Using revenues obtained from a seed financing round totaling 6 million Swiss francs, Versameb is planning to bring its VERSagile platform to the clinical development stage by the end of 2021, as detailed in a press release. Versameb has developed VERSagile in order to program mRNA sequences for improved therapeutic efficacy. To this end, a molecular algorithm developed by the Basel-based company is used. The molecules developed in this fashion are designed to be used in the areas of dermatology and oncology, as well in the field of myology, the study of muscle diseases.

The potential of the Versameb approach was recognized very early on by the investment and innovation promotion agency Basel Area Business & Innovation, which supported the company in 2017/18 by way of BaseLaunch, the organization’s biotech accelerator and incubator. Versameb has now set its sights on driving forward the development of the company. To this end, it has strengthened its management team with the addition of Klaas P. Zuideveld, who has been appointed Chief Development Officer (CDO). He will bring a “rare combination” of scientific excellence and management experience to the role, according to Friedrich Metzger, Co-Founder and CEO of Versameb, who was quoted in the press release.

With Versameb having already achieved important milestones with the VERSagile platform, Dr. Reinhard Ambros, Chairman of the Board of Versameb and former Head of the Novartis Venture Fund, is delighted to see “that the company is attracting excellent talent to perform on our strategic and operational goals and that it is enjoying strong support from its investors”.