AliperTherapeutics has been crowned the winner of the fifth edition of the Boldbrain Challenge at Lugano’s Palazzo dei Congressi. The spin-off from the Institute of Oncology Research in Bellinzona, which is affiliated with the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), develops a pharmacologic treatment for prostate cancer. The drug consists of bacteria and aims to help standard therapies to be more effective. According to a press release from the USI, Aliper will receive 40,000 Swiss francs in prize money, a full scholarship for an Executive Masters in Business Administration at the USI, and a voucher for legal advice from Zurich-based corporate law firm Bär & Karrer amounting to 5,000 Swiss francs.
Second place and a check for 30,000 Swiss francs went to AQUAtryp by Healiva based in Lugano. AQUAtryp is an innovative spray used to treat chronic wounds. Zario received 20,000 Swiss francs for third place. The digital wellness platform combines psychology and gamification with daily challenges.
Fourth place was taken by Effetto Venturi with its drone buoys, which can be remotely controlled and moved using an internet app and are able to hold their position without an anchor. Fifth place and the public award, both endowed with a sum of 10,000 Swiss francs, went to Revozona from Hallwil in the canton of Aargau. The startup uses ozone gas to clean materials used to manufacture clothing, with reported savings of 90 percent of CO2 and water as well as more than 40 percent of energy and chemicals.
The top three companies can take part in the Swiss Economic Award and MassChallenge Switzerland. Additionally, they will receive coaching vouchers from Connect Switzerland and consultation days at yourCFO. All finalists will receive a voucher from the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property for an initial supported patent search.
This accelerator program is organized by AGIRE, the innovation agency of the canton of Ticino, with the support of the USI Startup Centre and sponsored by the Ticino Department of Economy & Finance and the cantonal bank BancaStato.
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