GCIR member: Karl-Heinz Krause
Karl-Heinz Krause is full professor at the Department of Pathology and Immunology at the University of Geneva. He obtained his MD and PhD at Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany. He is a trained specialist in internal medicine and infectious diseases and has a joint appointment with the Geneva University Hospitals. His research is centered around molecular mechanisms and therapy of age-related diseases. His main fields of research are reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating NADPH oxidases, as well as pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. For both topics, his research team puts a particular focus on physiology and pathologies of the central nervous system. Of particular importance among his stem cell research activities is the development of engineered neural tissues. Professor Karl-Heinz Krause has also been active in the biotechnology field. He is coinventor on numerous patents. He is also cofounder of several start-up companies, including GENKYOTOX (development of NADPH oxidase inhibitors), Neurix (pluripotent stem cell-derived neural tissues), Transcure bioservices (stem cell-based humanized mouse models), Antion Biosciences (therapeutic minigenes and HIV cure), and HPlus therapeutics (development of proton channel inhibitors).
Read more here: https://www.unige.ch/medecine/pati/en/groupes/60krause/
PRESENTATION SUMMARY
Biotech is a mere continuation of translational research by other means
The vocation of academic research has shifted over the last decades. Fundamental research remains crucial, but the ivory tower is less and less accepted, and the importance of translational research is increasing. Yet, while academic funding is indispensable for funding early-stage translational research, advanced stages of such endeavours require financial means that go far past the amounts obtained through classical funding. At this point, the translational researcher can either transfer the concept (typically a patent) to existing companies or create a spin-off. I have not made good experience with the transfer of patents to existing companies (patent hording, volatility in company priorities, …). In contrast, albeit being a major effort, I am much satisfied with the creation of spin-off companies. In my presentation, I will summarize and compare spin-off companies, where I have been involved as a founder. More specifically, I will discuss: i) financing (non-dilutive funds, business angels, VCs, direct company income, …), ii) different types of spin-off companies (therapy development, innovative technologies, contract research organisation), and iii) team building.