Make It Ten: Sirion Biotech
In part three of this little series called Make It Ten, we interviewed Dieter Lingelbach from Sirion Biotech. Sirion is an investment out of our CV II fund. Enjoy reading and as always, fell free to share.
#1 Dieter, please introduce Sirion Biotech in less than 10 words.
SIRION enables drug development to pursue gene therapies and tumor vaccines.
#2 What was the initial impetus or motivation to start Sirion and what is your vision with it?
Gene therapy is the latest in drug development in that genetic defects causing disease can directly be ‘fixed’. So-called gene shuttles, “viral vectors” technically speaking, are the key agents to make such therapies happen. Engineering such viral vectors is a technology challenge on its own.
#3 What company-related recent accomplishment are you most proud of?
With its 10th anniversary, one of SIRION’s technologies was applied in a clinical Phase III study by one of its collaborators. As of now (April 2019), SIRION technology is being applied in 6 clinical development programs. There are an additional 3 preclinical and discovery programs for which SIRION know-how plays a vital role.
#4 Five years from now, what will Sirion look like? What will you be doing yourself?
In 2024, SIRION technology will be applied in more than 10 clinical programs thus increasing the chances that 2–3 such programs will succeed and be approved for commercial markets. SIRION would be entitled to first royalty streams. The company considers investing into own proprietary pre-clinical developments on the basis of its elaborate science network worldwide.
#5 Can you name three adjectives/terms that describe the working culture at Sirion?
In-depth molecular biology competence, high degree of flexibility, good humor
#6 Can you name a detail that nobody really talks about but that is nonetheless crucial for the success of a company?
Trying things out even at the risk of failure is more critical for the company than just trying to do the right things at the risk of standstill. For a strong growth company it is most important to constantly learn new lessons and adapt accordingly.
#7 Which (technological) solution are we still missing in our lives?
A balance between an aging, largely healthy and growing population and a way of life that is more environmentally friendly.
#8 What is worth spending time on other than Sirion?
Work and life balance, social responsibility
#9 Why did you choose Creathor as an investor?
Viral vector technologies are tools for a variety of applications, most prominently in drug development. Creathor, unlike other investors, support tool developments in life sciences.
#10 Make it 10! There must be something that you have always wanted to ask us. What is it?
Dieter: The German society is changing rapidly as can be concluded from recent elections, among others. What is it that may improve the Germans‘ attitude towards investment risk?
Karlheinz: This is a topic that is very important to us and to the venture capital industry in Germany as a whole. It will take time and education, but we are working tirelessly and through the relevant institutions such as the BVK, Bio Deutschland and Invest Europe, just to name a few, to inform the public about the great benefits of investing into start-ups and venture capital funds, not only because of the monetary, but also because of the social and sustainability aspects. A concrete initiative that is being proposed, with France actually being a role model here, is that private investments into venture capital funds are becoming tax deductible.
Thank you, Dieter!
If you would like to learn more about our other investments and our current investment focus, please visit www.creathor.com and get in touch if you think we could be a match.
