The Propelling Grant Program Awards its 10th Edition Winners

Twice a year, the Innovation Office awards the Propelling Grant, an exclusive non-dilutive fund of 50,000 CHF, to a selected project(s). Established in 2018, the Propelling Grant has helped transform scientific breakthroughs into successful startups.

The grant offers more than just financial support; it`s a dynamic launchpad designed to bring research to life. Whether selected or not, all applicants receive detailed feedback from the evaluation board, composed of five experts with strong scientific or business backgrounds. Selected winners undergo a thorough gap analysis to identify key areas for growth and develop a comprehensive workplan. Beyond individual guidance, the program provides access to expert support, personal mentoring, investor opportunities, and more. 

Since its creation, the Propelling Grant has funded 19 projects, supported the founding of 6 startups, and helped 12 more projects on the path to incorporation. This past Spring, 21 projects applied for the Propelling Grant. From that strong pool of applicants, two standout teams were awarded 50,000 CHF each.

A Glimpse Into Cancentus

Cancentus, led by Professor Dennis Gillingham (Department of Chemistry) and supported by Daniela Carraturo (Department of Chemistry), Professor Thanos Halazonetis, and Giacomo Rosetti (both from the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva), is developing the next-gen ADCs that exploit cancer vulnerabilities to boost efficacy and reduce toxicity. As they currently exist, Novel Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) for cancer therapies are effective, but toxic. Many of the best ADC payloads currently used for cancer therapies are highly cytotoxic compounds that have severe side effects, including interstitial lung pneumonitis and fibrosis. If ADCs could incorporate payloads with lower off target toxicity, overall treatment safety would improve.

Using the Propelling Grant, the team aims to generate in vivo efficacy data to make the next critical round of ADCs.

A Glimpse Into EvoNav

External Ventricular Drain (EVD) placements are one of the most commonly performed procedures in neurosurgery. During this procedure, a thin catheter is inserted through the patient`s skull into the brain`s ventricles to divert cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into an external collection site. The purpose of this is to relieve dangerous pressure in the brain, prevent further neurological damage, and help stabilize the patient`s condition. Around 38% of all EVDs placed without navigation are misplaced, resulting in increased infection, morbidity rates, and the need for revision surgeries. Current navigation systems are expensive, complex, and difficult to use in emergencies given their high cost and time-intensive setup.

EvoNav, led by Prof. Dr. Med. Raphael Guzman (Department of Neurosurgery) and supported by Attill Saemann (Department of Neurosurgery), and Jan Stifter (CEO and Founder of Medivation AG), is a single-use optical tracking navigation system developed to enhance External Ventricular Drain (EVD) placements. EvoNav is making EVD placements more easily deployable in emergency settings, eliminating the need for cost-intensive infrastructure and time-intensive setup of conventional neuro-navigation systems, resulting in overall improved patient outcomes.

Using the comprehensive support from Propelling Grant, the team aims to refine their market strategy, strengthen their business case, and accelerate EvoNav`s development including imminent clinical safety trials.