Booster Therapeutics is a Berlin-based biotech using its DGRADX™ platform to discover small-molecule proteasome activators that restore the cell’s natural protein quality-control system. Unlike targeted protein degraders that rely on ubiquitin-tagging and the 26S proteasome, Booster’s compounds directly stimulate the 20S proteasome, enabling simultaneous clearance of multiple misfolded or disordered proteins. The company has built a substantial library of activators and is advancing a multi-disease pipeline initially focused on Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Its lead program aims to enter first-in-human Phase 1 trials by re-establishing proteasome function in neurodegenerative patients. Booster was founded by Dr. Diogo Feleciano, Prof. Dr. Darci Trader, and Apollo Health Ventures, with additional backing from Novo Holdings. The firm positions its approach as addressing the root biological drivers of age-related proteinopathies, potentially offering broad therapeutic benefit across complex diseases.

Total raised

$20M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Grant

Latest activity

Nov 2025