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§ Private Profile · Schlieren, Zurich, Switzerland
Memo Therapeutics is a technology company.
Memo Therapeutics AG is a late-stage biotech company focused on developing best-in-class therapeutic antibodies for viral infections and cancer. The company utilizes a unique approach that translates specific human immune responses into highly effective medicines. Their lead asset, potravitug, is a monoclonal antibody engineered to combat BK virus infection, a significant threat to kidney transplant recipients.
The company's foundation rests on the core insight that the human immune system can generate unparalleled therapeutic agents. This understanding drives their drug discovery platform, which systematically identifies and optimizes naturally occurring antibodies. Memo Therapeutics thus leverages the body's own defense mechanisms to create highly targeted biological therapies.
Memo Therapeutics primarily serves patients facing severe viral infections, such as BK virus in immunocompromised individuals, and those with certain cancers. The company’s overarching mission is to improve patient outcomes by delivering superior, precisely engineered antibody therapies. Their vision is to translate human immune biology into transformative medical solutions.
Memo Therapeutics has raised $97.9M across 6 funding rounds.
Memo Therapeutics has raised $97.9M in total across 6 funding rounds.
Memo Therapeutics has raised $97.9M across 6 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $22.0M Series C in May 2024.
Memo Therapeutics has raised $97.9M in total across 6 funding rounds.
Memo Therapeutics's investors include Kurma Partners, Adjuvant Capital, Fresenius Medical Care Ventures, GF Group, Pureos Bioventures, Redalpine, Schroders Capital, Swisscanto Invest, Verve Ventures, Vesalius Biocapital, Thomas Harth, Veronica Gambillara Fonck.
Memo Therapeutics AG (MTx) is a late-stage Swiss biotech company developing best-in-class therapeutic antibodies targeting viral infections in transplant patients and novel oncology indications.[1][2][3] Its lead product, potravitug, is a highly potent monoclonal antibody in Phase II trials for BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) viremia in kidney transplant recipients, addressing a condition that doubles kidney loss risk and triples mortality with no approved treatments available.[1][2][3] The company serves transplant patients and cancer sufferers, leveraging its proprietary DROPZYLLA® platform to translate human immune responses into superior medicines, with partnerships including Ono Pharmaceutical and universities like ETH Zurich.[1][3]
MTx demonstrates strong growth momentum, having completed patient recruitment in the largest-ever placebo-controlled Phase II trial (SAFE KIDNEY II, NCT05769582) for potravitug, involving 90 U.S. patients to assess safety, tolerability, and efficacy.[2] Additional programs target cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections (preclinical) and oncology via DROPZYLLA®, positioning MTx for potential first-in-class therapies in unmet needs.[3][5]
Founded in Switzerland, Memo Therapeutics pioneered antibody discovery through immune repertoire analysis, evolving from early platform development to late-stage clinical assets.[3][4] Key figures include co-founder and CSO Christoph Esslinger, PhD, alongside CEO Erik van den Berg, CMO Jürgen Beck, MD, and CDOs Gerald Parzmair, PhD, and Frits van Alphen, MD; the board features independent chairperson Paul Carter and non-executives from partners like Ysios Capital.[1]
The idea emerged from exploiting microfluidic single-cell cloning to capture full B-cell repertoires across species, enabling rapid screening of millions of antibodies for functional properties—initially via platforms like MemoMAB and DROPZYLLA®.[4][5] Pivotal early traction came from validating potravitug as the most potent anti-BKPyV antibody in trials, fueled by collaborations with University Hospitals of Zurich and Bern, and oncology work with University of Basel and ETH Zurich.[1] A 2025 study published in *Frontiers in Pharmacology* highlighted potravitug's transcytosis across kidney barriers, underscoring clinical progress.[6]
Memo Therapeutics rides the wave of precision biologics in transplant immunology and immuno-oncology, where antibody therapies address rising transplant volumes (e.g., kidney transplants) amid antiviral resistance and BKPyV's 10-30% incidence without treatments.[2][3] Timing aligns with post-pandemic emphasis on viral threats in immunocompromised populations and AI-enhanced discovery platforms like DROPZYLLA®, accelerating from repertoire mining to clinic.[3][4]
Market forces favor MTx: growing biologics market (projected >$500B by 2030), unmet needs in transplant virology (BKPyV linked to graft loss), and Switzerland's biotech hub status enabling talent and funding.[1][3] It influences the ecosystem by partnering platforms for antigen discovery, advancing Swiss innovation in global healthcare, and validating human immune-derived antibodies over synthetic designs.[1][3]
Memo Therapeutics is poised for Phase II potravitug readout from SAFE KIDNEY II, potentially yielding the first approved BKPyV therapy and catalyzing partnerships or acquisition in transplant antivirals.[2] Oncology pipeline expansion via DROPZYLLA® could yield INDs by 2027, riding trends in repertoire-based discovery and combination immunotherapies amid rising cancer incidence.[1][3]
Evolving influence may see MTx as a platform leader, licensing tech to big pharma while advancing assets; success hinges on trial data and funding in a high-interest biologics market, ultimately transforming outcomes for vulnerable patients as in its mission.[1][2]