welcome life science founders!

What if biologic drugs could be designed and built with absolute precision? Valanx uses synthetic biology and genetic code expansion to control exactly where and how many modifications are added to a protein—turning protein conjugation into a predictable, programmable step rather than a limitation. This enables more effective, safer and consistently manufactured biologics. By incorporating proprietary synthetic amino acids into proteins in E. coli and CHO cells, Valanx enables fast, reliable conjugation through click chemistry, opening the path to drug formats that conventional technologies cannot produce. Founded out of the Technical University of Graz by Michael Lukesch, Valanx is translating high-precision protein engineering into real applications for next-generation biologics, supported by early industry interest and seasoned advisors including Pascal Deschatelets of Apellis Pharmaceuticals. 
 

Sarcura set out to tackle one of the toughest challenges in advanced medicine: how to manufacture cell therapies at scale. With an interdisciplinary founders team and a research-derived, innovative product for a growing market, they aimed to miniaturize and automate cell therapy production on a chip. At xista science ventures, we are proud to have supported this journey from its early days, providing capital, infrastructure, and a place in our community. While Sarcura will not continue as a company, it's achievements and people remain part of our ecosystem as a Retired Innovation Pioneer. This is the reality of science-driven entrepreneurship: not every venture reaches the market, but each one advances the frontier for those who follow.
 

The cell is the core of biology. Cellectric builds the tools to read and control it.
By uniting electrodynamics with biotechnology, Cellectric develops technologies that enable fast, precise analysis and modulation of living cells. These capabilities open new pathways for detecting infections earlier, understanding cellular behavior more deeply, and ultimately improving therapeutic decision-making.
Founded as a spin-off from the Austrian Institute of Technology by Klemens Wassermann and Terje Wimberger, Cellectric transforms award-winning research into practical systems built for the next generation of diagnostics and personalized medicine.

 

Many tumors remain invisible to the immune system. Hephaistos Pharma’s ONCO Boost is a natural TLR4 agonist that activates both innate and adaptive responses, helping the body recognize and attack solid tumors. 
 Backed by major European innovation grants including EIC Accelerator and BPIFRANCE, the company advances promising preclinical data that supports combination use with immunotherapies. 
 Founded in France by Martine Caroff, Alexey Novikov and Frédéric Caroff, Hephaistos builds on long standing expertise in innate immunity. 

 

Amplifold makes rapid diagnostic tests more sensitive.
While lateral flow tests are fast, affordable, and easy to use, they often fail to detect low levels of disease markers. Amplifold addresses this limitation with a DNA-origami–based signal amplification technology that boosts sensitivity by up to 100×, without changing the familiar test format or manufacturing process. This preserves the simplicity, low cost, and scalability that make rapid tests so widely used.

A spin-off from Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Amplifold is industrializing its nature-published technology for seamless integration into existing diagnostic workflows.

We’re currently supporting a fresh lifescience and health-tech company operating in full stealth mode. While we can’t share details yet, their work has the potential to reshape a key segment of the sector. Once they step out of stealth, you’ll find the full story here.

We’re currently supporting a fresh lifescience and health-tech company operating in full stealth mode. While we can’t share details yet, their work has the potential to reshape a key segment of the sector. Once they step out of stealth, you’ll find the full story here.

Brainhero set out to make evidence based neurofeedback therapy accessible for children with autism spectrum disorder or ADHD by bringing certified EEG technology into the home. The team achieved important progress, including MDR approval for a complete mobile EEG system. While the company will not continue, its work and its people remain part of our community as a retired portfolio company. Brainhero’s contribution to at home neurotechnology adds insight and experience that strengthens the path for future innovators.

Brightmind.AI aimed to give people living with migraine a practical and clinically grounded option for relief and prevention by developing a portable stimulation device for home use. The team explored how non invasive neuromodulation could move beyond clinics and into daily life. Although the company will not continue, its work remains part of our community as a retired portfolio company. Brightmind.AI advanced the understanding of at home brain stimulation and contributed valuable knowledge to the growing field of neuromodulation.