Press release from AiCuris of 29.09.2022

• The AiCubator program was launched to provide first-hand support to fuel early research projects of young start-ups and academic teams that have the potential to become the next generation of resistance breaking anti-infective therapies
• Up to three projects will be awarded AiCubator Resident Status and will benefit from financial support, the company’s scientific know-how, its proven drug development expertise and its extensive network in the life science industry
• AiCubator application period starts on October 1^st and will run until December 31, 2022

AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG, a leading clinical stage pharmaceutical company in the development of novel, resistance-breaking antiviral and antibacterial agents for the treatment of severe and potentially life-threatening infectious diseases, today announced the opening of the third round of its AiCubator corporate innovation accelerator initiative.

AiCubator was launched by AiCuris in 2020 and is designed to provide first-hand support to fuel the development of early research projects based on new ideas and scientific principles that address indications with high medical need in the anti-infective field, tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and prevent future pandemics. AiCubator residents, over a period of up to three years, will benefit from the scientific know-how and drug development expertise of AiCuris – a leading company in anti-infectives with a product already on the market. As part of the AiCubator program, residents learn how to transform great ideas into new products. Residents will get assistance in developing a clear strategy and development timeline, as well as putting together a convincing presentation of existing results, all important components to accelerate achievements and boost future fundraising success and licensing opportunities. In addition, residents will benefit from financial support and get access to AiCuris’ extensive international network of renowned scientific partners, associations, and service providers, as well as other leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Interested parties can apply to the AiCubator program by filling in the AiCubator standard application form, describing the project, its status and development plans. Further information on the program can be found on the AiCuris AiCubator website.

“What really excited me in the early years of our AiCubator program, was the abundance of extraordinary ideas being developed every day in academia and in young biotechnology companies. Nevertheless, many of these ideas petered out due to a lack of business and development experience and, last but not least, a lack of funding,” said Dr. Holger Zimmermann, CEO of AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG. “At AiCuris, we strongly believe there is a need to nurture these ideas at a very early stage to fill pipeline gaps, combat AMR and prevent future pandemics. We are constantly looking for novel technologies and approaches that have the potential to make a difference in the treatment of infectious diseases where only limited or no therapies are available today. I’m curious to see this year’s applications and am very much looking forward to supporting the winners’ development over the next few years.”

Academic groups at a research university or institute or biotech start-ups at the beginning of their journey that are working on antiviral or antibacterial research projects or early pre-clinical stage development programs are invited to apply to the AiCubator program. The focus of the initiative is on targeted antiviral and antibacterial therapies and applications in the following indications:

• Antiviral therapy for:
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV cure)
  • HIV cure
  • BK Virus
  • Epstein-Barr virus
  • Adenovirus
  • Pan-Herpesvirus
  • Norovirus
  • Pandemic preparedness solutions (RSV, pan-respiratory viruses)
• Antibacterial non-small molecule therapy for:
  • Bloodstream infections
  • Diabetic foot infections
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Osteomyelitis
• Novel platform approach in infectious diseases

Submitted projects will be evaluated by AiCuris experts based on various criteria, including status of target identification, preliminary efficacy data, as well as indications addressed and potential competitive advantages over existing standard of care. AiCuris selects up to three projects each year that are scientifically attractive but too early stage for licensing deals to join the program as residents.

AiCubator 2023 call – Important dates and deadlines:

Submission period: October 1 – December 31, 2022, midnight CET
Announcement of winning projects: April 2023