July 17, 2015
Millions fight Alzheimer’s and cancer
Dear reader
The current heatwave makes us all aware of what threatens if global CO2 emissions continue unabated: weather events with incalculable damage. It is obvious that climate change will have an impact on the economy. How strongly it will affect individual companies is the subject of investigation by the newly established company Carbon Delta. Founder Oliver Marchand’s Carbon Rating is directed primarily at investors and professional investors.
The Swiss biotech scene is not taking a summer break. Basel-based PIQUR Therapeutics has once more made the headlines: the winner of the Swiss Economic Award 2015 has generated an additional CHF18 million in a series A2 financing round. Thus, CEO Vladimir Cmiljanovic has already collected CHF55 million for the development of the company’s novel anti-cancer drugs.
Lausanne-based AC Immune also reported a success. It has reached a milestone in its collaboration with the Roche subsidiary Genentech to develop a drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Financial details were not disclosed, but overall the agreement with Genentech provides milestone payments of more than CHF400 million.
A third financing concerns the medtech company DBS System: Fondation pour l'innovation technologique (FIT) has awarded it a support contribution of CHF300,000.
Finally, two competitions for which you can register now: network equipment provider Cisco is organising a global ‘Innovation Grand Challenge’ for start-ups with disruptive ideas. The three winning projects will receive a total of $250,000.
And Swiss Post is also looking for good business ideas: CHF50,000 is on offer to the winners of its ideas competition Post Venture15.
Have a cool weekend.
Jost Dubacher
Managing Editor, startupticker.ch