Tacalyx Secures €7 Million Seed Funding to Develop Novel Antibody Therapies Targeting Tumor-Associated Carbohydrate Antigens for Metastatic and Malignant Cancers

On September 27, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media reports that biotechnology company Tacalyx announced the completion of a €7 million seed financing round. The round was co-led by Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF) and Kurma Partners, with participation from Idinvest Partners, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), Coparion, and Creathor Ventures.

Upon completion of this round of financing, Tacalyx will further investigate the biological properties of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) and develop novel antibody-based therapeutics based on these research findings to improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients.

Studies have found that tumor cells grow rapidly, exhibit abnormal glycosylation, and display a glycocalyx distribution on the cell surface that is markedly different from that of normal human cells. This series of changes can accelerate tumor cell metastasis, leading to abnormal angiogenesis and immune suppression.

TACA, generated through abnormal glycosylation and specifically expressed in various types of tumor cells, can serve as a tumor marker. This substance is considered an innovative target for cancer therapy; however, due to its low immunogenicity, the human immune system struggles to produce corresponding antibodies, thereby often hindering research on TACA-based therapies.

Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Tacalyx is a biotechnology startup. The company’s R&D team is dedicated to exploring the formation mechanisms and physiological characteristics of TACA (Tumor-Associated Carbohydrate Antigens) and developing antibody-based therapeutics targeting this tumor marker, thereby providing new treatment options for patients with metastatic and malignant cancers. Founded by an experienced team, Tacalyx collaborates with multiple biotechnology companies to jointly develop innovative drugs.

Tacalyx was spun off from the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPICI) in Germany and develops products based on the research of its CEO, Dr. Peter Seeberger. Dr. Seeberger pioneered automated glycan assembly technology, laying the foundation for the scalable production of large biopolymers.

MPICI is an institute under the Max Planck Society in Germany. In recent years, it has been dedicated to the synthesis and characterization of TACA, developing products based on materials chemistry, nanotechnology, and polymer technology. The institute translates fundamental research achievements into innovative products to promote social and market economic progress.

Dr. Peter Seeberger stated, “This round of financing demonstrates external recognition of our platform and R&D projects, and will help Tacalyx develop breakthrough therapies to combat difficult-to-treat diseases. We will use these funds to conduct in-depth research into the biological properties of TACAs and further explore and evaluate the role of antibody drugs in cancer treatment.”