Only have 1 minute? Here are 3 key takeaways:
- GlycanAge, a Croatian-founded biotech startup focusing on biological age research, secured $4.2M in seed funding led by LAUNCHub Ventures and Kadmos Capital.
- GlycanAge develops cell therapies for hematological and solid tumor malignancies, offering a biological age test, aiming to enable individuals to make informed health decisions.
- With a focus on advancing glycomic analysis and utilizing glycan biomarkers, GlycanAge aims to shift its focus to the diagnostics market, utilizing the newly acquired capital to develop disease-specific prognostic biomarkers and expand its product pipeline.
Croatian-founded GlycanAge, a biotech startup specializing in glycobiology and the science of biological aging, announced closing a $4.2M in a seed funding round, led by Bulgarian early stage LAUNCHub Ventures, focused on tech startups in CEE and SEE, and UK-based deep tech fund Kadmos Capital.
The company, founded in 2020 by Gordan Lauc and Nikolina Lauc, develops cell therapies for hematological and solid tumor malignancies. At its core, GlycanAge is a test that measures biological age, providing insight into how lifestyle and the environment are influencing the aging process. The company’s main objective is to enable individuals to make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle. GlycanAge’s clients include both longevity research laboratories, as well as end clients.
GlycanAge’s co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Gordan Lauc, alongside his team, has been working to advance high-capacity glycomic analysis and utilize glycan biomarkers for precision medicine. In 2017, Dr. Lauc initiated the Human Glycome Project, set to establish glycomics as a pivotal technology in disease detection, patient stratification, and monitoring therapy responses.
Glycans play key roles in many biological processes, revealing that they undergo changes in over 70 diseases, and in some cases, up to a decade prior to symptoms and diagnosis.
The newly acquired capital will be utilized in a strategic shift from the longevity space to the broader diagnostics market. With the goal of developing disease-specific prognostic biomarkers, this funding will enable GlycanAge to establish a regulatory strategy and product pipeline.
“This funding round marks a significant milestone for GlycanAge, and we are excited to continue our journey towards transforming healthcare and empowering individuals to take control of their well-being“, said Nikolina Lauc, CEO of GlycanAge.
The company is also backed with additional grant support, including a $140K grant from Mubadala’s accelerator program HUB71, and a $220K from an EU AI grant. The EU funding is specifically aimed at bridging the gap between diagnostics and AI.
