Biotech startup MyoPax won first prize at NLSINvest Awards, out of 40 companies that participated in NLSDays’ start-up pitching challenge on September 28-29.

As part of NLSDays’ investment track, NLSInvest, the 40 selected start-ups were able to pitch their innovative solutions in front of an audience of investors and delegates at the conference. A panel of judges scored each company based on pitch quality, innovation, impact, and investment readiness.

“Both of the winning companies had confident and engaging pitches that thoroughly showcased the unmet medical needs and the patient populations they serve. However, what was so great about this competition is how close the scores were amongst all those the jury ranked highest. So, what that tells us is that we have a lot of potential amongst these innovative start-ups and I fully expect to see successful trajectories for many of them,” commented Chelsea Ranger, chair of the NLSINvest Committee and senior advisor to SwedenBIO, in SwedenBIO’s press release.

First prize – MyoPax

MyoPax is an early clinical stage biotech with sites in Copenhagen (BioInnovation Institute) and Berlin (spin-off Charité University Medicine/Helmholtz Association). The company is developing a platform for regenerative stem cell therapies for the targeted treatment of multiple muscle diseases.

Second prize – Asgard Therapeutics

The runner-up, Asgard Therapeutics, is a Swedish biotech company exploring the application of in vivo direct cell reprogramming for cancer immunotherapy. The company’s TrojanDC technology is designed to set in motion immune responses based on the biological properties of professional antigen presenting cells.

Consulting and review support from some of the award sponsors

The first and second prize consists of consulting and review support from some of the award sponsors, and access to NLSDays 2023 and a company presentation slot in next year’s programme. The first prize also included a cash award.

The panel of judges consisted of representatives from JLABS, AstraZeneca, Hadean Ventures, Sciety, Erik Penser Bank, and Arthur D. Little. The awards were sponsored by Arthur D. Little, Back Bay Life Science Advisors, BIO, SwedenBIO, JLABS, and Erik Penser Bank.

Photo of Verena Schöwel, CEO and co-founder of MyoPax, recieves the NLSInvest Award on stage at NLSDays 2022. From the left: Chelsea Ranger, Verena Schöwel, Frida Lawenius, Peter Bak, and Ulrica Sehlstedt. Photographer: Camille Sonally/SwedenBIO