Daiichi Sankyo becomes “Golden Ticket” sponsor of the BioM biotech incubator MAxL

The Japanese pharmaceutical company Daiichi Sankyo has become a “Golden Ticket” sponsor of the Bio^M incubator MAxL (Munich Accelerator Life Sciences & Medicine). Through this partnership, Daiichi Sankyo specifically supports emerging biotech start-ups thereby making an important contribution to promoting innovative therapeutic approaches in the biomedical field. The incubator, managed by Bio^M, is specifically designed to support pre-seed and early-stage start-up teams in the life sciences and healthtech sectors. It is intended to facilitate the translation of scientific findings into market-ready products thereby filling an important gap in the start-up ecosystem. MAxL’s Golden Ticket program enables an outstanding founding team to advance its research work in the incubator’s state-of-the-art laboratory and co-working space free of charge for one year. The team also benefits from a tailored mentoring and networking program – including valuable contacts to investors. Daiichi Sankyo is actively involved in the selection process of the applicant teams and offers the winning start-up direct insights into the industry as well as access to its global network of experts and industry contacts.

MAxL: A new hotspot for biotech innovation

The partnership with Daiichi Sankyo is part of a series of strategic collaborations with which MAxL continues to strengthen its position as a leading biotech incubator in Bavaria.

MAxL was officially opened in June 2024 – together with Tobias Gotthardt, State Secretary of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, which is funding the project with 8.5 million euros. Located at the Innovation and Start-up Center for Biotechnology (IZB) in Martinsried, MAxL offers 900 m² of cutting-edge infrastructure and provides researchers on the verge of founding their own companies with tailored support during the early stages of their development.

Seven teams are already benefiting from this unique offer as MAxL users: Leopard Biosciences is developing a CRISPR platform for biomarker testing, while FLASH Tissue Diagnostics aims to improve cancer diagnostics through its 3D tissue analysis technology.

OmicsDiscoveries uses AI-powered RNA sequencing analysis to make genetic testing faster and more accessible, while Twogee Biotech’s proprietary platform helps convert waste streams into valuable and sustainable bio-based products. ARI-tx develops innovative therapeutics in the field of respiratory diseases. RNhale enables inhalable RNA therapy with its proprietary platform technology for formulating RNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles as an inhalable dry powder, and QUASAR Therapeutics develops novel regulators of the complement system to revolutionize the treatment of life-threatening diseases.

With the Golden Ticket program, MAxL is now enabling another start-up to access its infrastructure: Thanks to the partnership with Daiichi Sankyo, the selected team will receive valuable support from a leading global pharmaceutical company.

Golden Ticket 2025

Innovative start-ups from the life science and healthcare sectors can apply for the Golden Ticket 2025 starting in mid-2025. The selection process will begin with a competitive call for applications, followed by a pitch session in which Daiichi Sankyo and MAxL will jointly identify the best candidates.

Dr. Petra Burgstaller, MAxL Co-Lead, Portfolio Management at Bio^M, explains: “The partnership with Daiichi Sankyo underlines the attractiveness of the Golden Ticket program for innovative start-ups. This cooperation not only gives young teams free access to our first-class infrastructure, but also valuable insights and networking from a leading pharmaceutical company.”

Christina Enke-Stolle, MAxL Co-Lead, Partnership Management at Bio^M, adds: “We are delighted to have the support of Daiichi Sankyo as a Golden Ticket Sponsor.  Together, we are working towards the goal of providing targeted support for promising biotech and healthcare start-ups and offering them a platform for their technological development. This partnership shows how industry and young companies can work together to bring innovations into application.”

About Munich Accelerator Life Sciences & Medicine (MAxL)

The early-stage incubator Munich Accelerator Life Sciences & Medicine (MAxL) is an initiative of Bio^M to promote pre-seed and early-stage start-ups in biotechnology and healthtech. The program, which is funded by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, offers state-of-the-art laboratories, co-working spaces, training and networking events as well as targeted support for young founders.

More information: www.bio-m.org/en and www.maxl-biotech.org