Munich Startup: What problem does your solution address?
Christina Beck, clinical development project lead: We address acute and chronic lung inflammation that can develop into pulmonary fibrosis long-term. Our target indication is particularly chronic and exacerbating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Currently, only limited effective therapy options are available for this disease, which is why there is high medical need.
Munich Startup: What can only you do today?
Christina Beck: With RCS-21, we are developing a novel drug that is administered by inhalation and works in a cell-type-specific manner. It is an oligonucleotide that uses our trimannose technology to specifically inhibit miR-21 in macrophages. This makes RCS-21 the first oligonucleotide specifically developed for treating lung inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis.
More than 15 years of research before founding
Munich Startup: What triggered the founding?
Christina Beck: The founding was preceded by over 15 years of research on miR-21 under the leadership of Stefan Engelhardt. Successful preclinical results with RCS-21, which we were also able to publish, were also decisive. Additionally, we received funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (now: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space) through the CoVmiR Grant and received a positive vote from the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM).
Munich Startup: Was there ever a moment when you thought about giving up?
Christina Beck: No, actually not. Of course there are always challenges, but we are convinced of our medication. Our goal is to give people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and related diseases new hope.
Munich Startup: How would you recognize in one year that you are on the right path?
Christina Beck: We would primarily measure our progress against three milestones: positive results from the currently ongoing Phase I study, successful Series A financing, and the start of a Phase II study.
Strong ecosystem & outstanding universities
Munich Startup: Would you found again in Munich and why?
Christina Beck: Yes, absolutely. Munich offers a very strong startup ecosystem, for example with the IZB in Martinsried. There is also proximity to excellent research institutions like LMU and TUM, which enable close collaborations. In addition, we benefit from excellent networking and existing cluster initiatives such as CNATM.
Munich Startup: Perfection or speed?
Christina Beck: For us it is a mix of both. In clinical development, high precision is essential. At the same time, speed plays an important role in competition, which investors particularly pay attention to.
