Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Leveraging personal data for custom-fit diagnosis and treatment

Precision Medicine

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 Nucleai is an AI-powered drug discovery platform that leverages spatial biology mapping technology and pathology data to predict patient response to cancer treatments and support precision medicine drug development. The firm's software uses computer vision and machine learning algorithms to predict cancerous tumor progression and immune system response in order to determine the most effective course of treatment. The model replicates a patient's immune system and tumor characteristics by analyzing large datasets of tissue images. The technology is used to discover novel therapies, support clinical trials, stratify patients, and provide therapeutic insights.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 Nucleai collaborates with pharmaceutical companies, licensing its research platform for internal use and developing biomarkers. It has partnered with 10 pharmaceutical companies, including Merck and Debiopharm Group, on various phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for treating non-small cell lung, breast, and cervical cancer as of February 2022. In July 2022, the firm partnered with multiomics analytical service provider Sirona Dx to identify new spatial biomarkers in solid tumors. Sirona Dx will provide Nucleai and its customers with a contract research organization partner in order to launch its diagnostic algorithm for use in biopharma clinical trials.&nbsp;
 
 
 Funding and Financials
 
 
 The firm&rsquo;s latest funding took place in March 2022, when it raised USD 33 million in a Series B funding round led by Section 32 and Sanofi Ventures. A portion of the funds was allocated for the further development of the company's spatial biology analysis platform. In addition, the funds were earmarked for the expansion of its commercial footprint among biopharma companies and contract research organizations.
 
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IDRx is a biopharmaceutical company developing precision combination therapies for cancer treatment. The company aims to address the limitations of current precision cancer medicines by creating highly selective drug combinations that target key tumor escape mechanisms.&nbsp;The company's lead product candidate, IDRX-42, is an oral selective KIT inhibitor acquired from Merck KGaA, designed to target all major categories of activating and resistance mutations in patients with KIT-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). As of June 2024, IDRX-42 was being evaluated in the Phase 1/1b StrateGIST 1 study for patients with metastatic and/or unresectable GIST who had previously received one or more prior lines of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.In November 2023, IDRx presented preliminary clinical data from the StrateGIST 1 study at the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) Annual Meeting. The data reportedly showed anti-tumor activity and a favorable safety profile for IDRX-42 in heavily pre-treated GIST patients, with the objective response rate being 23% across all 28 evaluable patients and 43% in second-line patients.IDRx's pipeline also includes IDRX-73, another small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor acquired from Blueprint Medicines, designed to inhibit key genetic drivers and drug-resistant mutations of GIST. As of 2024, IDRX-42 had Orphan Drug Designation by the US FDA for the treatment of GIST.&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsThe company entered a licensing agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to obtain IDRX-42 in 2022. In the same year, IDRx also acquired IDRX-73 through a licensing agreement with Blueprint Medicines.

Artificial intelligence is identifying and testing new therapies faster than ever.

AI Drug Discovery

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 Nucleai is an AI-powered drug discovery platform that leverages spatial biology mapping technology and pathology data to predict patient response to cancer treatments and support precision medicine drug development. The company&rsquo;s ATOM platform uses computer vision and machine learning algorithms to predict cancerous tumor progression and immune system response in order to determine the most effective course of treatment. The model replicates a patient's immune system and tumor characteristics by analyzing large datasets of tissue images.&nbsp;
 
 
 The technology is used to discover novel therapies, support clinical trials, stratify patients, and provide therapeutic insights. Further it has access to millions of annotated cells across 12 cancer indications. 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 Nucleai collaborates with pharmaceutical companies, licensing its research platform for internal use and developing biomarkers. It has partnered with 10 pharmaceutical companies, including Merck and Debiopharm Group, on various Phase II and III clinical trials for treating non-small cell lung, breast, and cervical cancer as of February 2022.
 
 
 As of March 2024, the company has over 50 data partners. In July 2022, the firm partnered with Sirona Dx to identify new spatial biomarkers in solid tumors. Sirona Dx will provide Nucleai and its customers with a contract research organization partner in order to launch its diagnostic algorithm for use in biopharma clinical trials. Further, in 
 <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230604005025/en">
 June 2023
 </a>
 , it partnered with Mayo Clinic to focus on several distinct offerings to support drug development.&nbsp;
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/28170">
 April 2024
 </a>
 , the company raised USD 14 million in a funding round led by M Ventures, the venture capital arm of Merck, with participation from Section 32, Sanofi Ventures, and others. The funds were allocated to further implement Nucleai's AI algorithms in prospective patient enlistment for clinical trials. 
 
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Transforming neurological care with innovation

Neurostimulation Tech

Inbrain Neuroelectronics is a pioneering health-tech company dedicated to developing the world's first intelligent graphene-neural platform for treating neurological conditions. Their flagship product, the Intelligent Network Modulation System, has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation as an adjunctive therapy for Parkinson's disease. This system utilizes the unique properties of graphene, a two-dimensional material consisting of a lattice of carbon atoms, to enable ultra-high signal resolution and machine learning software for decoding therapy-specific biomarkers.
The graphene-based neural platform facilitates highly focused, adaptive neuroelectronic therapy to rebalance pathological neural networks. Inbrain's semiconductor-derived brain-computer interface (BCI) technology is designed to decode and modulate brain activity with high resolution, using artificial intelligence to trigger personalized neurological treatment not just for Parkinson's but also epilepsy and speech impairment. In September 2023, the company secured breakthrough designation from the FDA, expediting the regulatory process for their potentially paradigm-shifting neurotechnology.
Inbrain originated as a spin-off from the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) and ICREA in 2020. In July 2021, they partnered with Merck KGaA, a leading science and technology company, to co-develop the next generation of graphene bioelectronic vagus nerve therapies through Innervia Bioelectronics, Inbrain's subsidiary. In 2024, the company is leading the GphT-BCI project in collaboration with ICN2 to revolutionize the BCI landscape by advancing their graphene transistor technology for neural mapping and chronic BCI applications.

Bridging the gap between the human brain and computer

Brain-computer Interfaces

INBRAIN Neuroelectronics is a health-tech company dedicated to developing the world's first intelligent graphene-neural platform. The company's flagship product is the Intelligent Network Modulation System, a groundbreaking device that harnesses the power of graphene to provide highly targeted and adaptive neuroelectronic therapy for treating Parkinson's disease.Graphene, a two-dimensional lattice of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern, is the thinnest and strongest material known to science. INBRAIN's neural platform leverages graphene's unique combination of electrical and mechanical properties to enable ultra-high signal resolution and decode therapy-specific biomarkers using machine learning algorithms. This allows for precise modulation of pathological neural networks, delivering personalized treatment.The Intelligent Network Modulation System received Breakthrough Device Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2023 as an adjunctive therapy for Parkinson's disease. This recognition expedites the regulatory process and facilitates the system's clinical translation. As of September 2023, INBRAIN reported no revenue figures.In July 2021, INBRAIN secured a EUR 14.35 million Series A funding round, one of the largest in the Spanish medtech industry that year. The company was founded in 2020 as a spin-off from the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) and the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), with participation from the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC).INBRAIN acquired Innervia Bioelectronics, a subsidiary developing graphene-based systems for peripheral nerve applications, in collaboration with Merck KGaA. In January 2024, the company announced the GphT-BCI project with ICN2, aiming to revolutionize brain-computer interfaces through graphene transistors.

INBRAIN Neuroelectronics is pioneering real time precision neurology with the world’s first graphene-based brain-computer interface (BCI) therapeutics platform. Our technology combines precise BCI decoding with micrometric modulation to deliver adaptive, personalized treatments for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and stroke rehabilitation. By providing continuous real-time monitoring and autonomous therapy adjustments, our AI-driven platform maximizes therapeutic outcomes while minimizing side effects. Through strategic collaborations, including with Merck KGAa and our subsidiary INNERVIA Bioelectronics, we are extending our innovative solutions to peripheral nerve and systemic disease applications, unlocking the potential of neurotechnology and bioelectronics. For more information, visit www.inbrain-neuroelectronics.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

IDRx is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to transforming cancer care with intelligently designed precision combination therapies. IDRx is headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts and was founded in 2022.

Nucleai is a spatial biology company that has developed an AI-powered platform to enhance drug development and improve patient outcomes. Nucleai’s platform leverages unique tissue datasets to produce insights into cancer biology, increasing clinical trial efficacy and improving patient care. Nucleai works with leading pharmaceutical companies, licensing its research platform for internal use, and collaborating in biomarkers discovery projects.

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company crating novel therapies, and unlocking the potential of Sonelokimab, the novel investigational Nanobody® for the treatment of inflammation, to revolutionize outcomes for patients.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is a science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and electronics.

Merck KGaA

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Intel Launch Academic Research Program in Europe for More Sustainable Semiconductor Manufacturing

Pollution Management Tech

Companies that use AI/ML, satellites, and biosensors for pollutant detection and microbial activity tracking in water, air, and soil quality.

Companies that use biological methods to treat contaminated soils including applications like oil spill cleanup and heavy metal removal.

Companies that use biological methods to provide solutions and systems, such as biofilters and air purifiers, mitigate industrial emissions and enhance overall air quality. It also includes the use of advanced technologies such as AI and biotechnology to develop air purification technology.

Companies that use biological methods to provide solutions for treating contaminated water and wastewater, such as biofilters, bioreactors, and constructed wetlands. It also includes advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and biotechnology to remove contaminants from water.

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

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 Merck KGaA has introduced the Aptegra CHO genetic stability assay, a system leveraging whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics. They assert this innovation enhances biosafety tests for biotech firms. 
 Currently, FDA guidelines require biotech companies to utilize multiple assays to satisfy genetic stability requirements. This traditional group of assays not only costs time and money but often produces data that needs further analysis. The proposed Aptegra platform is said to overcome these hurdles by replacing five assays and four technologies with just one assay using next-generation sequencing technology.
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