MucosaTec Triumphs in Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Challenge at SPRIN-D Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation
MucosaTec’s Groundbreaking Platform Technology Wins Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Challenge After 3 Years of Pioneering Research.
Winners got announced October 10-11 2024 in Leipzig
In October 2023, Prof. Daniel Lauster (FU Berlin), Dr. Marius Hittinger (PharmBioTec), and Dr. Anja Himmelstein (FU Berlin) gathered in the small town of Blieskastel, Saarland, with a shared goal: to found MucosaTec GmbH and pursue the vision of developing a groundbreaking antiviral platform.
Their technology is based on a biomolecule that binds to mucus on one side and viruses on the other. What sets this biomolecule apart is its flexibility in adapting to different viruses. Currently, the biomolecule is in preclinical development for the treatment and prevention of influenza.
In 2023, MucosaTec successfully competed in the SPRIN-D (Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation) challenge, securing funding of €2.5 million.
A year later, on October 10, 2024, SPRIN-D named MucosaTec as one of the four winners of the “Broad-Spectrum Antivirals” challenge. Other winners included iGUARD from Fraunhofer ITEM, CPTx, and Avocet Bio.
Reflecting on the journey, Marius Hittinger, CEO of MucosaTec, said: “At the time of founding the company, we had no certainty that we would receive any funding and took a significant risk. It was far from easy, and we were grateful for every bit of support along the way. What I admire most is our team. Who gives up a well-paid job to roll up their sleeves and work in a start-up? That kind of courage and teamwork is now being rewarded.”
What comes next? With the challenge completed, the initial funding has come to an end. MucosaTec GmbH is now actively seeking investors with the vision and courage to support innovative drug development. Looking ahead, Anja Himmelstein summarizes: “We now have the opportunity to move beyond research and bring an innovative product to market maturity.”
MucosaTec’s founders before the final challenge pitch in the SPRIN-D headquarter in Leipzig.
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