Abologix

Abologix is a Swiss biopharmaceutical company established in 2018, operating from Geneva. It originated as a spin-out from the laboratories of the University of Geneva and the Geneva University Hospitals. The company was co-founded by Dr. Ignacio Faus, an experienced entrepreneur in the pharma and biotech sectors; Professor Beat Imhof, a leading expert in JAM-C biochemistry from the University of Geneva; and Professor Thomas Matthes, a hematological cancer specialist at the Geneva University Hospital. The creation of Abologix was prompted by spectacular results in animal models for new cancer treatments.

The company focuses on developing novel antibody therapeutics for oncology, particularly for cancers that are difficult to treat or have developed resistance to standard therapies. Abologix's primary business involves the research and development of monoclonal antibodies that target specific proteins involved in cancer progression. Its main clients are envisioned to be large pharmaceutical companies who would license or acquire the developed assets for late-stage clinical trials and commercialization. The business model is centered on achieving preclinical and early clinical milestones to validate its drug candidates.

Abologix is advancing two main programs based on blocking novel pharmacological targets. The first involves the Junction Adhesion Molecule C (JAM-C), a protein expressed in many lymphoma cells that is associated with resistance to conventional treatments. Their lead candidate, a monoclonal antibody codenamed H225, blocks JAM-C function and has demonstrated a significant increase in overall survival in preclinical animal models for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, specifically Mantle Cell Lymphoma. The second program targets Olfactomedin-like protein 3 (Olfml3), which helps create an angiogenic environment in tumors. By blocking Olfml3 with specific monoclonal antibodies, the company aims to inhibit the formation of blood vessels that tumors need to grow. Since its inception, Abologix has secured funding through various channels, including a seed round led by Venturelab in 2021 and grants from Innosuisse and the KICK FUND to advance its preclinical development.

Keywords: oncology therapeutics, biopharmaceutical, monoclonal antibodies, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Mantle Cell Lymphoma, cancer treatment resistance, JAM-C inhibitor, H225 antibody, Olfactomedin-like protein 3, anti-angiogenesis, drug development, preclinical research, Swiss biotech, University of Geneva spin-out, hematological malignancies, cancer therapy, antibody-based drugs, targeted therapy, oncology innovation, biopharma startup