EvlaBio

EvlaBio is a Swiss-German life science company established in 2022, concentrating on the development of treatments for the cardiorenal sector. The company's primary focus is on creating a therapy for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) in individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a condition with few effective treatment options. EvlaBio's main product is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody designed to inhibit the pathological FGF23/FGFR4 cardiac signaling axis, which is a key factor in the cardiac remodeling seen in CKD patients. This therapeutic approach is intended to directly target a key pathway at the cardiomyocyte level, offering a way to modify the disease's progression at its source.

The company's scientific foundation originates from the Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC), an entity established by the Max Planck Innovation technology transfer organization. The program was developed in partnership with the KHAN Technology Transfer Fund I GmbH & Co KG. EvlaBio was co-founded by CEO Wenzel von der Heydte and COO Thomas Kirmeier. In July 2025, EvlaBio secured €21 million in a significant seed funding round to advance its lead program through preclinical development and toward IND-enabling studies. This financing was led by a consortium of investors including Kurma Partners, AdBio Partners, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, NRW.Venture (NRW.BANK), and HTGF.

The business model is centered on the research, development, and eventual commercialization of its monoclonal antibody. This involves navigating the rigorous, multi-phase process of clinical trials to demonstrate safety and efficacy before seeking regulatory approval for market entry. The company serves patients with CKD and associated cardiac complications, a market segment with a substantial unmet medical need. Successful development could lead to licensing agreements with larger pharmaceutical firms or direct commercialization, generating revenue through the sale of the approved therapy to healthcare systems and providers globally.

Keywords: EvlaBio, cardiorenal therapy, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, Chronic Kidney Disease, monoclonal antibody, FGF23/FGFR4 pathway, Wenzel von der Heydte, Thomas Kirmeier, Kurma Partners, AdBio Partners, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, preclinical development, IND-enabling studies, biotech, life sciences, cardiac remodeling, heart failure, Max Planck Innovation, Lead Discovery Center, biopharmaceutical