University of Washington Institute for Protein Design
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Bringing ideas to life and research to market
Collaborations
Collaborations
Our community collaborations
When joining the BII programs, start-ups become part of an international community focused on bringing ideas to life and science to the market.
In collaboration with our partners, we want to create value for our program companies and our ecosystem. The partnerships support start-ups in their journey and essentially increase their likelihood of success.
Meet our partners below and click on the read more button to learn more about what they offer start-ups in BII’s community.
University and hospital collaborations
Natural proteins evolved over millions of years to solve the most complex challenges on Earth, but we face new and pressing challenges today. The Institute for Protein Design aims to create a new world of synthetic proteins to address these challenges. To achieve this, we are marshaling deep institutional strengths in our faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students, as well as partners from collaborating institutions, innovator networks, and the computer and biotechnology industries. We are bringing extraordinary expertise to bear on a singular focus to advance the potential of protein design.
EMBL, Europe’s flagship laboratory for life sciences, is an intergovernmental organization established in 1974 and supported by 27 member states, two prospective member states, and an associate member state. EMBL performs fundamental research in molecular biology, studying the story of life. It offers services to the scientific community, trains the next generation of scientists, and helps integrate the life sciences across Europe.
Rigshospitalet is the University Hospital of Copenhagen with specialized treatment, research, and education at the highest international level. Through a strong focus on innovation and developing new treatments, services, and solutions for better healthcare, the hospital seeks to benefit patients across the world by being a global pioneer in future healthcare.
The hospital has established a structured process for innovation support, where clinicians receive help from a dedicated team of innovation consultants to convert their research into new medical solutions. The aim is to help design and develop future healthcare solutions with startups and the industry that can bring products to market and scale to make a global impact.
Bispebjerg Hospital is one of the hospitals in the Capital Region of Denmark. Along with several other hospitals and the University of Copenhagen (the Faculty of Health Sciences), Bispebjerg Hospital forms part of the Copenhagen University Hospital.
Technical University of Denmark – DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programs, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today.
The University of Copenhagen was founded in 1479 by the Danish king Christian 1, and today has 37,500 students and 9,000 employees – of whom some 5,000 are researchers – and revenues of DKK 9.1 billion. The University of Copenhagen consistently ranks as the top university in Denmark and Scandinavia. The quality of the University of Copenhagen is underlined by the fact that its researchers have received nine Nobel Prizes.
Aarhus University (AU) is one of Denmark’s largest research and teaching hubs, with its main campus in downtown Aarhus. Rooted in strong disciplines, researchers and students have been generating new knowledge here for over 90 years. Aarhus University has 38,000 students, five faculties, research activities all over the country, and campuses in Aarhus, Herning, and Emdrup.
Research and education of the highest international quality are at the core of our mission, and strong partnerships with our society are at the heart of our activities. Thanks to its size and reputation as a leading research-intensive university, Aarhus University has a strong impact and influence across the entire spectrum of disciplines, locally, nationally, and globally.
Among more than 17,000 universities worldwide, Aarhus University is in the top 100 on several international rankings. With its recently launched business collaboration and innovation initiative, Aarhus University will create even more tangible value for society.
Industry collaborations
Insempra is a biology-powered company enabling businesses to make superior products with nature. They combine bioscience and technology to grow matter for new and better products. Businesses have relied on chemical industrialization processes and petrochemicals for too long, depleting our planet’s limited resources. Therefore, Insempra is committed to driving the regenerative revolution to manufacture at scale in collaboration with nature. Led by a hand-picked team of biologists, technologists and entrepreneurs with rebel hearts, Insempra is here to create a new school of thought and collective action. The time to restore the balance between people and the planet is now. We don’t wait for change. We do what needs to be done to grow a better future.
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases such as obesity and rare blood and endocrine disorders. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 45,000 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. Novo Nordisk’s B shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Novo-B). Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NVO).
Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group committed to helping people around the world build families and live better lives. Headquartered in St-Prex, Switzerland, Ferring is a leader in reproductive medicine, women’s health, and specialty areas within gastroenterology and urology. Ferring has been developing treatments for mothers and babies for over 50 years and has a portfolio covering treatments from conception to birth. Founded in 1950, privately-owned Ferring now employs around 6,000 people worldwide, has its own operating subsidiaries in nearly 60 countries, and markets its products in 110 countries.
Program Advisory Group - Therapeutics
BII’s program advisory group and financing (VC) partnerships focus on improving the likelihood of successful exists for our start-ups. The program advisory group of internationally-oriented VC companies advises BII with selecting start-ups for our programs.
Sound Bioventures is a venture capital fund investing in about-to-be clinical or clinical stage private companies in Europe and USA developing therapies in specialty therapeutic areas.
Sound Bioventures Fund I AB is a registered alternative investment fund under the Swedish Alternative Investment Funds Managers Act. The target size for the fund is EUR 150 million.
Abingworth is a leading transatlantic life science investment firm. They help transform cutting-edge science into novel medicines by providing capital and expertise to top-caliber management teams building world-class companies.
Since 1973, Abingworth has invested in 168 life science companies, leading to 44 M&As and 69 IPOs. Their therapeutic-focused investments fall into three categories: seed and early-stage, development stage, and clinical co-development.
Novo Seeds is the early-stage investment arm of Novo Holdings. Novo Holdings is a leading international life science investor focusing on creating long-term value. As a life science investor, Novo Holdings provides seed and venture capital to development-stage companies and takes significant ownership positions in growth and well-established companies. Novo Holdings also manages a broad portfolio of diversified financial assets.
Sofinnova Partners is a leading European venture capital firm specializing in Life Sciences. Based in Paris, France, with offices in London and Milan, the firm brings together a team of 40 professionals from Europe, the U.S., and Asia. The firm focuses on paradigm-shifting technologies alongside visionary entrepreneurs. Sofinnova Partners invests across the Life Sciences value chain as a lead or cornerstone investor, from very early-stage opportunities to late-stage/public companies. It has backed nearly 500 companies over more than 48 years, creating market leaders around the globe. Today, Sofinnova Partners has over €2 billion under management.
SR One is the corporate venture capital arm of GlaxoSmithKline. The firm invests globally in emerging life science companies pursuing innovative science to significantly impact medical care. SR One’s team of investment professionals in the US and UK have experience spanning basic science, drug development, and commercialization. We take an active role in our portfolio companies and work with management teams and our fellow venture investors to create significant value. In its 30+ year history, SR One has invested >$1.1 billion in nearly 190 companies, and its current portfolio includes 40+ private and public investments.
Program Advisory Group - BioIndustrials
Founded in 2007, Redalpine is a leading European early-stage venture capital investment company, currently managing six venture funds. Redalpine has a sector-agnostic focus, and the diverse team supports more than 70 portfolio companies financially and with its in-house operational and subject matter expertise and extensive international network. Redalpine aims to help talented entrepreneurs turn their visions into reality and scale their businesses into global success stories. Redalpine is based in Zurich, Switzerland.
Wellington Partners is a leading European Venture Capital firm investing in early – and growth-stage life science companies. Wellington Partners focuses on investing in the most promising life science companies in biotechnology, therapeutics, medical technology, diagnostics, and digital health. With funds totaling EUR 1 billion, and more than EUR 400 million committed to Life Sciences, Wellington Partners has been actively supporting world-class private companies translating true innovation into successful businesses with exceptional growth. To date, Wellington Partners has invested in more than 40 innovative life science companies, including Actelion (acquired by J&J), Definiens (acquired by AZ/Medimmune), Invendo (acquired by Ambu), MTM laboratories (acquired by Roche), Rigontec (acquired by MSD), Symetis (acquired by Boston Scientific), Themis (acquired by MSD), Immatics and AMBOSS.
Novo Seeds is the early-stage investment arm of Novo Holdings. Novo Holdings is a leading international life science investor focusing on creating long-term value. As a life science investor, Novo Holdings provides seed and venture capital to development-stage companies and takes significant ownership positions in growth and well-established companies. Novo Holdings also manages a broad portfolio of diversified financial assets.
Sofinnova Partners is a leading European venture capital firm specializing in Life Sciences. Based in Paris, France, with offices in London and Milan, the firm brings together a team of 40 professionals from Europe, the U.S., and Asia. The firm focuses on paradigm-shifting technologies alongside visionary entrepreneurs. Sofinnova Partners invests across the Life Sciences value chain as a lead or cornerstone investor, from very early-stage opportunities to late-stage/public companies. It has backed nearly 500 companies over more than 48 years, creating market leaders around the globe. Today, Sofinnova Partners has over €2 billion under management.
The March Fund (“TMF”) – Technology. Food. Health. TMF is a technology venture capital fund dedicated to the transformation of the multi-trillion-dollar food industry and the expanding global health opportunity this represents. Our focus is on breakthrough technologies and defensible intellectual assets that can be rapidly commercialized and scaled to create healthier and more affordable nutrition solutions.
The Founding Partners are Harold Schmitz Ph.D. (Senior Scholar at the Graduate School of Management, University of California, Davis; Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and former Chief Science Officer at Mars, Incorporated), and Christopher Lai (former Director at Horizons Ventures and former Co-Chairman of Celsius Holdings NASDAQ:CELH).
They have established unique collaborations with a world-class network of universities, companies, researchers, innovators, and industry experts. TMF has unparalleled access to the most exciting technologies, early-stage companies, and founders defining the role of food in the new economy of health.
Program Advisory Group - Health Tech
Novo Seeds is the early-stage investment arm of Novo Holdings. Novo Holdings is a leading international life science investor focusing on creating long-term value. As a life science investor, Novo Holdings provides seed and venture capital to development-stage companies and takes significant ownership positions in growth and well-established companies. Novo Holdings also manages a broad portfolio of diversified financial assets.
Sofinnova Partners is a leading European venture capital firm specializing in Life Sciences. Based in Paris, France, with offices in London and Milan, the firm brings together a team of 40 professionals from Europe, the U.S., and Asia. The firm focuses on paradigm-shifting technologies alongside visionary entrepreneurs. Sofinnova Partners invests across the Life Sciences value chain as a lead or cornerstone investor, from very early-stage opportunities to late-stage/public companies. It has backed nearly 500 companies over more than 48 years, creating market leaders around the globe. Today, Sofinnova Partners has over €2 billion under management.
BioVentures MedTech Funds invests in leading-edge medical technologies. Founded by the highly experienced team of BioVentures Investors, BioVentures MedTech Growth Capital Fund and BioVentures MedTech Innovation Fund target companies that develop next-generation implantable and disposable devices, diagnostics, imaging, and digital health.
Program collaborations
BII’s business acceleration partnerships improve the journey of our start-ups by providing needed tools and expertise.
Bærnholdt is a creative digital agency focused on crafting full digital solutions to fit businesses of all shapes and sizes.
From the first BII website to the online universe that represents BII today, Bærnholdt has helped secure a digital presence that matches the foundation’s growth.
Bærnholdt also helps BII start-ups establish their digital foothold at a level tailored to their needs in the early stages of their venture.
Molecule Consultancy helps BII start-ups develop and communicate their value story and project offerings. Molecule offers a broad range of services, including formulation of message platforms and core narratives, development of websites, and presentation materials – from slide decks over printed materials to videos. Molecule also has substantial experience with media and PR work, including media training, media strategy preparation, media materials development, and media outreaches. To help establish the need and motivate interest, Molecule can also assist start-ups with developing white papers and scientific articles and creating a social media presence for key stakeholders.
Merck has 58,000 employees in 66 countries and provides solutions for problems in life science in collaboration with the global scientific community. Their tools, services & digital platforms empower scientists at every stage, helping deliver therapies.
Merck collaborates with BII’s lab team to ensure that equipment and consumables are available to BII’s start-ups. As a part of BII’s network and the life science ecosystem, Merck also facilitates access to its internal network of experienced profiles in life sciences.
Read about Merck’s many innovation programs here.
To learn more about Merck, visit their website.
The Freemind Group turns non-dilutive funding into a strategic source of funding for life science organizations. Established in 1999, FreeMind is the largest consulting group of its kind, working with academics and industry alike.
Read this article on the Freemind Group’s work for BII’s start-ups.
Visit their webpage if you want to know more about the Freemind Group.
Bech-Bruun is a market-oriented Danish law firm offering a wide range of specialist advisory services. Among other areas, Bech-Bruun is leading in data protection, IP, life sciences, and patents. Bech-Bruun offers free legal counseling in this very field to start-ups funded by BII so the start-ups can feel confident that they have the right legal foundation from the beginning of their journey. Here, a strong and broad data-and IP foundation is vital for ensuring a successful spin-out.
Back Bay’s expert guidance to companies at the earliest stages nourishes insight into the most promising science and technologies in development. They couple this with an exceptional understanding of development strategies globally, resulting in a true partnership for every stage of development.
Back Bay advisors and bankers bring their unique perspectives through landscape analyses and patient journeys, inflection points, capital raise planning, partnering, exit strategies, and more. They can help figure out what to do and then get it done.
As an innovation-driven and customer-focused company, WuXi AppTec improves the productivity of advancing healthcare products through cost-effective and efficient solutions. WuXi AppTec’s open-access platform enables more than 4,100 collaborators from over 30 countries to improve the health of those in need.
Coulter Partners is a board and senior-level executive search specialist focused exclusively on global Life Sciences. From their offices in the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, they work together across boundaries and disciplines to build outstanding leadership teams for their clients in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, health tech, CRO, and services sectors. Their industry-leading reputation is founded on deep sector knowledge and innovative thinking. Their strategy is built on unique team culture and truly global reach.
“Our goal is to bring you the world’s best talent.”
Innovayt helps BII start-ups and researchers obtain funding for their projects through high-quality grant and funding applications. Innovayt offers a broad range of services, including identification and selection of funding opportunities; preparation and writing of effective funding applications; assistance for project management after approval; and training and public speaking related to innovation and finance. In their work with innovation funding, Innovayt can assist BII start-ups throughout all phases of projects, from ideation through application and submission to project management.
HØIBERG is a full-service patent law firm providing services within Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), including Patents, Designs, Innovation Management, and Business Development. They provide expert IPR knowledge in fields ranging from biotech, foodtech, medtech, nanotech, chemistry, and cleantech to hightech. They assist BII projects and start-ups at every stage of development – from idea to realization.
Network collaborations
Synapse is a student-driven, non-profit organization with a presence in the Nordic life science ecosystems that seeks to inspire, develop and connect students through workshops, events, and digital platforms. We expose students to opportunities and support them in making informed career decisions by bringing life science peers together. Learn more about Synapse – Life Science Connect and our work on Synapse – Life Science Connect (synapse-connect.org).
Health Tech Hub Copenhagen‘s purpose is to accelerate the adoption of clever health tech solutions. Solutions that can make health more available, effective, and affordable. The vision is to reach 1 billion people. Privately started and funded, Health Tech Hub Copenhagen connects and work with the stakeholders across the health tech ecosystem including a select group of fast-growing scale-ups, healthcare providers, policymakers, patients and industry partners.
Learn more about Health Tech Hub Copenhagen, our members, and partners on our webpage.
Program Advisory Group Experts
SG
Shomit Ghose
Venture Capitalist & Entrepreneur
HealthTech
EA
Eric Alan Rapp
Partner at VF Venture
BioIndustrials
CN
Chris Newton
Independant consultant
Therapeutics
JS
John Shields
Non Executive Director at Adaptate Biotherapeutics & Microbiotica Ltd.
Therapeutics
CJ
Christel Jørgensen
Consultant, Bactolife ApS
BioIndustrials
PG
Pam Garside
Management Consultant, Newhealth
HealthTech