10 Top Biotech Startups to Watch in 2023

Global Startup Heat Map highlights 10 BioTech Startups to Watch in 2023

Through the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, which covers over 3 790 000+ startups & scaleups globally, we identified 2146 biotech startups. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the 10 biotech startups you should watch in 2023 as well as the geo-distribution of all 2146 startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research. Based on the heat map, we see high startup activity in the US and Western Europe, followed by India. These biotech startups work on solutions ranging from biofabricated materials and clinical drugs to next-generation protein sequencing and sustainable chemical synthesis.

As the world’s largest resource for data on emerging companies, the SaaS platform enables you to identify relevant technologies and industry trends quickly & exhaustively. Based on the data from the platform, the Top 5 BioTech Startup Hubs are in London, New York City, Cambridge, San Francisco & Boston. The 10 hand-picked startups highlighted in this report are chosen from all over the world and develop solutions for sustainable manufacturing, cancer treatment, protein sequencing, and superfoods.

10 Top BioTech Startups to Watch in 2023

Innovations in biotech are transforming the healthcare, food, agriculture, and manufacturing industries. One of the most significant advancements in this area is the development of gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, which enable scientists to modify specific genes in living organisms. This technology has the potential to treat genetic diseases and enhance crop yields in agriculture. Additionally, synthetic biology creates new biological systems and molecules for medical and industrial applications. This finds use in biofuel, enzyme, and pharmaceutical production. Lastly, AI and machine learning in biotech workflows enable researchers to analyze vast amounts of biological data and gain valuable insights into disease mechanisms and potential drug targets. This technology also allows researchers to design more effective clinical trials and accurately predict drug efficacy and safety.

• Sumatrix Biotech – Biofabricated Materials
• PharmAla Biotech – Clinical Methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine (MDMA)
• Glyphic – Next-Generation Protein Sequencing
• RAGE Biotech – Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Treatment
• HHV Biotech – Biofilm-related Therapeutics
• Optieum – Antibody-based Cancer Therapies
• Gate2Brain – Therapeutic-Peptide Shuttles
• Lumatix Biotech – Antibody Manufacturing
• HydRegen – Sustainable Chemical Synthesis
• NewFish – Microalgae-based Superfoods

Sumatrix Biotech produces Biofabricated Materials

Turkish startup Sumatrix Biotech develops a biotechnological production process that transforms waste into high-value products. The startup utilizes microbial fermentation to convert glucose and nitrogen from waste sources into biocellulose. Sumatrix’s technology allows for the reproducible production of high-performance nanofiber biomaterials. These biomaterials serve multiple functions from simple additive to complex composite foams as well as ultrathin coatings and thick films with integrated properties. Jellylose is a type of nanocellulose made using this process. It acts as a sustainable source of raw materials in the medical, cosmetic, paper, food, and textile industries.

PharmAla Biotech offers Clinical MDMA

Canadian startup PharmAla Biotech focuses on the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of MDMA for clinical research. The startup offers clinical-grade LaNeo MDMA and substituted methylenedioxyphenethylamine (MDXX) substances. Its proprietary process avoids the burden of process development and regulatory restraints for the manufacturing of controlled substances. PharmAla thus improves the safety properties of these molecules and allows their use to treat a diverse range of disorders.

Glyphic Biotechnologies enables Next-Generation Protein Sequencing

US-based startup Glyphic Biotechnologies develops a next-generation protein sequencing platform that generates insights into human biology and diseases. The startup’s process utilizes a proprietary chemical fluid that untangles the protein into single strands of amino acids. Another chemical reagent then binds to terminal amino acids, which in the presence of a binder fluoresce in a specific color. The subsequent repetitions of these steps reveal the identity of each amino acid in the protein strand. This way, the platform enables the development of novel therapeutics and diagnostics through proteomic insights.

RAGE Biotech advances Chronic Inflammatory Diseases Treatment

Australian startup RAGE Biotech offers novel therapeutics for patients with difficult-to-treat inflammatory diseases. The startup’s proprietary ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapeutics and peptide technologies facilitate the development of drugs targeting the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE). These RNA therapeutic drugs involve splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) that up-regulate a naturally occurring, anti-inflammatory splice form of RAGE (‘esRAGE’) in inflamed tissues. RAGE Biotech’s inhibitor thus improves the lives of people with chronic inflammatory conditions.

HHV Biotech offers Biofilm-related Therapeutics

Dutch startup HHV Biotech specializes in the creation and development of biofilm-focused therapeutics for the treatment of biofilm-related disorders. Quorum sensing (QS) is the chemical mechanism that allows microbes to communicate with each other based on the constant secretion of signaling molecules to the environment. The startup develops antimicrobial therapy by disrupting this chemical communication between bacteria. The interference in microbial communication avoids the formation of biofilms and, in turn, combats biofilm-related disorders. This includes chronic and acute infections as well as tackles antimicrobial resistance at its root cause.

Optieum Biotechnologies develops Antibody-based Cancer Therapies

Japanese startup Optieum Biotechnologies offers innovative single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody-based therapies for the treatment of cancer patients. The startup’s proprietary platform technology, Eumbody System, enables the development and detection of next-generation scFv antibodies. It permits the generation of new scFv-expressing chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) with greater proliferation capacity and longevity. This enables superior reactivity against advanced tumors and minimizes adverse effects. As a result, Optieum facilitates therapies for patients in the chronic stages of cancer.

Gate2Brain makes Therapeutic-Peptide Shuttles

Spanish startup Gate2Brain provides a peptide-based technology platform that supports therapeutics that efficiently cross biological barriers like the blood-brain barrier. The G2B Therapeutic-Peptide Shuttle conjugates include new chemical entities, permeable, non-antigenic, stable, receptor-specific, soluble, non-invasive, and cost-effective products. These peptide-based products are capable of crossing biological barriers. Gate2Brain’s solution thus enhances drug delivery to the brain while avoiding side effects and other complications.

Lumatix Biotech advances Antibody Manufacturing

German startup Lumatix Biotech makes a light-controlled affinity matrix for effective and rapid isolation of antibodies. The startup advances antibody manufacturing by enabling the specific isolation of any Fc-containing antibody derivative or Fc fusion proteins, especially with pH-sensitive payload. Its proprietary concept increases product quality and process productivity simultaneously. Additionally, the smaller footprint of the system significantly aids the economics of antibody manufacturing.

HydRegen facilitates Sustainable Chemical Synthesis

UK-based startup HydRegen manufactures biotechnological catalysts and processes that enable sustainable chemical synthesis and manufacturing. The startup’s technology replaces toxic, heavy-metal catalysts and promotes operations under mild reaction conditions, minimizing waste and operating in continuous flow. These bio-based manufacturing technologies, primarily for the fine chemicals and pharmaceutical sectors, improve the agility, speed, and predictability of processes. HydRegen’s technology, in this way, ensures low-cost, high productivity, and reproducibility while improving the process.

NewFish formulates Microalgae-based Superfoods

New Zealand-based startup NewFish utilizes microalgae technology to create highly nutritious, protein-packed food products. Microalgae require a fraction of the water, land, and time as other protein sources and emit a fraction of greenhouse gases. NewFish’s products have a complete amino acid profile, offering protein and nutritional ingredient solutions for sports and active lifestyles. This way, the solution enables the sustainable use of ocean and water resources for economic growth while maintaining a circular ecosystem.

Source: StartUs