Investment
The German technology commercialisation firm Ascenion GmbH has invested in MBiotec GmbH, a biopharmaceutical company formed to develop and commercialize the compound MALP-2S for the treatment of cancer.
The compound is a lipopeptide discovered at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI). In 20 years of research, the scientists have characterised the compound, which originates in fungi, produced a synthetic analogue and built an extensive set of data demonstrating that MALP-2S can effectively stimulate the human immune system. The compound was safe and demonstrated anti-tumour activity in a Phase I/II trial in pancreatic cancer.
Ascenion, HZI's commercialisation partner, agreed the contract between HZI and MBiotec, providing the start-up company with the exclusive right to develop and commercialise MALP-2 and derivatives for oncology applications.
MBiotec has filed an orphan drug application for MALP-2S in pancreatic cancer with the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. Upon successful completion of the first financing round, the company aims to perform a fast-track clinical programme.
MALP-2 also holds potential for a range of other applications. Besides cancer immunotherapy, these include vaccination, wound healing and sepsis prophylaxis.
Receive the Funding Newswire [full access requires a subscription] each Tuesday, our Policy Bulletin each Thursday, and news about bridging Europe’s east-west innovation gap twice a month in The Widening. 
A unique international forum for public research organisations and companies to connect their external engagement with strategic interests around their R&D system.
