SRTD biotech receives seed financing

The seed funding makes it possible to further develop a platform for targeted RNA therapies. The goal: better cancer therapies without side effects.
Jülich, November 14, 2024 - The biotech startup SRTD biotech GmbH has secured seven-figure seed funding to develop RNA-based therapeutics that only become active in diseased cells. This innovative process promises groundbreaking advances in the treatment of cancer and other diseases without the often burdensome side effects of conventional drugs. The financing round is led by High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), with renowned business angels also participating.
Selective RNA technology: New perspectives in cancer therapy
SRTD biotech is pursuing a completely new approach to RNA-based drug development. The company's aim is to develop therapies that are only active in diseased tissue and thus leave healthy cells largely untouched. This so-called "selectively expressed RNA" (seRNA) technology could be particularly useful in oncology, as many traditional cancer drugs are effective but often cause significant side effects that also affect healthy cells.
If RNA-based therapeutics can be made to work only in diseased cells, the horror of many diseases such as cancer will be taken away
Dr. Bernd Hoffmann, CEO of SRTD biotech
Financing for the path to market maturity
SRTD biotech will use the capital from the seed financing to initially work on the development of drug candidates and further validate the applicability of its seRNA technology under laboratory conditions. The platform technology will be used for various medical applications, starting with liver cancer as the first target indicator. In the long term, the company plans to tackle other diseases such as autoimmune diseases and develop seRNA-based treatment options for these.
The funding gives us the means to confirm the robustness of our platform and bring our technology to a broader market
Dr. Georg Lautscham, CFO of SRTD biotech
The company aims to move its first drug candidates into clinical development within the next three years. In addition, SRTD biotech intends to establish strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotech companies in order to jointly expand the potential applications of seRNA therapeutics.
Support from experienced investors
Lead investor High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) emphasizes the importance of innovative genetic technologies that enable precise and targeted treatment of serious diseases. "Drug development is at a turning point: genetic technologies can intervene precisely and highly efficiently in the disease process and promise to enable side-effect-free therapies," says Dr. Angelika Vlachou, Partner at HTGF. "We are delighted to support SRTD biotech in its endeavor to become a leader in the rapidly developing field of RNA-based therapeutics."
In addition to financial support, HTGF brings its expertise in the field of biotechnology and innovative partnerships that could be crucial for SRTD biotech's successful market entry and growth. Well-known business angels have also participated in the financing and have supported the company from the very beginning.
Setting the course for the future: RNA technology with a broad range of applications
With its seRNA technology, SRTD biotech aims to create a platform that goes beyond oncology and could also be useful for other therapeutic areas. "As a platform technology, seRNAs are not limited to oncology, but offer a wide range of possibilities in other therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune diseases," says Dr. Lautscham. Due to the modular and flexible nature of the technology, it is possible to react quickly and specifically to new therapeutic requirements. This could help to establish RNA-based therapeutics as a new standard modality in modern medicine in the future.
SRTD biotech
SRTD biotech was founded by Dr. Bernd Hoffmann and Dr. Heribert Bohlen in Jülich. The company's team consists of experts in molecular biology, cell biology, chemistry, translational sciences and business development. With its expertise in RNA-based technologies, the company specializes in the development of highly efficient therapeutics that spare healthy cells and are only active in diseased tissue. The company's technology aims to revolutionize drug development and provide new, gentle treatment options for various diseases.
The seed funding provides SRTD biotech with the capital it needs to further develop its technology and launch targeted RNA therapies with few side effects. The company focuses on precise drug activation that targets only diseased cells and has the potential to usher in a new era of cancer therapy and beyond.

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