The winner of the Venture Challenge Spring 2019 is AmbAgon

First-in-class drugs through targeted stabilisation of protein complexes

During the Dutch Biotech Event where biotech companies of all sizes, from start-ups to scale-ups, meet and get inspired, the LifeSciences@Work Venture Challenge was annouced. This year’s winner of the Spring edition became AmbAgon. The Eindhoven-based start-up develops small-molecule therapeutics for breast cancer by augmenting the tumor-suppressing functions of the 14-3-3 protein.

According to the jury, led by Carine van den Brink, AmbAgon has a strong team that, with their unique combination of expertise, has discovered a new approach towards developing drugs for metastatic breast cancer. A ground breaking method that change the future of cancer patients and their therapy accurance.  

AmbAgon has developed small molecule screening technologies focused on discovering molecules that stabilize the direct interaction of oncogenic transcription factors with so-called 14-3-3 proteins, thereby inhibiting their pathological activities. This approach, to augment the endogenous tumor-suppressing functions of 14-3-3 within different breast cancer types with small molecule drugs, provides for a radically new entry. A method that has been long sought for by the pharmaceutical industry and which is urgently needed in the clinic. 

Luc Brunsveld, AmbAgon: “The Venture Challenge has been a fantastic learning experience for us. It brought us into contact with the Dutch biotech community. Winning this challenge is the absolute icing on the cake.”

The Venture Challenge Spring 2019 started in April this year and ended today at the Dutch Biotech Event, where AmbAgon takes home the €25.000 prize money to invest in their growth. The other highly-motivated participating teams were:  MissionMS, MULTISCREENING, Praxa Sense, and UFO Biosciences. Participating in the Venture Challenge leads to a clear venture plan, as well as to investor-ready pitches. The  LifeSciences@Work Accelerator  is powered by  Health~Holland, Top Sector Life Sciences & Health. 

Contact Luc Brunsveld for more information about AmbAgon.

Venture Challenge Fall 2019:
Call open! – Deadline: 5 September 2019

Our specialised coaching focuses on developing your initial idea into a solid business during a series of boot camps and 1-on-1 coaching and mentoring sessions. Startup teams learn to identify key risks, analyse customer value propositions, develop a validation strategy, learn to build a venture plan and, ultimately, get connected to Life Sciences experts, investors and seasoned entrepreneurs. 

Source: Health~Holland