Bildnachweis: AATec Medical.
AATec develops new therapeutics for inflammatory lung diseases based on a new recombinant version of alpha-1 antitrypsin. Backed by a pre-series A funding round of EUR 4 million, the start-up is advancing its lead drug candidate ATL-105, initially for the targeted treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB), with future potential across a broad range of inflammatory respiratory diseases.
VC Magazin: AATec is a spin-off emerging from a clinical environment and is a successful example of technology transfer from research to industry. How have you managed to bring your business idea to market, and what challenges have you faced along the way?
Jankowsky: AATec was founded by experts from both clinical practice and industry – a combination that has been vital to our progress. Our founders and early investors have a profound understanding of the pharmaceutical landscape, which has enabled us to operate at a high scientific level from the very beginning. Early on, the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation (SPRIND) recognised the potential of our therapeutic approach, and it has supported us as a partner since then. We have also succeeded in engaging leading international physicians in the field of respiratory medicine to support our development. Naturally, there are challenges: drug development is capital-intensive, and today’s financial markets are demanding. Nevertheless, our clear focus and streamlined processes allow for cost-efficient development – particularly when compared to early-stage platform technologies.
VC Magazin: Your approach targets respiratory diseases, initially focusing on NCFB, with further indications to follow. What impact could the drug have on improving global healthcare?
Jankowsky: Our initial clinical indication is non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) – a chronic inflammatory lung disease affecting more than three million people worldwide. Due to demographic changes, environmental factors, and the rise in infectious diseases, the number of affected patients continues to increase. The need for new therapies is therefore immense. Only recently, the first-ever drug for this indication was approved in the United States – a clear signal of the high unmet medical need. In the longer term, we plan to extend our research to COPD and other chronic respiratory diseases. With ATL-105, we aim to contribute to global healthcare by creating new treatment options for conditions that currently lack effective therapies.
VC Magazin: ATL-105 is approaching clinical development. In your case, the path to market authorisation is shorter than usual. What factors contribute to this accelerated timeline?
Jankowsky: The active ingredient in ATL-105 is based on a new recombinant version of a human molecule with a well-established and clinically validated safety profile – a major advantage. Its mechanism of action and pharmacological properties are also well-understood. This has allowed us, in close consultation with regulatory authorities, to define a streamlined development pathway, which offers clear benefits in terms of both time and cost. We are currently preparing our first clinical trial, which will already be designed as a proof-of-concept study, providing safety data as wellas initial indications of efficacy.
VC Magazin: You are currently in search of new investors. What objectives will the new capital help you achieve, and what type of partners are you looking for?
Jankowsky: The funds will primarily be used to carry out our first clinical study – a crucial milestone for AATec. Positive data from this study would not only significantly increase the company’s valuation but also strengthen our position for market approval. We are seeking partners from three main groups: first, strategic investors from the pharmaceutical industry who are interested in targeted product development; second, financial investors seeking investments with a balanced risk profile – our approach offers an attractive opportunity given the robust existing data; and third, impact investors who specifically aim to support solutions addressing diseases with a high unmet medical need.
VC Magazin: Thank you for the interview!
About the interview partner:
Dr Rüdiger Jankowsky, CEO of AATec, has 25 years of experience in the biotech industry and is a seasoned leader with extensive expertise in product development and regulatory approval. Before co-founding AATec, he served as CEO of several life science start-ups.
