Biotech breakthroughs often come from the bold investments and a willingness to tackle problems others have deemed impossible. Today, I want to shine a light on a story that resonates strongly if you're an entrepreneur who loves taking risks, Laigo Bio's success with their SureTAC protein degradation platform. As someone who understands the startup grind and the courage it takes to build something groundbreaking in a saturated market, I see enormous potential here, not just for Laigo Bio, but for what their journey represents.
Laigo Bio, based in Utrecht, recently secured €11.5 million in seed funding to advance their SureTAC technology. This platform aims to unlock therapeutic pathways previously considered "undruggable." What does that mean? In layman’s terms: they target proteins heavily involved in diseases like autoimmune disorders and cancer, proteins traditional drugmakers couldn’t effectively reach. Funding like this isn’t just money, it’s trust from top-notch investors that Laigo Bio is onto something invaluable.
This wasn’t your average funding round. Co-led by Kurma Partners and Curie Capital, other backers included Angelini Ventures and the French biotech venture incubator Argobio Studio. These teams specialize in nurturing early-stage ventures, which puts them in a position to support Laigo Bio right from its inception. For founders, these kinds of partnerships are golden. They provide more than capital, they help align scientific exploration with commercial viability. Kurma Partners, for instance, are heavyweights in life sciences investing. If they're backing you, investors and researchers will sit up and pay attention across Europe and beyond.
Speaking of potential, SureTAC is noteworthy because it isn't just refining existing ideas, it aims to rewrite the rules. Many biotech entrepreneurs, including myself, know how daunting it is to pitch a solution that challenges entrenched norms. SureTAC works by pairing bispecific antibodies with E3 ligases to selectively degrade problem proteins. This process is more specific than standard treatments, which means fewer off-target effects and improved safety. For anyone in drug development, achieving this level of precision often feels like chasing unicorns. But with in vivo preclinical success already on record, Laigo Bio seems ready to face the next steps head-on.
Now, let’s take a closer look at what this funding will enable them to achieve. Firstly, their lead oncology programs target immune checkpoint PD-L1, VEGF, and a Wnt pathway receptor, three major players in cancer progression. Beyond oncology, they’re gearing up to develop candidates for autoimmunity and transplant rejection scenarios, both fields that demand new ideas and focused therapeutics. SureTAC also stands out because it promises profound inhibition of disease-driving proteins rather than merely blocking them. Founders in life sciences can learn from the way Laigo Bio has positioned itself to target a high unmet need while feeding their platform with diversified applications.
Pulling this off hasn’t been easy, but Laigo Bio's CEO, Dr. Matthew Baker, seems well-prepared. His commentary on the deal emphasizes how far they’ve already come scientifically, and his outlook inspires confidence in their ability to leverage those breakthroughs commercially. For founders trying to craft a similar pathway, Baker’s approach is instructive: combine impeccable science with a market-driven strategy and focus your efforts on achieving clinical proof of concept rapidly.
Many of us on the entrepreneurial side know that early-stage startup success isn’t only about being daring, it’s about thought-out decisions and resilience against challenges. Laigo Bio isn’t just nimble; they’ve paired themselves with strategic partners who share their vision. Argobio Studio, for example, launched in 2021 with €50 million committed to spinning out startups poised to tackle immunology and oncology. By tethering their mission to organizations like Argobio, Laigo Bio is reducing long-term risks and shielding itself from common pitfalls that doom tech-heavy startups.
One thing to keep in mind when building alongside investors is how funding reflects trends. Take a look, a significant chunk of Laigo Bio's targets are involved in inflammation and immuno-oncology. Interested in copying their playbook? These specialties attract investor interest because they balance scientific challenge with lucrative rewards.
Here are key mistakes to avoid when pitching disruptive solutions like Laigo Bio’s platform:
- Overselling the buzzwords: If you’re trying to gain traction, don’t drown your core idea in flashy but vague terms. Laigo Bio sticks to specifics like E3 ligase. That clarity works.
- Overpromising without proof: Early traction matters more than grand vision statements. Secure a validation track before claiming potential.
- Ignoring the power of partnerships: SureTAC wasn’t born in isolation; it stems from collaborations with UMC Utrecht and the Oncode Institute. Founders should surround themselves with complementary scientific expertise.
What’s next for Laigo Bio? The funding positions them to push their oncology programs into early clinical stages. As most biotech entrepreneurs know, scaling from preclinical success to clinical trials is the grittiest, most expensive leap. If they pull it off, and the backing suggests they’ve got a decent shot, they could transform both their company and patient outcomes.
Laigo Bio offers proof of what a laser-focused, partnership-driven approach can achieve, even in a complex field filled with skeptics. Entrepreneurs in biotech especially should learn from their ability to build trust while tackling ambitious ideas. If platforms like SureTAC change the way hard-to-drug diseases are treated, we won’t just be celebrating one company’s success. We’ll be cheering for a future where science crushes limits, one big leap at a time.
FAQ
1. What is Laigo Bio and its focus?
Laigo Bio is a biotech company based in Utrecht, Netherlands, advancing novel therapies that target previously "undruggable" membrane proteins involved in autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, and oncology. Discover Laigo Bio
2. What is SureTAC technology?
SureTAC (Surface Removal Targeting Chimeras) is Laigo Bio's proprietary platform that uses bispecific antibodies and E3 ligase for selective degradation of disease-causing membrane proteins. Learn more about SureTAC
3. How much funding did Laigo Bio secure, and what will it support?
Laigo Bio raised €11.5 million in seed funding to advance its oncology programs and accelerate immunology candidate discoveries, tackling key unmet medical needs in cancer and autoimmunity. Read about the funding
4. Who are the co-lead investors in Laigo Bio’s funding round?
Kurma Partners and Curie Capital co-led the seed funding round, which also involved Angelini Ventures and Argobio Studio, among others. Explore Kurma Partners | Explore Curie Capital
5. What are Laigo Bio's key oncology targets?
Their programs target immune checkpoint PD-L1, VEGF, and a Wnt pathway receptor, addressing major drivers of cancer progression using their SureTAC degradation technology. Learn about their oncology focus
6. What sets SureTAC apart from conventional treatments?
SureTAC offers precision in targeting disease-driving proteins, achieving deep pathway inhibition with minimal off-target effects, which improves safety and efficacy. Discover SureTAC features
7. Who developed the SureTAC platform?
SureTAC was developed in Prof. Madelon Maurice’s laboratory at the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht and Oncode Institute, highlighting academic-industry collaboration. Learn about its origins
8. Which non-oncology areas is Laigo Bio exploring with SureTAC?
Laigo Bio is advancing SureTAC applications for autoimmune diseases and scenarios such as transplant rejection, targeting therapeutic areas with high unmet needs. Explore non-oncology applications
9. What role did Argobio Studio play in the formation of Laigo Bio?
Argobio Studio, a Paris-based venture incubator, was instrumental in founding Laigo Bio and securing initial funding for its platform development. Learn about Argobio Studio
10. Who leads Laigo Bio as CEO?
Dr. Matthew Baker, a seasoned leader in biotech and drug development, is the Chief Executive Officer of Laigo Bio, guiding its innovative approach and commercialization strategy. Read about Dr. Baker
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.