ups in Switzerland."

The previous years' winners were ProteoMediX AG, Schlieren (2012) BioVersys AG, Basel (2011), GenKyoTex SA, Geneva (2010), Endosense SA, Meyrin (2009), EyeSense AG, Basel (2008), Pevion Biotech AG, Ittigen (2007), GlycoVaxyn AG, Schlieren (2006), mondoBIOTECH AG, Stans (2005) and ESBATech AG, Schlieren (2004).