The winner of the Venture Challenge Fall 2019 is BIMINI Biotech
Targeting growth in the fight against cancer
In front of an audience of companies and organisations whose mission is to help realise the further development and growth of the Dutch life sciences industry, the winner of the Venture Challenge was announced. On the stage of the Dutch Life Sciences Conference, BIMINI Biotech became the proud winner of this year’s fall edition. The innovative spin-off from the University Medical Center Utrecht aims to target the growth hormone receptor for the treatment of cancer.
According to the jury, comprised of Carine van den Brink, Carmen van Vilsteren, Brigitte Drees, Celine van Waesberge and Geert-Jan Mulder, BIMINI Biotech has developed a drug discovery platform based on a unique mode of action that targets the GH/IGF-1 axis. Their unique technology can be leveraged to identify therapeutic compounds for a wide range of indications in oncology, metabolic diseases and ageing.
BIMINI Biotech aims to deliver proprietary small molecule drug compounds that target the growth hormone receptor (GHR). Using their novel cell-based assays to assess GHR function they have identified and patented a lead compound for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a growing disease segment with a huge clinical and market need. This compound has shown highly promising in vitro and in vivo efficacy and safety results for TNBC. BIMINI Biotech now aims to leverage this discovery by bringing the compound to the clinic. With a team consisting of a mix of young entrepreneurs, experienced business experts, and renowned scientific key-opinion-leaders they have a combined desire to increase the duration and quality of human life.
Prof. Ger Strous, CSO of BIMINI Biotech: "After years of scientific research in this field, now we have finally identified a breakthrough therapeutic strategy to target the GHR in the fight against cancer."
The Venture Challenge Fall 2019 started in September this year and ended today at the Dutch Life Sciences Conference where BIMINI Biotech takes home the €25.000 prize money to invest in their growth. The other highly-motivated participating teams were: IMcoMET,Incircular Biotechnologies, Goal 3 and Levels Diagnostics. Participating in the Venture Challenge leads to a clear venture plan, as well as to investor-ready pitches. The LifeSciences@Work Accelerator is powered by Health~Holland, Top Sector Life Sciences & Health.
Contact Maurits van den Nieuwboer for more information about BIMINI Biotech.
Venture Challenge Spring 2020:
Call open!
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