Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP Fraunhofer spin-off founded
“Phialogics”: innovative biologics to treat autoimmune diseases
In August 2021, after several years of research at Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, a team of scientists has spun-off and created Phialogics, a preclinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the development of innovative biologics to treat autoimmune diseases.
Frankfurt am Main. The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells and proteins that protects organisms from pathogens. In autoimmune diseases, this system is dysbalanced and attacks parts of its own body, leading to severe acute and chronic disorders. In order to treat these diseases, highly innovative approaches are required that can efficiently and selectively stop or prevent organ damage caused by autoimmune processes.
The Fraunhofer ITMP spin-off Phialogics, founded in July 2021 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, utilizes its know-how in protein engineering to create and develop immune checkpoint activators to rebalance the immune response in autoimmune diseases. Phialogics' disruptive approach aims to maximize therapeutic impact while reducing side effects in the treatment of autoimmunity. Among other things, this should prevent tissue and organ damage leading to multi-organ failure in critical care disorders.
The founding team has an extensive background in research and rich experience gained in industry. The team intends to use this expertise to develop a new generation of immunomodulatory drugs for the benefit of patients.
“As a spin-off from Fraunhofer ITMP, we very much appreciate having worked with such a supportive and innovative team at our former institution. We are convinced that the drugs we are developing based on Phialogics' lead molecules will be of great benefit to patients suffering from autoimmune diseases," comments Andreas Ernst, CEO/CSO of Phialogics.
Prof. Gerd Geißlinger, head of Fraunhofer ITMP adds: “Phialogics is a spin-off from our young Fraunhofer Institute established with the help of the Hessian State Offensive for the Development of Scientific and Economic Excellence (LOEWE) and emerged from one of our first internal projects. This is clear evidence of the innovative power of Fraunhofer health research. Creating an innovative and entrepreneurial environment for our researchers based on advanced technologies and projects is an important foundation for technology transfer from research to application. Phialogics is an excellent example of this. Creating an innovative and entrepreneurial environment for our researchers based on highly advanced technologies and projects is at the core of our organization."
