Akribion Therapeutics (“Akribion”) has raised €8 million in seed funding to accelerate the development of its RNA-guided, nuclease-based cell depletion technology. This funding will support the company’s efforts in refining its proprietary G-dase® E nucleases, which target and destroy specific cells while leaving healthy ones unharmed.
The round was led by CARMA FUND and RV Invest, with participation from MP Beteiligungs GmbH, Hessen Kapital I, Bruker Invest, and High-Tech Gründerfonds. The valuation details remain undisclosed.
Akribion’s innovative G-dase® E technology is designed to precisely target and eliminate cells based on their RNA sequences. Unlike conventional treatments, this approach ensures that only intended cells are destroyed, significantly reducing side effects. This breakthrough could lead to more effective and safer therapies for various diseases.
Dr. Paul Scholz, the inventor of G-dase® E, discovered the technology while at BRAIN Biotech AG and now leads Akribion’s Research and Development. His involvement is expected to further drive advancements in the company’s pipeline.
Initially, Akribion is focusing on HPV-induced Oropharyngeal Head & Neck Cancer (OPSCC), but its technology holds promise for multiple applications, including:
By modifying the guide RNA, Akribion’s platform can quickly adapt to target different diseases, making it significantly more flexible than traditional therapeutic approaches.
The fresh capital will accelerate in vivo proof-of-concept studies, validating the effectiveness of Akribion’s platform. These studies will be a crucial step in moving towards clinical trials.
Beyond research, the funds will also support team expansion and strategic collaborations aimed at optimizing and commercializing Akribion’s RNA-guided therapies. The company is expected to further develop partnerships with industry leaders to fast-track its innovative treatments.
Akribion is led by Co-CEOs Dr. Michael Krohn and Lukas Linnig, who bring extensive expertise in biotechnology and business development. The company’s Board Chair, Dr. Adel Nada, is a seasoned biotech executive and venture partner at Volnay Therapeutics.
The Board of Directors includes:
Key management members driving Akribion’s success include:
Dr. Martin Raditsch, General Partner at CARMA FUND, highlighted the potential impact of Akribion’s technology: “Akribion’s unique technology enables the creation of a new class of oncology therapeutics. We are looking forward to working alongside this enthusiastic team to develop new cancer treatments with improved outcomes for patients in this prevalent and hard to treat indication.”
Dr. Aleksei Zeifman, Investment Director at RV Invest, added: “TWe’re thrilled to support Akribion’s entrepreneurial team as they seek to unlock the full potential of their unique technology. The high adaptability of the G-Dase® E platform makes it a perfect tool to leverage our emerging knowledge of the genomic signatures of diseases across various therapeutic areas.”
