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 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.