Tessellate BIO

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Tessellate BIO focuses on developing therapeutics targeting cancer by leveraging synthetic lethality, a type of genetic interaction where the combination of two genetic events results in cell death or death of an organism. The company’s initial efforts are directed towards validated targets aimed at a specific group of cancers reliant on a process called the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Tessellate BIO has also developed a proprietary companion diagnostic tool capable of detecting ALT-positive cancers.

The company claims to leverage research from international laboratories such as the Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) in Australia and the Instituto de Medicina Molecular (iMM) in Portugal. Their lead program is centered around complexes crucial to the ALT mechanism, particularly focusing on the FANCM protein complex. The company’s research labs located at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst in the UK. They have obtained support from leading life science investors, including BioGeneration Ventures (BGV) and Forbion.

Funding and Financials

The company raised EUR 8 million (~USD 8.8 million) in a seed funding round led by Biogeneration ventures and Forbion Capital Partners in October 2023. The company intended to utilize the funding to progress its primary initiative, which focuses on the DNA damage response (DDR), specifically targeting cancers that rely on the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT).