Caprotec Bioanalytics Obtains EUR 4.5 Million Start-Up Financing
The CCMS technology was developed by Prof. Dr. Hubert Köster founder of Caprotec Bioanalytics GmbH. Prof. Köster has founded three other biotechnology companies around his inventions. In 1981 he started Biosyntech GmbH in Hamburg, the first biotechnology company in Germany. In 1987 he co-founded the US company Milligen/Biosearch in Bedford, MA. In 1994 he founded Sequenom (NASDAQ: SQNM), now headquartered in San Diego. In 1997, with Prof. Dr. Köster as President and CEO, Sequenom completed the third largest biotech IPO that year on NASDAQ.
“We see in the assembly of our syndicate of this financing round not only a confirmation of the solidity of our technology and business model, but also as a great chance to use the network for business development and future collaborations. The now available funds will be used to intensify the development and applications of the CCMS technology in the important areas of proteome research and the improvement of drug development,” said Prof. Dr. Köster, CEO of Caprotec Bioanalytics GmbH.
“We see a great potential for marketing the CCMS technology in the proteome analytics market and especially in improving the drug development process and we are pleased that we could support Prof. Dr. Köster in setting-up Caprotec Bioanalytics GmbH in Berlin,” commented Ute Mercker, Senior Investment Manager and department head of the Life Science Team at the Investitionsbank Berlin Beteiligungsgesellschaft.
In the center of the CCMS technology are small, tri-functional molecules called capture compounds (CCs). They enable a targeted isolation of proteins or protein classes directly from the complex biological sample. After isolation the captured proteins are identified and characterized by mass spectrometry. CCMS technology is complementary to 2D gel electrophoresis and affinity chromatography. The CCs function as chemical probes detecting proteins directly in solution and thereby closing a technological gap. CCMS offers a general solution to investigate the interactions of small molecules (selectivity function) with the proteome.
Because of the simple interchangeability of the selectivity function a wide range of applications is achievable: The selectivity function guides the CC to the protein in question. Caprotec Bioanalytics is developing a family of kits for the specific isolation of proteins from any biological sample. Alternatively the CCs can be used for optimization and selection of drug candidates to determine target or off-target proteins and the mechanism of drug action. For details see H. Köster et al., Capture Compound Mass Spectrometry: A Technology for the Investigation of Small Molecule Protein Interactions, in ASSAY & Drug Development Technologies, Vol. 5, p. 381-390 (2007).
With the closing of the financing round the Company is now initiating the operational phase by moving into its new facilities in Berlin-Adlershof and establishing the team. Additionally, marketing of the Methylome-Kit for isolation of DNA/RNA/Protein methyl transferases currently in beta-testing will be initiated followed by the rapid development of a family of kits for the isolation of different protein classes. After the successful completion of a collaboration with a big player in the pharmaceutical industry the Company plans to enter into more collaborations with pharma and biotech firms to apply the CCMS technology to improving the drug development process.
About Caprotec Bioanalytics GmbH Caprotec Bioanalytics GmbH was founded in 2006 by Prof. Dr. Hubert Köster and is located in Berlin. The goal of the Company is to commercialize its proprietary CCMA technology in the areas of proteomic R&D, drug development and the development of protein biomarkers. The Company holds an unrestricted patent portfolio with 10 US and 25 international patent applications. Sixteen patents have been granted (US, CA, EP, DE, GB, AU, JP, SG). The technology is validated in all three application areas through proof-of-principle experiments. The Company has assembled an international scientific advisory board including one Nobel Laureate.
Contact:
Caprotec Bioanalytics GmbH Prof. Dr. Hubert Köster Max-Dohrn-Str. 10 10589 Berlin Tel. +49 (0) 30 345 069 97-0 Fax. +49 (0) 30 345 069 97-9 Mobile +49 (0)162 9286 952 Email: hubert.koester@caprotec.com
About the investment arm of the Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB-Bet) The investment arm of the Investitionsbank Berlin (www.ibb-bet.de) is managing since November 2004 the VC Fonds Berlin. The VC Fonds Berlin is the result of a joint initiative between the Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB) and the State of Berlin. Finances are coming in part from the European Funds for regional development (EFRE). The goal is to invest in technology companies in the Berlin region, which have a high growth potential in key technological areas. Since 1997 the IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH has invested within syndicates ca. 400 Mio. € in high technology companies in Berlin. As part of it the IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH has invested ca..60 Mio. € as lead, co-lead or co-Investor.
Contact: IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH Ute Mercker Bundesallee 171 10715 Berlin Tel.: +49 (0) 30 2125 3201 Fax: +49 (0) 30 2125 3202 E-Mail: venture@ibb-bet.de www.ibb-bet.de