New and recently funded Medical Startups
1
Country: USA | Funding: $86.9M
Vaccinex develops novel therapeutic antibodies for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Its drugs are based on the inhibition of semaphorin SEMA4D - potent biological effector believed to prevent immune infiltration and induce myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumors, as well as trigger neuroinflammation through reactive gliosis in the brain. The company's lead drug candidate, pepinemab, blocks SEMA4D and has the potential to enhance immune activity against tumors and reprogram underlying pathogenic immune mechanisms that exacerbate damage in chronic neurological diseases such as Asheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. The company is also advancing candidates for the treatment of cervical, pancreatic and lung cancer. Vaccinex uses its proprietary ActivMAb drug discovery platform, which enables the discovery and development of highly selective antibodies with novel mechanisms of action against complex membrane proteins.
Vaccinex develops novel therapeutic antibodies for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Its drugs are based on the inhibition of semaphorin SEMA4D - potent biological effector believed to prevent immune infiltration and induce myeloid-derived suppressor cells in tumors, as well as trigger neuroinflammation through reactive gliosis in the brain. The company's lead drug candidate, pepinemab, blocks SEMA4D and has the potential to enhance immune activity against tumors and reprogram underlying pathogenic immune mechanisms that exacerbate damage in chronic neurological diseases such as Asheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. The company is also advancing candidates for the treatment of cervical, pancreatic and lung cancer. Vaccinex uses its proprietary ActivMAb drug discovery platform, which enables the discovery and development of highly selective antibodies with novel mechanisms of action against complex membrane proteins.
2
Country: South Korea | Funding: ₩70.1B
AITRICS develops AI-powered medical software designed to help doctors detect and prevent critical deterioration in patient conditions. Its flagship product, VitalCare, predicts serious adverse events in patients (mortality, unexpected transfer to the intensive care unit, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, sepsis and CPR) by analyzing electronic medical records stored in hospital information systems in real time. The company is also developing V.Doc Pro - physician assistant based on large-scale language models. AITRICS is collaborating with the Mayo Clinic on new medical AI models.
AITRICS develops AI-powered medical software designed to help doctors detect and prevent critical deterioration in patient conditions. Its flagship product, VitalCare, predicts serious adverse events in patients (mortality, unexpected transfer to the intensive care unit, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, sepsis and CPR) by analyzing electronic medical records stored in hospital information systems in real time. The company is also developing V.Doc Pro - physician assistant based on large-scale language models. AITRICS is collaborating with the Mayo Clinic on new medical AI models.
3
Country: USA | Funding: $181.2M
Skyhawk develops small molecule therapeutics that modulate RNA expression for treatment of cancer, neurological diseases and rare diseases. The company's flagship RNA-targeting drug for Huntington's disease is currently in Phase III clinical trials. Skyhawk's platform consists of: SKYSTAR - system for identifying priority RNA targets, SKYLIBRARY - library of compounds for RNA targets, SKYSEQ - multiplex screening system that simultaneously tests dozens of important targets across various RNA motifs to identify compounds selective for a specific disease target and SKYAI - machine learning model that integrates data from SKYSTAR, medicinal chemistry, animal studies, toxicology studies and clinical programs to develop the next generation of novel RNA splicing modulators.
Skyhawk develops small molecule therapeutics that modulate RNA expression for treatment of cancer, neurological diseases and rare diseases. The company's flagship RNA-targeting drug for Huntington's disease is currently in Phase III clinical trials. Skyhawk's platform consists of: SKYSTAR - system for identifying priority RNA targets, SKYLIBRARY - library of compounds for RNA targets, SKYSEQ - multiplex screening system that simultaneously tests dozens of important targets across various RNA motifs to identify compounds selective for a specific disease target and SKYAI - machine learning model that integrates data from SKYSTAR, medicinal chemistry, animal studies, toxicology studies and clinical programs to develop the next generation of novel RNA splicing modulators.
4
Country: Germany | Funding: $2B
BioNTech is a global leader in mRNA-based immunotherapy. The company was the first to invent and commercialize a COVID-19 vaccine (in partnership with Pfizer). BioNTech is currently developing several personalized immunotherapeutic agents (vaccines) against cancer and infectious diseases, including melanoma, human papillomavirus, non-small cell lung cancer, tuberculosis and malaria. The company's flagship platform, FixVac, enables the creation of ready-to-use mRNA cancer vaccines that can be used off-shelf to a specific indication (fixed-dose vaccines). These vaccines are a fixed combination of unmutated tumor antigens encoded by mRNA, which are frequently expressed in certain types of cancer. The mRNA is delivered using a proprietary RNA-lipoplex delivery system, which is designed to enhance mRNA stability in the body and target antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs), the training grounds of our immune system.
BioNTech is a global leader in mRNA-based immunotherapy. The company was the first to invent and commercialize a COVID-19 vaccine (in partnership with Pfizer). BioNTech is currently developing several personalized immunotherapeutic agents (vaccines) against cancer and infectious diseases, including melanoma, human papillomavirus, non-small cell lung cancer, tuberculosis and malaria. The company's flagship platform, FixVac, enables the creation of ready-to-use mRNA cancer vaccines that can be used off-shelf to a specific indication (fixed-dose vaccines). These vaccines are a fixed combination of unmutated tumor antigens encoded by mRNA, which are frequently expressed in certain types of cancer. The mRNA is delivered using a proprietary RNA-lipoplex delivery system, which is designed to enhance mRNA stability in the body and target antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs), the training grounds of our immune system.
5
Country: Germany | Funding: €77M
Smile2Impress is a Berlin-based Health-Tech Startup in the area of digital dentistry.
Smile2Impress is a Berlin-based Health-Tech Startup in the area of digital dentistry.
6
Country: France | Funding: $393.5M
Cellectis has developed genome editing technology TALEN, which enables it to create more affordable, ready-to-use allogeneic CAR T-cell therapies. Its technology offers protection against graft-versus-host disease, reduces the risk of rejection and improves safety by integrating a self-destruct mechanism. Using this technology, the company is developing a pipeline of several candidates against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, large B-cell lymphoma, renal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Cellectis is also advancing PulseAgile technology, which uses electroporation (controlled electric fields) to deliver messenger RNA molecules into cells. It utilizes a unique electric field waveform, which, combined with a proprietary buffer solution, allows molecules such as nucleases to effectively penetrate cells while maintaining high cell viability.
Cellectis has developed genome editing technology TALEN, which enables it to create more affordable, ready-to-use allogeneic CAR T-cell therapies. Its technology offers protection against graft-versus-host disease, reduces the risk of rejection and improves safety by integrating a self-destruct mechanism. Using this technology, the company is developing a pipeline of several candidates against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, large B-cell lymphoma, renal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Cellectis is also advancing PulseAgile technology, which uses electroporation (controlled electric fields) to deliver messenger RNA molecules into cells. It utilizes a unique electric field waveform, which, combined with a proprietary buffer solution, allows molecules such as nucleases to effectively penetrate cells while maintaining high cell viability.
7
Country: USA | Funding: $460.5M
Poseida Therapeutics develops differentiated allogeneic cell therapies and genetic medicines using our proprietary genetic engineering platforms. The company develops the piggyBac non-viral DNA delivery system (which enables introduction of large genetic data into the genome) and the Cas-CLOVER site-specific gene editing system (which can be used for precise site-specific deletions, insertions and knockouts in various cell types). Using this platform, the company creates CAR-T therapies with high levels of desired TSCM (stem cell-derived memory T cells) for the treatment of a range of oncological, autoimmune and rare diseases, including multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia and prostate cancer. Poseida was acquired by Roche in early 2025.
Poseida Therapeutics develops differentiated allogeneic cell therapies and genetic medicines using our proprietary genetic engineering platforms. The company develops the piggyBac non-viral DNA delivery system (which enables introduction of large genetic data into the genome) and the Cas-CLOVER site-specific gene editing system (which can be used for precise site-specific deletions, insertions and knockouts in various cell types). Using this platform, the company creates CAR-T therapies with high levels of desired TSCM (stem cell-derived memory T cells) for the treatment of a range of oncological, autoimmune and rare diseases, including multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia and prostate cancer. Poseida was acquired by Roche in early 2025.
8
Country: USA | Funding: $1B
Allogene Therapeutics is working to overcome the limitations of autologous CAR T therapy by creating allogeneic CAR T cell (AlloCAR T) products that utilize T cells from healthy donors. These cells are isolated in a manufacturing facility, engineered to express CAR T cells (that recognize and destroy disease) and genetically modified to limit the autoimmune response when administered to a patient. These cells are then stored for use as needed. The company estimates that a single production cycle is sufficient to treat over 100 patients, significantly reducing the cost of therapy. The company's pipeline includes candidates for large B-cell lymphoma and renal cell carcinoma (ALLO-316 is the first and only allogeneic CAR T cell therapy to show promising results in the treatment of solid tumors). The company operates its own manufacturing complex for clinical and commercial production, analytical testing and distribution of cell products.
Allogene Therapeutics is working to overcome the limitations of autologous CAR T therapy by creating allogeneic CAR T cell (AlloCAR T) products that utilize T cells from healthy donors. These cells are isolated in a manufacturing facility, engineered to express CAR T cells (that recognize and destroy disease) and genetically modified to limit the autoimmune response when administered to a patient. These cells are then stored for use as needed. The company estimates that a single production cycle is sufficient to treat over 100 patients, significantly reducing the cost of therapy. The company's pipeline includes candidates for large B-cell lymphoma and renal cell carcinoma (ALLO-316 is the first and only allogeneic CAR T cell therapy to show promising results in the treatment of solid tumors). The company operates its own manufacturing complex for clinical and commercial production, analytical testing and distribution of cell products.
9
Country: USA | Funding: $971M
Zipline designs, manufactures, and operates drones to deliver vital medical products.
Zipline designs, manufactures, and operates drones to deliver vital medical products.
10
Country: UK | Funding: $1.1B
Autolus uses advanced CAR-T cell therapy to treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors. While CAR T-cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, it can also cause significant immunotoxicity. Autolus has developed a novel CAR-construct with rapid binding kinetics that is similar to natural T cells and provides improved tolerability in patients with certain types of leukemia. Furthermore, Autolus addresses the issue of immunotoxicity through a personalized dosing approach. The company is also seeking to adopt CAR-T therapy to patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, T-cell lymphoma and solid tumors. It is supporting several ongoing CAR-T clinical trials that are opening up new treatment options and offering new hope for these patients.
Autolus uses advanced CAR-T cell therapy to treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors. While CAR T-cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, it can also cause significant immunotoxicity. Autolus has developed a novel CAR-construct with rapid binding kinetics that is similar to natural T cells and provides improved tolerability in patients with certain types of leukemia. Furthermore, Autolus addresses the issue of immunotoxicity through a personalized dosing approach. The company is also seeking to adopt CAR-T therapy to patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, T-cell lymphoma and solid tumors. It is supporting several ongoing CAR-T clinical trials that are opening up new treatment options and offering new hope for these patients.
