Biozentrum University of Basel spin-out Translation-X has received a further CHF 150,000 (€160,000) from Venture Kick to address an unmet medical need in autism spectrum disorder.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) reflect a critical gap in medical care, often involving challenges in social communication, with limited treatments available for core symptoms. A key barrier to developing effective therapies is the incomplete understanding of ASD's underlying biological causes.
Founded in 2022, Translation-X is addressing this need by developing brain-penetrant MNK inhibitors to target core symptoms. Focusing initially on rare genetic conditions, the Biotech startup is developing a phenotyping approach for a mechanistically defined larger target population.
These treatments could benefit from orphan drug designation, providing both a strategic market entry and a foundation for expansion.
Specifically, the company is exploring a novel therapeutic approach by targeting selective mRNA translation. Its research has identified dysregulated mRNA translation as a core issue in a sub-group of ASD, with a particular focus on Map-kinase interacting kinases (MNK) as a drug target.
By inhibiting MNK, Translation-X aims to restore normal mRNA translation and neural function, offering a promising treatment that directly addresses the root pathology of a genetically defined sub-group of autism.
The Venture Kick philanthropic initiative provides up to CHF 150,000 in seed funding to Swiss startups and offers a well-structured entrepreneurial path toward building a winning business.
Startups pitch to expert juries in three stages to obtain financing, gain direct feedback, and access an international network of 200 successful entrepreneurs and investors. Winners of Venture Kick are eligible for an InnoBooster grant of CHF 150,000 and an additional CHF 850,000 investment from the Kickfund.
Since its launch in 2007, Venture Kick has supported 1,074 Swiss startup projects with CHF 80 million.
According to Özgür Genç:
“Venture Kick helped us better understand the business challenges of the startup world.
Throughout the three stages, we benefited from its structured approach which helped to focus on essential business tasks like defining the business model and preparing for investment readiness,” highlighted. “It also introduced us to key experts and networks, opening valuable opportunities for us.”
The funds received from Venture Kick will be used to expedite the drug development project, propelling it from the hit to the lead stage.
Lead image: Peter Scheiffele, Özgür Genç, and Guido Koch. Photo: uncredited.
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