18.12.2008 Curetis AG receives EUR 1.4 million Investment

Curetis AG, which was founded in 2007, specialises in the development of molecular diagnostic solutions initially targeting severe infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Both the company’s technology portfolios as well as the promising market potential were critical factors in the investment decision by aeris CAPITAL. "The Curetis team combines a long track record in clinical product development, market knowledge and a dynamic management with strong bio-assay development competences," explained aeris CAPITAL partner Dr. Frank Mühlenbeck, who has joined Curetis' supervisory board as chairperson.

In addition, Curetis has been able to further strengthen its supervisory board with Hans-Günter Hohmann, who has over 30 years of experience in leading positions with Hewlett-Packard and Agilent Technologies in its global medical and analytical businesses. He started the diagnostic monitoring business, and was Vice President and the Managing Director of Agilent Technologies Germany. "We are excited about the addition of Hans-Günter Hohmann, an acknowledged expert in international business operations, to our supervisory board," stated Johannes Bacher, one of Curetis' Managing Directors. The Curetis' supervisory board is completed by Detlef Sasse, who held leading positions in Beckman Coulter for more than 30 years and priorto his recent retirement, was Vice President and Head of Commercial Operations in Europe, Africa, India and the near and far East. "The new supervisory board is a valuable asset for Curetis and will provide strong support in the area of investor relations, as well as in building and managing an international operation within the healthcare industry," added Bacher.

Curetis is developing multiparameter diagnostic solutions initially focusing on combating severe bacterial infections. Globally, over 25 million people are diagnosed each year with life-threatening infections such as pneumonia, sepsis or tuberculosis. In the Western world, the annual economic burden associated with severe infections is estimated at over EUR 30 billion. Clinical experts as well as local and global healthcare organisations have expressed a strong demand for new, easy-to-use devices that allow the rapid detection of infectious agents and their potential resistance to antibiotics. The world-wide market potential for molecular microbiology is currently estimated at up to EUR 1 billion per year.

Curetis' Managing Director Andreas Boos recognised an additional market potential: "Technologically, our universal platform will undoubtedly be able to be applied to other disease areas. By focusing on multiparameter testing first, we believe Curetis will be able to position itself as a strong player in the field of molecular diagnostics. Thanks to the initial funding from aeris CAPITAL, we can now expand our operations to build a solid basis for product development, manufacturing and commercialisation." Boos looks forward to a successful and close collaboration with aeris CAPITAL as lead investor to prepare for the next round of financing, in addition to the support from the company`s networks and organizations in the region."We would like to thank BioRegio STERN for their substantial support over the last several months. They played a major part in the process which led to such a successful outcome."

• Print page