Breaking Barriers in Science: The Journey of Meritxell Teixidó and Gate2Brain
Interview with Meritxell Teixidó, PhD, CEO & CSO, Gate2Brain By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN
Meritxell Teixidó holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Barcelona (UB) and an eMBA in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and International Business from UOC. At a scientific level, her field is the synthesis of peptides and the discovery of peptides capable of crossing biological barriers and she was responsible for this research line at the IRB Barcelona during more than 15 years, where she co-directed 10 doctoral theses, published more than 50 articles and participated in 9 patents.
After dedicating more than 15 years to biomedical research at IRB Barcelona, trying to improve the arrival of drugs to the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier that protects it. She decided to jump more barriers and be the CEO/CSO of Gate2Brain SL. in order to bring technology closer to patients, a challenge and an honor. Jumping barriers is perhaps the common thread that describes her, combining science and innovation with a new vision on leadership, for which she received the Spanish Woman Startup Award 2022 – Inspiration.
Caitlin Dolegowski (CD): Please introduce Gate2Brain and the company’s technology.
Meritxell Teixidó (MT): Gate2Brain is a biotech company focused on the development of therapeutics that efficiently cross biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier using a radically innovative peptide-based patented technology platform.
G2B-002, the first therapeutic proof of concept of our technology platform, is aimed mainly at the treatment of rare pediatric solid tumors.
CD: Meritxell, you were joined by your colleague, Carles Taulé, Gate2Brain’s Business Development Manager, at RESI Europe and Gate2Brain boasts three women founders. Tell us more about your team.
MT: Gate2Brain has a multidisciplinary team that ranges from peptide scientists to oncologist, from business development to operations. A team that is based in Barcelona and Madrid in Spain but also has key members in Tel Aviv and Mumbai.
CD: What were your experiences at the conference? What worked well for both you and Carles at RESI Europe?
MT: The conference was a great opportunity to share the journey of Gate2Brain and interact with novel potential investors that could help us advance to the clinics.
CD: What stage of fundraising is Gate2Brain in and what are your goals for the rest of 2024 and looking into 2025?
MT: We are fundraising 5M€ to perform the preclinical regulatory studies of G2B-002 (IND enabling studies) and prepare the Clinical Batch of G2B-002.
CD: Congratulations on your first-place finish at RESI Europe’s Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC)! There were over 40 companies in the IPC. What do you think was the key to your success and standing out at RESI Europe?
MT: On one hand, the impact that our technology could have on the first indication that will benefit from it, pediatric brain tumors that have no cure to date. On the other hand, the potential to use our delivery platform to improve the transport of many other drug candidates for brain diseases that are not able to cross the BBB unaided. Our Intelectual property portafolio and the team behind the scenes are to hallmarks that positionates Gate2Brain.
CD: What advice would you like to give to fellow entrepreneurs about RESI conferences?
MT: RESI is the perfect arena to establish connections and network with investors that are aligned with early drug development.
Interview by Life Science Nation
