Illuminating Success: Investors & Portfolio Day
On April 16, xista science ventures hosted its much-anticipated “Investors and Portfolio Day” at the prestigious research institute ISTA. The event, centered around the theme “Shaping Human and Planetary Health”, attracted a diverse audience of 100 investors, funding institutions and entrepreneurs, eager to gain exclusive insights into the remarkable success of our 21 portfolio companies and to meet our expanded xista team.
Roundtable Discussion: Founding in Biotech
Key highlights of the event included a roundtable discussion on founding biotech companies, featuring prominent figures such as Christoph Lengauer, Regina Hodits, Darryl B. McConnell, and Ingrid Kelly Spillmann. Their discussions delved into the nuances of starting drug discovery firms and offered valuable insights into the secrets of biotech startups.
Solutions for Human and Planetary Health
Several of the 21 xista science ventures portfolio companies showcased their remarkable growth trajectories, securing funding even in challenging times.
Solgate, for instance, presented its groundbreaking work on solute carrier-based drug-candidates for genetic diseases including autoimmune disease lupus. Ribbon Biolabs highlighted its platform for automated DNA production of all sizes. Clinical-stage biotech company G.ST Antivirals shared progress on its broad-spectrum antivirals against respiratory infections, including advancements in a phase II clinical trial targeting rhinovirus. Lastly, VALANX Biotech showcased its innovative site-specific protein conjugation platform, enabling precise control and cost-effective production of protein conjugates.
Shifting from human to planetary health solutions, Prewave presented its expertise in predicting supply chain risks using real-time social media analytics. Operating at the intersection of supply chain management, sustainability, and AI, Prewave aims to build the world's first supply chain graph.
In addition to these highlights, a diverse array of startups, including Sarcura, subdron, ReCatalyst, infrared.city, Syntropic, and VitreaLab, made their presence felt at the event.
An Ecosystem for Innovation
Europe’s strength in scientific research and relative weakness in successfully commercializing the fruits of that research has been conventional wisdom for years.
The xista ecosystem continues to serve as a fertile ground for biotech and deep tech spinoffs in and outside of Austria, attracting attention from prominent US investors. xista science ventures' Investors & Portfolio Day provided a platform for meaningful discussions, insightful presentations, and valuable networking opportunities, reaffirming its commitment to advancing innovation in biotech and beyond.
Photo credits: Matthias Hauer



