The biotech company 4Gene has closed its investment round with a high six-figure sum. In addition to the founding shareholders, Goldmann International and MBG Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg participated in the financing round.
“We are very pleased that we can now identify further drug candidates for the pharmaceutical industry and accelerate the further expansion of our technology platform,”
says Heimo Adamski, Managing Director of 4GenesThe biotech startup develops and produces fragrances. The so-called fragrance glucosides have the advantage, among other things, that they can be activated at a specific time. The technology has already been successfully implemented for paracetamol, which was converted into a glycoside in experiments. 4Gene has already filed a patent for the paracetamol derivative and is expected to enable a more predictable and gentler absorption by the human body.
New applications possible in a wide range of industries
The technology was originally developed for fragrances and aromas in the cosmetics and perfume industry to ensure a fragrance experience in creams, lotions, and perfumes over a specific period of time through the slow release of the substances. This mechanism can also be used in the food industry and for pharmaceuticals. In the case of an active ingredient, release occurs in the body through microbial or human glucosidases, either via saliva upon ingestion or later in the intestine.
"4Gene's technology platform is unique. The company has succeeded in making this glycosylation suitable for mass production and reinventing applications in a wide variety of industries. Therefore, the decision to increase our investment was an easy one for us,"
says Mattias Götz, Head of the VC fund at MBG Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg.
New possibility to patent existing substances
The platform technology can be used for a wide variety of small molecules of different types – flavors, fragrances, and pharmaceutical active ingredients. The respective products can be easily further processed by industry, even using existing processes.
"With this technology, we are enabling a new way to patent existing substances. We are already working with some companies at the experimental level, and we welcome other partners from industry – whether cosmetics, food, mechanical engineering, or pharmaceuticals – to help us develop market-ready products."
explains Heimo Adamski.
