LAURIN

AiCubator

A new way of collaboration in the field of anti-infectives

Often, it is not the lack of groundbreaking ideas that prevents the development of novel, innovative anti-infective drugs. Rather, a lack of funding, development and business experience limits resources for start-ups and scientific groups, discouraging the development of new therapeutic options. AiCuris strongly believes that there is a need to encourage the development of more early projects based on new scientific principles to fill pipeline gaps, tackle AMR and prevent future pandemics. Therefore, we are constantly searching for novel technologies and creative approaches to develop more effective treatments against infectious diseases with high medical needs.

Introduction
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Converting Great ideas into Reality

To promote early ideas that might lead to the next resistant breaking antibiotic or anti-infective, AiCuris has launched the AiCubator, an innovative corporate incubator that provides first-hand and long-term support (up to 3 years) for such research projects from a leader in anti-infective drug development.

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News:

Joint seminar with BANDakademie on 21st June 2023 about angle investment in pharma start-ups   Read more & register

New call to be announced in summer!

Project criteria 

Project description:

  • Drug discovery project in the following indications:
    • Targeted antiviral therapy, especially for:
      • HBV cure
      • HIV cure
      • BK Virus
      • Epstein-Barr virus
      • Adenovirus
      • Pan-Herpesvirus
      • Norovirus
      • Pandemic preparedness solutions (RSV, pan-respiratory viruses)
    •  Antibacterial (non-small molecule) therapy for:
      • Bloodstream infections
      • Diabetic foot infections
      • Antimicrobial resistance
      • Osteomyelitis
  •  Novel platform approach in infectious diseases

Project minimal criteria

  • Target identified
  • Preliminary efficacy data
  • Competitive advantage to existing standard of care

Applicant

  • Start-up company
  • Scientific group within a research university/institute

Application for the AiCubator

  • You are an academic group or a recently formed biotech start-up with antiviral or antibacterial projects?
  • You have identified a new breakthrough mechanism of action with supporting data?
  • You want this invention to become a therapy for patients?
  • You are looking for first-hand support and guidance on your way from a partner with proven experience?

We encourage you to apply for AiCubator resident status during our call between October 1st and December 31st, 2022, to get insights into the pharmaceutical business. As one of the leaders in anti-infectives, we offer an expert evaluation of your project and support in topics such as pre-clinical and clinical drug development.

Download AiCubator Application Form 2022.

AiCubator timeline and important deadlines

Up to 3 projects per year are being selected.

All the interested parties will fill in the standard form describing their project status and development plans.

All relevant submissions will be evaluated by AiCuris experts on a number of defined criteria

Best projects will get AiCubator resident status, expert support and guidance for 1 to 3 years

Existing Residents

Every year AiCuris selects up to three projects that are scientifically attractive but too early staged for licensing deals. These projects should focus on areas of high priority in the field of anti-infectives.

Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Germany

Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Germany

Researchers from the Institute for Clinical and Molecular Virology at the Universitätsklinikum Erlangen guided by Prof. Dr. Manfred Marschall in cooperation with academic partners at the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, discovered unique structural and functional properties of the globular domain of the cytomegalovirus-specific nuclear egress complex (NEC), thereby nominating generally the herpesviral NECs as novel potential targets for therapy strategies against herpesvirus infections.

MADAM Therapeutics, Netherlands

MADAM Therapeutics, Netherlands

MADAM Therapeutics, Netherlands Madam Therapeutics is an innovative biotech company from the Netherlands that aims to develop novel antimicrobial therapies. Their AI-driven approach helps to identify specific safe and efficient antimicrobial peptides with strong potential for blood stream infections and topical wounds

Prokaryotics Inc., USA

Prokaryotics Inc., USA

Prokaryotics Inc., USA (a spin-out from from Merck & Co., Inc.) aim to develop a new antibiotic that targets the fundamentally essential biochemical assembly components of the Gram-negative outer membrane, an intrinsic barrier that naturally restricts antibiotic entry and ultimate efficacy. The most promising enzymes target for drug development in this regard is LspA.

Selmod SA, Switzerland

Selmod SA, Switzerland

Selmod SA, Switzerland have developed a novel class of gyrase inhibitors addressing the known target but overcoming fluoroquinolones resistance. With a lead candidate and three further candidates with a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-negative bacteria, Selmod’s project promises to be an innovative approach as a resistance breaking antibiotic.

University of Essen

University of Essen

The University of Essen, Germany have discovered in preclinical studies that specific forms of interferons are more efficient than the standard treatment. Based on that they engineered chimeric interferons with increased antiviral activity. These interferons could improve efficacy of future HBV therapy as well as protection from various viruses, including future pandemics.

AiCubator residents profit from a broad AiCuris Network.

If you have additional questions, please contact us.

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