Many healthcare startups are working on a solution to the coronavirus crisis—including the Neuried-based biotech company Baseclick. The startup has now received financial support from the Heilbronn-based seed fund Born2grow.
The BiotechThe startup Baseclick specializes in so-called "click chemistry." This process, developed by Nobel laureate Barry Sharpless, allows the modification of messenger RNA (mRNA), which the Neuried-based company uses in personalized cancer therapy, among other things. mRNA plays an important role in the construction of proteins in cells by translating and transmitting information stored in DNA.
Based on this click technology, Baseclick is currently developing a vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, commonly known as the coronavirus. The vaccine contains selected gene segments of the virus in the form of modified mRNA. This type of vaccine, after injection, leads to the formation of harmless viral proteins in humans. These are recognized and attacked by the immune system, leading to the development of immune protection. Additional immunostimulants in the vaccine support this process.
Born2grow invests in Baseclick
Now, Heilbronn-based investor Born2grow has agreed to finance vaccine development and provided Baseclick with initial seed funding. The seed fund is a subsidiary of the Zukunftsfonds Heilbronn (ZFHN). The family office was provided with equity of approximately €200 million by Dieter Schwarz, owner of the Schwarz Group, which includes Lidl and Kaufland. The amount of the investment is undisclosed.
Dr. Thomas Frischmuth, shareholder and head of research at Baseclick, says:
"I am very grateful that the Heilbronn-based investor behind Born2grow has placed its trust in the Baseclick team and, with the funding, has made it possible for Baseclick to start developing a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2."
"We know Dr. Thomas Frischmuth very well from his time building Greenovation and PPS Services and have great confidence in his abilities. We are pleased to be working with Baseclick to help get the global pandemic under control as quickly as possible,"
explained Thomas R. Villinger, Board member of Born2grow and Managing Director of the Heilbronn Future Fund.
