This immunotherapy strengthens the body’s own immune system to destroy cancer cells. According to a press release from the University of Zurich (UZH), it is one of the most promising cancer treatments at the moment. Two researchers have established a startup and now plan to create an innovative immunotherapy based on an antibody they have developed.
One of the founders is Onur Boyman, an immunologist at University Hospital Zurich and the UZH. For the past decade, he has been working on the development of an antibody called NARA1, which can increase the efficacy of Interleukin-2, an endogenous signalling molecule in the immune system. It should help the molecule destroy cancer cells and at the same time reduce the undesirable side effects.
Boyman founded the startup Anaveon together with Andreas Katopodis, Director at Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research in Basel. The startup’s aim is to test NARA1 in clinical trials and continue its development into a cancer drug. “If the trials deliver positive results, it could be approved in five or six years,” comments Katopodis. First, the partners intend to focus on drugs to treat malignant melanoma as well as renal cell and lung carcinoma.
Boyman and Katopodis received financial support from UZH Life Sciences Fund and BaseLaunch in order to establish Anaveon. The two support initiatives from Zurich and Basel back startups in the early development stage and endeavour to drive innovation forward as a result.
More News
Meet with an expansion expert
Our services are free of charge and include:
- Introduction to key contacts in industry, academia, and government
- Advice on regulatory framework, taxes, labor, market, and setting up a company
- Custom-made fact-finding visits, including office and co-working space