Austrian deep-tech startup develops next-generation cell therapy manufacturing platform
Sarcura closes an oversubscribed €7M Seed Plus funding round: “If successful, they could completely change the cancer treatment landscape"
The round was co-led by seed investors Lansdowne Investment Company Cyprus and IST Cube with participation from newly joined HCVC and tecnet equity. Besides returning seed investors Axilium Holding, Novacapital, and Nina Capital Sarcura is particularly happy to welcome newly joined European family offices with industrial biopharmaceutical backgrounds. The financing will fuel the development of Sarcura’s first system prototype.
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Over the past months, outstanding professionals have joined and enriched the team with their expertise in the biopharmaceutical industry, cell therapy manufacturing, photonics and electronics. The new capital will boost the growth of the team and bring its promising technology to its first prototype.
“We are delighted to have successfully closed this funding round. It reflects the unmet need for breakthrough technologies to address the existing challenges in the manufacturing of cell therapies”
Daniela Buchmayr, Co-founder and CEO of Sarcura.
“Scientists aim to identify and engineer the right cells, enhancing control while lowering manufacturing cost. Sarcura unites cutting-edge silicon technologies such as integrated photonics in microfluidic cartridges, to automate, miniaturize and bring real-time control to cell therapy manufacturing” says Daniela Buchmayr.
Engineered cell therapies bring hope to patients who lack alternatives. With more than 1400 CAR-T clinical trials ongoing, the advanced cell therapy industry has seen unprecedented growth, but the manufacturing of these lifesaving treatments remains a major bottleneck.
“Having spent the first 12 years of my career in semiconductors in Taiwan and Silicon Valley, I am really excited to have the chance to lead HCVC’s investment in Sarcura,” says Jerry Yang, General Partner at HCVC. “If successful, they could completely change the cancer treatment landscape. I’m looking forward to partnering with Daniela and her co-founders.” “Sarcura is addressing a huge pain point in cell therapy by leveraging semiconductor MEMS technology.”
Jerry Yang, General Partner at HCVC.
“The interdisciplinary team at Sarcura demonstrated their ability to advance developments at the intersection of biology and semiconductor technology. Enhancing the understanding of cell biology and solving biomanufacturing bottlenecks through advanced silicon-based technologies is key to translating scientific progress into therapeutic results for patients in the future. We are excited to continue and extend our support in this financing round together with the other investors in this round”, adds Florian Resch, Managing Partner at IST cube.
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