The early funding will help transition its research into scalable therapies targeting lysosomal storage disorders.
Biotech startup NanoZymeX has obtained €160,000 (CHF 150,000) from Venture Kick to advance a new platform for enzyme replacement therapy using lipid nanoparticles.
Spun out of research at the University of Basel, the technology aims to improve therapies for rare genetic conditions such as Pompe disease (a rare genetic disorder that affects how the body breaks down glycogen, leading to progressive muscle damage) by increasing therapeutic activity in affected tissues.
Enzyme replacement therapies are used to treat several rare genetic disorders, but their effectiveness is often limited by poor delivery into diseased tissues. Many therapeutic proteins struggle to enter cells efficiently, reducing their activity in critical organs such as skeletal muscle. In addition, immune responses to repeated treatments can further limit long-term effectiveness.
NanoZymeX is developing a lipid nanoparticle-based platform designed to transport therapeutic enzymes directly into target cells and lysosomes. By improving intracellular delivery and reducing immune reactions, the approach increases functional activity where it is most needed. Early preclinical studies show strong delivery efficiency and improved enzyme activity in relevant tissues.
NanoZymeX’s technology targets lysosomal storage disorders, a group of rare diseases representing a multibillion-dollar therapeutic market. The platform is designed to improve the performance of existing enzyme therapies and can be adapted to multiple diseases beyond Pompe.
The company plans to partner with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies developing rare disease treatments to bring next-generation enzyme therapies to patients.
“The support from Venture Kick comes at a critical moment when scientific discoveries need to transition into real companies,” highlighted Boris Sevarika, co-founder of NanoZymeX.
“This type of early funding provides the flexibility needed for company building, business development, and preparing the next stages of financing. It fills a crucial gap between academic research and venture-backed biotech development.”
The funding will help NanoZymeX further develop its lipid nanoparticle technology, conduct additional preclinical studies, and prepare for scalable manufacturing. This will support future fundraising and the transition toward clinical trials.
Lead image: Freepik.