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Elicera Therapeutics AB

Elicera Therapeutics AB: Advancements and Funding from EIC Accelerator Program

SwedenEIC Accelerator2022

Table of Contents

  1. The EIC Accelerator Project
  2. The Funding Rounds
  3. The Press Releases
  4. The Technology Advancements
  5. The Partnerships and Customers
  6. The Hiring and Company Growth
  7. The Media Features and Publications

1 The EIC Accelerator Project

The EIC Accelerator program, part of the European Innovation Council (EIC), plays a pivotal role in advancing the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem. Designed to support high-potential small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, the program focuses on innovative projects with a strong potential for commercialization and societal impact. By providing financial support through grants and equity investments, the EIC Accelerator aims to bridge the funding gap often faced by early-stage companies, enabling them to scale their innovations and bring transformative solutions to market.

Funding Structure of the EIC Accelerator

The EIC Accelerator offers a unique funding model, comprising two main components: grants and equity investments.

1. Grants: The program can provide grants of up to €2.5 million. These funds are typically aimed at supporting the development and testing of innovative ideas, covering expenses related to research, development, and initial market introduction.
2. Equity Investments: In addition to grants, the EIC Accelerator offers equity investments, which are crucial for scaling businesses. As of 2024, companies can receive equity funding of up to €15 million, which will decrease to a maximum of €10 million from 2025 onwards. This equity funding is designed to complement the grants, allowing companies to attract additional private investment and expand their operations effectively.

Purpose of the EIC Accelerator

The primary purpose of the EIC Accelerator is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the European Union. By targeting deep-tech sectors and supporting high-risk, high-reward projects, the program encourages the development of groundbreaking technologies that can lead to significant advancements in various industries. The EIC Accelerator not only provides financial backing but also offers mentorship, networking opportunities, and strategic guidance to help companies navigate the complexities of scaling their innovations and securing further investments from private sectors.

Role in Scaling Companies

The EIC Accelerator serves as a catalyst for companies looking to scale their operations. By providing substantial financial support and facilitating connections with investors, the program empowers startups to enhance their products, expand their teams, and explore new markets. The EIC's backing often signals credibility to private investors, making it easier for companies to attract additional funding. This strategic support is essential for startups aiming to transition from concept to commercial viability, allowing them to compete effectively in global markets.

Elicera Therapeutics AB and the CD20CARNAPT Project

Elicera Therapeutics AB, a winner of the EIC Accelerator, is a pioneering company in the field of immunotherapy. Their project, CD20CARNAPT, focuses on advancing CAR T cell therapies, which are innovative treatments designed to treat various types of cancer by harnessing the body’s immune system.

Project Overview: CD20CARNAPT

The CD20CARNAPT project is centered around the iTANK technology platform, which stands for "inducible T cell activation and killing." This universal technology aims to enhance the efficacy of CAR T cell therapies by inducing a dual mode of action. Unlike conventional CAR T therapies that operate through a single mechanism, the iTANK platform enables a more versatile approach, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes for patients.

Technology Basics and Background

CAR T cell therapy involves modifying a patient’s T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically target cancer cells. While these therapies have shown remarkable success against certain hematological malignancies, challenges remain, particularly in solid tumors. The iTANK platform addresses these limitations by allowing for precise control over T cell activation and function, thereby enhancing the therapeutic response.

The dual mode of action inherent in the iTANK technology allows T cells to not only recognize and kill cancer cells but also to activate a broader immune response against the tumor microenvironment. This approach can potentially overcome the immunosuppressive nature of solid tumors, leading to more effective and durable responses in patients.

Elicera Therapeutics' focus on developing novel immunotherapies positions the company at the forefront of cancer treatment innovation, making it a significant player in the European DeepTech ecosystem. The funding received through the EIC Accelerator will facilitate the advancement of the CD20CARNAPT project, moving it from the research phase toward clinical application and ultimately benefiting patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.

In summary, the EIC Accelerator program represents a critical initiative for fostering innovation within Europe, providing essential funding and support to startups like Elicera Therapeutics AB. Through projects like CD20CARNAPT, the program not only enhances the potential for transformative therapies but also strengthens the European startup landscape, driving advancements in healthcare and beyond.

2 The Funding Rounds

# Elicera Therapeutics AB: Funding Journey and Financial Growth

Elicera Therapeutics AB is a Swedish clinical-stage cell and gene therapy company focused on developing next-generation immuno-oncological treatments. Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, the company specializes in enhanced oncolytic viruses and CAR T-cells, with a proprietary technology platform called iTANK (ImmunoTherapies Activated with Nap for efficient Killing).

EIC Accelerator Grant

In June 2022, Elicera Therapeutics received a significant financial boost when it was awarded 2.5 million Euros (approximately $2.7 million) from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator Programme. This highly competitive grant is awarded to less than 5% of applicant companies, highlighting the innovative potential of Elicera's technology.

The grant was specifically allocated to fund Elicera's clinical Phase I/II trial for its CAR T-cell therapy, ELC-301, which targets B-cell lymphoma. According to the company, this funding was sufficient to fully finance the planned clinical study.

The EIC grant is being disbursed in multiple payments: - The initial payment occurred in 2022

  • A third partial payment of EUR 500,000 was announced on February 12, 2025
  • The fourth and final payment of EUR 375,000 is expected to be disbursed in 2026

The recent EUR 500,000 payment was granted following reported progress in the ongoing Phase I/IIa clinical study called CARMA, which is evaluating the safety and efficacy of the CAR T-cell therapy ELC-301.

Funding History

Elicera Therapeutics has participated in several funding rounds since its founding: First Financing (October 2020)

  • Completed its first share issue securing 13.2 million SEK (approximately $1.3 million)
  • This financing helped launch the company based on research from Professor Magnus Essand's group at Uppsala University
  • Jamal El-Mosleh was announced as CEO during this round

Vinnova Grant (January 2022)

  • Received 5 million SEK (approximately $554,000) from Vinnova, Sweden's innovation agency
  • European Innovation Council Grant (March/June 2022)

  • Awarded €2.5 million (approximately $2.7 million) from the European Innovation Council Accelerator Programme
  • According to available data, Elicera Therapeutics has raised a total of approximately $5 million in funding to date.

    Investor Information

    Elicera Therapeutics has received funding from several sources:

    1. Multiple investors in the initial October 2020 share issue (specific investors not named in the sources)
    2. Vinnova - Sweden's innovation agency provided grant funding in January 2022
    3. European Innovation Council - Provided the largest single funding amount through its Accelerator Programme in 2022

    The company is publicly traded, with shares listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.

    Current Status and Development

    As of April 2025, Elicera Therapeutics continues to advance its clinical programs, particularly the Phase I/IIa CARMA study for ELC-301. The company recently reported "promising observations in the treatment of B-cell lymphoma" according to CEO Jamal El-Mosleh.

    The CARMA study is being conducted at Uppsala University Hospital and Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge, with plans to include three cohorts (dosing groups) in Phase I, followed by a Phase IIa expansion to further evaluate efficacy.

    No information about company valuations, exits, IPOs, buyouts, or acquisitions was available in the provided search results.

    Sources: - Elicera Therapeutics receives 2.5 million Euros in EU funding

    3 The Press Releases

    Overview of Elicera Therapeutics AB

    Elicera Therapeutics AB is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company based in Sweden, specializing in the development of cell and gene therapies for cancer treatments. The company received EIC Accelerator funding in March 2022. Since then, Elicera has made significant advancements in its pipeline and collaborations.

    Recent Developments

    • CARMA Study: Elicera continues to advance its Phase I/IIa CARMA study for its CAR T-cell therapy, ELC-301, which targets B-cell lymphoma. The study focuses on determining the optimal dose and has shown promising results with the first patient achieving a complete response without severe side effects.
    • iTANK Platform: Elicera's proprietary iTANK technology is a key component of its strategies. It aims to enhance the efficacy of CAR T-cell therapies, particularly in solid tumors. The company has entered international collaborations, such as with a Spanish research institution, to leverage the iTANK platform.
    • Partnerships: In 2024, Elicera partnered with a prominent US cancer center to evaluate the iTANK technology in T-cell receptor therapies targeting skin and lung cancers. This collaboration involves making parts of the iTANK technology available for preclinical studies.
    • Financial Updates: In early 2024, Elicera successfully raised approximately SEK 27.6 million in capital and proposed a rights issue of units valued at about SEK 64 million.
    • Team and Events: Elicera’s co-founder, Magnus Essand, was invited to present the company’s CAR T-cell projects at the world's largest cancer immunotherapy conference. Additionally, the Chief Scientific Officer will speak at the Swedish Cancer Research Meeting in May 2025.
    • Oncolytic Virus Programs: Elicera has two oncolytic virus candidates: ELC-100 and ELC-201. ELC-100 is undergoing clinical trials for neuroendocrine tumors, while ELC-201, armed with the iTANK platform, is in preclinical development.

    Press Releases and Updates

    Elicera regularly publishes updates and press releases on its website, detailing progress in clinical trials, partnerships, and company events. These releases highlight the company's focus on advancing its pipeline and leveraging its iTANK technology to enhance cancer treatments.

    Sources

    4 The Technology Advancements

    Elicera Therapeutics AB: Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Advancements Since receiving EIC Accelerator funding, Elicera Therapeutics AB has made significant strides in clinical development, intellectual property expansion, and strategic partnerships. Below is a detailed account of their progress:

    Clinical Trials and Demonstrations

    • CARMA Phase I/IIa Trial: The company advanced its CAR T-cell therapy (ELC-301) into clinical trials for B-cell lymphoma. By February 2025, the trial had progressed sufficiently to trigger a third EIC grant payment of €500,000. Initial safety assessments were completed for cohort 1, with tumor response data expected in later phases.
    • Automated Production Development: Collaborations with Karolinska University Hospital and Uppsala University aimed to automate manufacturing of CAR T-cell therapy ELC-401 for future trials.

    Technology Enhancements

  • iTANK Platform Validation: The proprietary iTANK platform, which arms CAR T-cells with immune-stimulating properties, demonstrated potential in overcoming tumor microenvironment challenges. Preclinical results published in Nature Biomedical Engineering (Impact Score 25.7) highlighted its ability to enhance CAR T-cell efficacy against solid tumors.

  • Intellectual Property and Publications

    • EU Patent Grant: In July 2023, the European Patent Office granted protection for iTANK’s use in CAR T-cell therapies until 2036. This strengthened commercialization prospects and partner negotiations.
    • Research Outputs: No new peer-reviewed studies are explicitly mentioned post-EIC funding beyond prior preclinical validations. However, interim trial updates were disclosed via financial reports and press releases.

    Strategic Outcomes

    • EIC Milestone Payments: The company secured €500,000 in February 2025 as part of a four-phase grant (totaling ~€2.5M), linked to progress in the CARMA study. A final €375,000 disbursement is anticipated by 2026 upon further clinical milestones.
    • Industry Validation: Major acquisitions by Novartis and AstraZeneca underscored market confidence in cell therapies like those developed by Elicera.

    Sources Used

    4. Collaboration on Automated Production (Note: Correct source should refer to Annual Report at Elicera Year-End Report) – however per provided data see item #9 below
    5. Primary sources derived from provided search results:
    • Year-End Report January–December 2023 (URL placeholder; actual report linked at https://mb.cision.com/Public/20218/3751613/[PDF])
    • All other URLs cited inline correspond directly to provided search result links (–).

    Note: While specific whitepapers are not cited here due to absence in available materials; clinical trial updates dominate public disclosures.

    5 The Partnerships and Customers

    Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations Driving Elicera Therapeutics' Growth Since receiving EIC Accelerator funding in March 2022, Elicera Therapeutics AB has expanded its strategic partnerships to advance its proprietary iTANK platform and drug candidates. These collaborations focus on preclinical validation, clinical development, and commercialization of next-generation cell and gene therapies.

    Key Partnerships

    1. LifeSci Consulting (2023–present)
    • Role: Transaction advisor for evaluating licensing agreements and strategic partnerships.
    • Purpose: Accelerate business development by leveraging LifeSci’s global network (5,000+ industry contacts) to secure non-dilutive funding and licensing deals for the iTANK platform.
    2. Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University (CMU4) (June 2024)
    • Collaboration: Preclinical evaluation of oncolytic virus candidate ELC-201 in organoid models for pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and bladder cancer.
    • Outcome: Potential expansion into Asian markets via proof-of-concept data generation.
    3. Unnamed U.S. Academic Partner (March 2023)
    • Focus: Preclinical studies to adapt iTANK for T-cell receptor therapies (TCR-T), broadening applications beyond CAR T-cells.
    • Significance: Positions Elicera within leading U.S. cancer research ecosystems while validating platform versatility.
    4. Baylor College of Medicine (December 2021 onward)
  • Scope: Contract manufacturing of ELC-201 under GMP standards to support clinical readiness.

  • Market Positioning & Technology Advancements

    • Licensing Strategy: The iTANK platform is being commercialized through partnerships to address solid tumors—a $25B+ market where current CAR T-cell therapies struggle due to immunosuppressive microenvironments. Early-stage collaborations with academic institutions aim to validate efficacy across diverse oncology indications before pursuing large-scale pharmaceutical alliances.
    • Scalability: LifeSci’s involvement streamlines deal structuring for milestone-based revenue models, while CMU4’s organoid testing provides asset de-risking ahead of clinical trials.

    Sources Used in This Analysis

  • Elicera recruits LifeSci Consulting | ELC-201 collaboration with CMU4 | Annual Report 2023 | Year-end Report 2024.
  • 6 The Hiring and Company Growth

    Elicera Therapeutics AB: Team Dynamics and Growth Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Elicera Therapeutics AB, a Swedish clinical-stage cell and gene therapy company, has not publicly disclosed specific details about its current headcount, hiring activities, or team growth metrics in available reports. However, strategic developments since 2022 suggest organizational scaling to support clinical trials and platform expansion.
    • Team Growth Indicators: The company secured nearly SEK 40 million in research grants by 2023, reflecting increased operational capacity. A rights issue of approximately SEK 64 million was proposed in January 2024 to fund its CARMA study (a Phase I/II trial for CAR T-cell therapy ELC-301) and advance its iTANK platform. Such financing typically correlates with team expansion in R&D and clinical operations.
    • Key Positions: While explicit hires are unspecified, Elicera’s collaboration with LifeSci Consulting (February 2023) for strategic partnerships implies bolstered business development capabilities. External research grants for CAR T-cell production improvements (December 2023) also signal specialized roles in manufacturing or process engineering.
    • Leadership Stability: Co-founder Magnus Essand remains active as a scientific figurehead, presenting at major conferences like CICON. CEO Jamal El-Mosleh continues leading the company without management changes reported since the EIC Accelerator win.

    The absence of direct hiring announcements suggests recruitment may focus on niche roles tied to trial execution or platform licensing—critical for scaling their therapies toward commercialization.


    Sources

    + Elicera Therapeutics AB Homepage

    7 The Media Features and Publications

    Overview of Elicera Therapeutics AB

    Elicera Therapeutics AB is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company based in Sweden, specializing in the development of cell and gene therapies for immune-based cancer treatments. The company utilizes its proprietary iTANK technology platform to enhance the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapies, which are pivotal in treating various cancers, including B-cell lymphoma and glioblastoma.

    Media Features and Publications

    Elicera Therapeutics has been featured in several publications, primarily focusing on its advancements in CAR T-cell therapies and the company's participation in significant conferences. Notably, the company has presented initial clinical data from its CARMA study at the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) Meeting 2025. This study demonstrated promising results, including complete tumor remission in the first patient treated with ELC-301, a CAR T-cell therapy targeting B-cell lymphoma.

    Podcasts and Interviews

    While there are no specific mentions of podcasts featuring Elicera Therapeutics directly, the broader context of cell and gene therapy innovations has been discussed in various podcasts, such as "The Top Line" by Fierce Biotech, which explores challenges and advancements in cell therapies.

    Conferences and Presentations

    Elicera Therapeutics has been actively involved in several conferences:

    • International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) Meeting 2025: The company presented initial clinical data from the CARMA study, showcasing complete remission in the first patient treated with ELC-301.
    • Swedish Cancer Research Meeting 2025: Elicera Therapeutics' Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Magnus Essand, will present the company's CAR T-cell program and preliminary efficacy data from the CARMA study.
    • Eighth International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference (CICON): Magnus Essand was invited to present the company's CAR T-cell projects, focusing on ELC-301 and ELC-401.

    Events and Involvement

    The company participates in various events, including investor meetings. In 2024, Elicera invited investors to meetings on February 28 and 29. Additionally, the company was involved in a collaborative project to improve CAR T-cell production, which received research support of SEK 850 thousand.

    Recent Developments

    Elicera Therapeutics has continued to advance its CARMA study following the safety committee's assessment of the first cohort. The study evaluates the safety and efficacy of ELC-301 in treating B-cell lymphoma. The company also received approval to initiate the Phase I/II study for ELC-301 in B-cell lymphoma in early 2024.


    Sources: - Elicera Therapeutics AB

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