London, September 2023 - The Innovators Club, a network accelerator programme run by the non-profit Science Entrepreneur Club (SEC), has today announced its fourth cohort welcoming six start-ups innovating across the life sciences.
The start-ups will join the free 2023 programme, running for 10 weeks from mid-September. Alongside a series of expert-led workshops covering topics such as IP, raising investment, grant-writing and pitch training, the programme also consists of informal networking events, 1-to-1 no-detriment sessions with investors, access to specialist mentors and service providers, £5,000 in AWS credits, a bespoke published article by one of SEC’s Science Writers, the opportunity to pitch to the BioCapital Network and the chance to win a prize package worth over £10,000, including rent-free lab space in Co-Laboratories, a central London incubator.
Each company will be joining a close-knit cohort of life science founders, all navigating similar journeys in the early-stage life science ecosystem. Post-programme, Cohort IV companies will join the BioFounder Club and receive continued support from the SEC team. Cohort IV will be in good company as the 17 Innovators Club alumni companies from the prior three cohorts have gone on to raise over £60 million.
We are committed to diversity in the life sciences and we’re proud to share that across all four cohorts, 48% of our companies have at least one woman founder or co-founder.
With special thanks to our sponsors Potter Clarkson (Gold), Amazon Web Services (Gold), FTI Consulting (Silver), Taylor Wessing (Silver), and Gallagher (Bronze).
The Cohort IV start-ups include:
BioMavericks
Founders: Andrew Guo and Cathy Gu
BioMavericks is a biotech company that specialises in the discovery of novel biomarkers for early cancer detection. We employ cutting-edge methodologies that integrate molecular cell biology techniques, bioinformatics analysis, and multi-omics data analysis. This unique combination of in silico and in vitro approaches allows us to navigate the complexity of the disease and pinpoint the most relevant biomarkers.
Our team, a vibrant mix of experienced professionals and enthusiastic young talents from diverse backgrounds and cultures, collaborates closely with world-class institutes to push the boundaries of biomedical innovation. Together, we are shaping a future full of possibilities.
Microneedle Solutions (MNS)
Founders: Henry Dunne and Ian Bartenev
At MNS we are developing vaccine patches to reduce health inequalities globally, by increasing access to life-saving medication, like vaccines, irrespective of location, race, or gender. Our mission is to democratise vaccinations so that those in rural, resource-limited settings no longer die from wholly preventable diseases.
MNS is not just limited to vaccines, our microneedle platform is compatible with a whole host of therapeutic classes, enabling us to fully address the inefficiencies of needle-based administration across the pharmaceutical industry.
PentaBind
Founders: Rory Ryan, Phil Haynes and Miguel Gonzalez Canudas
PentaBind is revolutionising drug development with generative AI and aptamer-based therapeutics. Pharma's struggle to drug disease-enabling proteins has spurred the need for new approaches. Aptamer drugs offer a solution, with unique 3D shapes binding specifically to 'undruggable' proteins, reducing off-target effects and improving cell uptake.
Our generative AI technology accelerates aptamer design by 20-fold, transforming the industry's slow wet-lab experiments. We incorporate relevant characteristics early in the drug design stage, and save time during lead optimization. We're developing our own drug pipeline and also working with partners.
Zonova Animal Health
Founder: Georgia Fleet
Prevent infections. Protect animals. Preserve antibiotics.
Our aim is to eliminate the need for antibiotics in veterinary care and help in the fight against the antimicrobial resistance crisis from the animal sector. Using patented technology we have developed a range of antimicrobial medical devices for veterinary use. Rather than relying on treating infections with antibiotics, we prevent them instead.
Stealth Protein Degradation Biotech
Founder: Roberto Hofmann
A preclinical stealth biotech developing a highly modular ubiquitin-independent targeted protein degradation platform. Their novel mode of action allows for the rapid development of treatments for disease indications lacking any effective treatment options. With ambitions across disease spaces, they are starting with various forms of currently untreatable blindness.
Stealth Immunotherapy Biotech
Founders: Elisa Arthofer and Loïc Roux
A preclinical innovative immuno-oncology company with a mission to develop groundbreaking immunotherapies for individuals facing advanced, treatment-resistant cancers. Our approach involves leveraging established technologies and harnessing the power of nucleic acid engineering, along with cutting-edge in vivo delivery methods. Our ultimate objective is to transform the immune-suppressive microenvironment within solid tumours to retrain and rejuvenate the body's innate immune system, enabling it to effectively combat cancer.
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