Venture Kick Provides ALP Bio with 150,000 Swiss Francs

(CONNECT) The startup incubator Venture Kick has provided ALP Bio (both based in Schlieren) with 150,000 Swiss francs in funding. According to a press release, the startup plans to further develop its platform for detecting immune responses to antibodies.

ALP Bio has developed human tonsil organoids in vitro and combined these models with artificial intelligence (AI). The self-learning system is designed to help drug developers assess and prevent the risks of immune reactions associated with antibodies at an early stage. This could help avoid costly testing and the termination of research programs in the late stages of development. According to studies, this so-called immunogenicity is considered one of the greatest risks in research, where approximately 3,000 antibody candidates reach the clinical trial phase each year. Setbacks are expected to result in costs amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. According to estimates, the market for immunogenicity tests is projected to reach approximately $6.5 billion by 2030.

With the funding it has now received from Venture Kick, ALP Bio plans to finance its first pilot projects with pharmaceutical partners. “Venture Kick challenged us at every stage, just like real investors would, helped us refine our story, and opened doors that we couldn’t have opened on our own,” says Punit Mehra. Co-founder and CBO of ALP Bio, as quoted in the press release. “Winning all three rounds is a strong endorsement of what we’re building and gives us the means to prove it together with our initial partners.” ce/ww