Invitris: Revolutionizing Drug Development with Protein-Based Solutions

In an era where antibiotic-resistant infections are posing a significant threat to global health, Munich-based start-up Invitris is making groundbreaking strides in drug development. Founded in 2022 by Patrick Grossmann and Kilian Vogele, Invitris has introduced a patent-pending technology platform that leverages synthetic proteins derived from DNA. Their innovative approach promises to simplify and accelerate the creation of novel biological drugs, with a specific focus on combating antibiotic-resistant infections. This article delves into the story of Invitris, exploring their mission, technological advancements, and the potential impact on healthcare.

Unraveling the Founders' Vision

Patrick Grossmann, co-founder and CEO of Invitris, brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to the company. With a background in bioinformatics from esteemed institutions like the Harvard Medical School and ETH Zurich, Grossmann holds a PhD and an MBA. He is driven by a strong desire to use science-based products to positively impact the world. Grossmann's motivation to address antibiotic resistance, a pressing health-economic challenge, led him to co-found Invitris.

Kilian Vogele, the CTO and co-founder of Invitris, is a pivotal force driving innovation and development within the company. Armed with a PhD in synthetic biology from TUM and a remarkable record of five patents, Vogele's expertise played a crucial role in the creation of Invitris' groundbreaking technology. His research during his PhD studies, recognized by prestigious publications like Science magazine and German national TV, laid the foundation for Invitris' transformative approach to drug development.

Revolutionizing Drug Development and Manufacturing

INVITRIS - Simplifying drug development & manufacturing
Their biotech platform creates the newest drugs in the shortest time

Invitris aims to revolutionize the field of drug development by creating protein-based drugs with their platform called Phactory. By leveraging DNA to synthesize synthetic proteins, Phactory enables the efficient production of novel drugs. This breakthrough technology offers significant advantages, making the development process over 10,000 times more efficient and reducing material costs by 100 times.

Protein-based drugs are powerful but expensive
Although protein-based drugs represent only 2% of all treatments, they generate a substantial 40% of total drug revenue. The high cost of these drugs can be attributed to the need for living cells, such as bacteria, to produce them. Working with living cells poses challenges and scaling difficulties as each new drug requires the establishment of unique processes.

One platform to synthesize them all
Invitris' universal biotech platform, Phactory, tackles these challenges head-on. By utilizing DNA, Phactory synthesizes proteins in a single step, mimicking the molecular machinery found in living cells. This cutting-edge platform eliminates the need for handling living cells and allows for the use of conventional vessels, making drug production more efficient and scalable.

Addressing the Antibiotic-Resistant Infection Crisis

Fighting multidrug-resistant infections with bacteriophages
Invitris has placed a strong emphasis on tackling antibiotic-resistant infections, which pose a grave threat to public health. Their primary focus area lies in the utilization of bacteriophages, natural viruses that specifically target bacteria without harming humans. Even in the face of antibiotic resistance, bacteriophages retain their effectiveness, making them a promising solution.

A looming threat to global health
Multidrug-resistant infections are projected to cause 25% more deaths annually than all cancers combined in the coming decades. This alarming statistic highlights the urgency and importance of developing effective treatments. Invitris recognizes the gravity of the situation and strives to provide a solution that can combat this growing crisis.

The role of synthetic bacteriophages
Invitris' innovative platform, Phactory, plays a pivotal role in the development and production of synthetic bacteriophages. By harnessing the power of DNA synthesis, Phactory enables the creation of customized bacteriophages that can effectively target and eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This breakthrough technology not only enhances the efficacy of bacteriophages but also simplifies the production process, making it scalable and cost-effective.

Advantages of synthetic bacteriophages
Synthetic bacteriophages offer several advantages over traditional antibiotics and conventional treatments. Unlike antibiotics, which target both harmful bacteria and beneficial microbiota, bacteriophages have the unique ability to specifically attack harmful bacteria, minimizing disruption to the body's natural microbial balance. This targeted approach reduces the risk of developing antibiotic resistance and provides a more sustainable solution in the fight against infections.

Furthermore, synthetic bacteriophages can be engineered to overcome bacterial resistance mechanisms, allowing for effective treatment even in cases where traditional antibiotics fail. Invitris' expertise in synthetic biology and their Phactory platform enable the design and production of highly specialized bacteriophages tailored to combat specific strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The promise of Invitris' technology
Invitris' breakthrough technology has the potential to transform the landscape of infectious disease treatment. By harnessing the power of synthetic bacteriophages, the company aims to provide healthcare professionals with a powerful tool to combat multidrug-resistant infections. The ability to rapidly develop and customize bacteriophages using the Phactory platform opens up new possibilities for targeted therapies, personalized medicine, and overcoming antibiotic resistance.

Collaborations and partnerships
Invitris recognizes the importance of collaboration and partnerships to drive innovation and accelerate the development and deployment of their technology. They actively seek collaborations with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare organizations to foster a multidisciplinary approach to tackling antibiotic resistance. By combining expertise from various fields, Invitris aims to expedite the translation of their technology into practical solutions that can benefit patients worldwide.

Future prospects and impact on healthcare
Invitris is at the forefront of a paradigm shift in drug development and the fight against antibiotic-resistant infections. With their groundbreaking technology, they are poised to make significant contributions to healthcare by providing effective treatments for infectious diseases that have become resistant to traditional antibiotics. The potential impact of their work extends beyond bacterial infections, as the Phactory platform can be adapted to create protein-based drugs for a wide range of therapeutic applications.

As Invitris continues to refine and expand their platform, the cost of manufacturing protein-based drugs is expected to decrease significantly, making these treatments more accessible and affordable. This could lead to a revolution in healthcare, where personalized and targeted therapies become the norm, improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of infectious diseases on society.

Conclusion

Invitris, with its visionary founders and groundbreaking technology platform, is revolutionizing drug development and manufacturing. By simplifying the creation of protein-based drugs and harnessing the power of synthetic bacteriophages, they are addressing the urgent challenge of antibiotic-resistant infections. With their Phactory platform, Invitris has the potential to transform the treatment landscape, providing healthcare professionals with powerful tools to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. Through collaborations and a multidisciplinary approach, Invitris aims to accelerate the translation of their technology into practical solutions that will have a profound impact on global healthcare. With Invitris leading the way, there is hope for a future where infectious diseases can be effectively treated, improving the well-being of individuals and safeguarding public health.