• Umlaut.bio

  Led · Seed · Feb 2026

  Founded in 2024, Umlaut.bio is a German/Swiss oncology and immunology biotech focused on creating first-in-biology small molecules that inhibit key steps in tRNA modification synthesis. By blocking this previously untapped regulatory layer, the company aims to prevent the overactivation of multiple signalling pathways that drive uncontrolled cell proliferation in cancer and autoimmune diseases. Initial therapeutic programmes include indications such as systemic sclerosis alongside broader oncology targets. Umlaut.bio is strengthening its scientific expertise through the addition of Prof. Dr. Oliver Distler, an authority on systemic sclerosis, and Prof. Dr. Tsutomu Suzuki, a leading researcher in tRNA biology, to its Scientific Advisory Board. The company plans to leverage these advisers and the network of accelerator BaseLaunch to push its candidates from preclinical research toward clinical development. Umlaut.bio has secured roughly €3 million in pre-Seed financing to fund these efforts, positioning it within the typical early-stage funding range for European platform biotechs.

• NXI Therapeutics

  Participated · Seed · Jun 2024

  NXI Therapeutics is a spin-off from the Biozentrum at the University of Basel focused on developing disruptive immunotherapies by modulating coronin 1 in immune cells. In preclinical models, coronin 1 depletion enables long-term acceptance of genetically unrelated organ transplants, prevents graft-versus-host disease, and protects against several autoimmune disorders while preserving a normal lifespan without infections or cancer. The company is targeting clinical applications in T cell–mediated autoimmune conditions and transplantation medicine. NXI has received support from Venture Kick, BaseLaunch, Innobooster, an InnoBooster grant from the Gebert Rüf Foundation and a Propelling grant from the University of Basel. It has extended its pre-seed financing to CHF 3.5 million and is currently raising a larger Seed financing. Lead investor JFG Life Sciences Foundation participated in the extension and Kickfund, BaseLaunch and Venture Kick are named participants; Patrick Burgermeister of JFG will join NXI’s board.

• Engimmune Therapeutics

  Participated · Seed · May 2022

  Engimmune Therapeutics is a Basel, Switzerland-based biotech developing novel T-cell receptor (TCR)-based therapeutics using a platform that combines genome editing, functional high-throughput screening, deep sequencing and machine learning. Its platform aims to engineer potent and specific TCR-T cell and soluble TCR therapies, with lead products focused on oncology and potential to expand into autoimmune diseases. The company is a spinout from the lab of Prof Sai Reddy at ETH Zurich and lists Dr Rodrigo Vazquez-Lombardi as Chief Scientific Officer and Søren Mouritsen as CEO. Engimmune intends to use its recent funding to further build its pipeline, expand the research team in Switzerland and establish a presence in Denmark, with a focus on GMP-certified manufacturing, clinical development and regulatory affairs. The platform is designed to address key efficacy and safety challenges that currently limit the potential of TCR-T cell and soluble TCR therapeutics. The company announced the appointment of TCR pioneer Dr Bent Jakobsen as Chairman of the Board.

No current team members are available.