September 2^nd, 2024 – INCATE (the INCubator for Antibacterial Therapies in Europe) is celebrating its third anniversary. Since its launch in August 2021, INCATE has been dedicated to supporting early-stage innovators, in academia and emerging start-ups, developing novel products and technology fighting antimicrobial resistance (AMR). By offering expert advice, community support, and non-dilutive funding, the team helps entrepreneurs to strengthen their projects to attract investors or enter into value-generating collaborations with Pharma and Biotech companies.

During these 3 years, INCATE has been in contact with over 300 promising initiatives and selected a portfolio of 40 ventures (and more in the pipeline) for targeted support.

INCATE has been very active in building an AMR community by connecting relevant parties as start-up companies, industry, academia and NGOs through events like networking sessions and workshops. Importantly, INCATE hosts the international AMR start-up pitch event as part of the yearly AMR Conference in Basel.

“Translating academic discoveries into start-up companies in the early-stage antimicrobial space is crucial, and INCATE is doing a remarkable work,” says INCATE board member Prof. A. Brakhage, Director of the Leibniz-HKI, one of the founding organizations. “The team has been helping academic groups turn their concepts into spin-offs, while also supporting young start-ups in strengthening their portfolios. Their work shows there is still a lot to be done.”

The team’s dedication, innovation, and hard work were recognized in June 2024 with the prestigious Lighthouse Award by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), for their exceptional achievements in Knowledge and Technology Transfer.

INCATE supports early-stage innovators in accelerating their AMR projects in a stepwise manner. Anyone can contact INCATE for R&D or other advice at no cost. With Stage I, ventures receive initial non-dilutive funding and targeted expert advice. Upon good progress, ventures can apply for Stage II, where they receive additional non-dilutive funding of €250k and further support to get their project ready for the next stage of investment.

“INCATE Stage I played a crucial role in validating our technology and business model, ensuring we were well prepared to transition from an academic environment to a start-up”, Patrick Grossmann, CEO Invitris GmbH said. “Being chosen as the first team to win Stage II helped us to affirm our potential to build a successful company. Since we have started this journey together, two years ago, INCATE has supported Invitris in business development, expanding our network, and consistently providing guidance to help us progress.”

In February 2024, Xiretsa – part of the INCATE portfolio for over two years -, became the second Stage II venture in INCATE’s portfolio. Further Stage II investments are expected before the end of the current year.

“INCATE has been supporting Xiretsa since its academic beginnings in 2022 with important R&D advice, networking and funding (Stage I in 2023, Stage II in 2024).  With this support, Xiretsa was able to complete the spinout and develop into a competitive start-up eligible for additional opportunities, including NIH NIAID funding. Recently, INCATE helped intensively with the preparation for a CARB-X application and facilitated networking with subject-matter experts, some of whom are now key-advisors to Xiretsa. We are very grateful for this unique support, without which we would not have easily achieved our current entrepreneurial and scientific success” said Alex Moreland, interim CEO.

INCATE is focused on expanding its reach and strengthening collaborations with both existing and new partners. With its successful support model and growing influence, INCATE is well-positioned to make a significant impact on the early-stage pipeline in the global fight against drug-resistant bacterial infections.

About INCATE 

INCATE is a not-for-profit partnership which brings together translational and basic research, industry, experienced entrepreneurs, and investors from across Europe and beyond. The German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), the Leibniz:HKI (part of Leibniz Association) in Germany, the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research AntiResist, the University of Basel, are the academic founding members of INCATE, with the University of Basel acting as the host. Together with the four industry partners Boehringer Ingelheim, MSD, Roche, and Shionogi, the Technology transfer organization BIOASTER in France, and US-based venture capital firm Kineticos AMR Accelerator Fund, as well as other organizations, funders and investors, INCATE aims to ensure that the pipeline of new antibiotics and technology platforms is filled and strengthened.