TECregen has raised CHF 10m [£9,300,000] in seed financing to develop therapies aimed at rejuvenating the thymus, a gland that produces immune cells.
The Basel-based biotechnology company is developing biologics designed to revitalise thymic epithelial cells, which support T-cell production. T-cells are a type of white blood cell crucial for immune function.
The thymus shrinks with age, reducing the body’s ability to produce new T-cells and weakening immune resilience. TECregen’s approach aims to restore this function.
The company has also appointed Dr Bo Rode Hansen as chairman.
Dr Hansen is a biotech executive with over two decades of experience, having previously served as chief executive of Scandion Oncology and founding president of Genevant Sciences.
Dr Hansen said: “I am honoured to join TECregen’s Board at such a pivotal time for the company.”
“The team’s pioneering work in thymus regeneration has the potential to redefine treatment approaches for immune ageing and related disease.
“I look forward to working with the management team and our investors to accelerate the development and delivery of these transformative therapies to patients who need them most.”
The financing round, equivalent to approximately US$12.6m, was led by the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, with participation from LifeSpan Vision Ventures, Carma Fund, EOS BioInnovation, High-Tech Gründerfonds, the JFG Life Sciences Foundation of the University of Basel, and Zurich Cantonal Bank.
Dr Philipp Müller, investment manager at the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, said: “The ability to modulate and restore thymic function paves the way for new therapeutic opportunities across immunology, oncology, and rare diseases.
“We are enthusiastic to support TECregen as it advances towards clinical development.”
