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Company Profile

Brainever

Unlocking Innovation: How the EIC Accelerator Empowers Brainever in the Fight Against Neurodegenerative Diseases

FranceEIC 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

EIC Accelerator Program Overview

The EIC Accelerator is a flagship funding initiative of the European Innovation Council (EIC), designed to support startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with breakthrough innovations. This program is part of the broader Horizon Europe framework, aiming to foster innovation across Europe by providing financial support and business acceleration services to high-potential companies.

Funding Structure

Grant Component: The EIC Accelerator provides substantial grant funding of up to €2.5 million. This non-dilutive funding is primarily aimed at covering the innovation activities that are critical to bringing a project to a market-ready stage. These activities can include prototyping, testing, and other R&D efforts.

Equity Component: The equity investment can reach up to €15 million until 2024, and will be capped at €10 million starting in 2025. This equity funding is intended to help companies scale up their operations and further develop their products. The equity investment is managed through the EIC Fund, which takes minority stakes in companies to leverage additional private investment.

Purpose in the European DeepTech and Startup Ecosystem

The EIC Accelerator plays a pivotal role in the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem by:

1. Supporting High-Risk Innovations: It backs projects that have the potential for high societal impact but are considered too risky for conventional investors.
2. Driving Competitiveness: By supporting groundbreaking technologies, the program enhances Europe's competitiveness in the global market.
3. Fostering Economic Growth: It stimulates job creation and economic growth by nurturing innovative SMEs and startups.

Role in Scaling and Private Sector Funding

The EIC Accelerator is instrumental in helping companies scale by:

1. Bridging the Funding Gap: It provides crucial financial support at early stages when attracting private investment can be challenging.
2. Attracting Private Investors: By de-risking projects through its funding, the EIC Accelerator makes companies more attractive to private investors, facilitating additional capital inflow.
3. Offering Business Support Services: Beyond funding, the program offers coaching, mentoring, and networking opportunities, helping companies refine their business models and market strategies.

Brainever and the HOMEOBRAIN Project

Company Overview: Brainever, based in France, is an innovative company dedicated to developing novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. They became an EIC Accelerator winner by submitting their proposal on March 23, 2022, and successfully passing the Step 3 interview.

Project: HOMEOBRAIN HOMEOBRAIN focuses on leveraging homeoproteins as a new class of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. These proteins are naturally occurring, playing critical roles in developmental processes and cellular homeostasis.

Technology Basics and Background: Homeoproteins are transcription factors involved in the regulation of gene expression during early development and have potential therapeutic applications due to their ability to cross cell membranes and modulate processes within cells. Brainever's HOMEOBRAIN project aims to harness these proteins to address the complex challenges associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

The project explores the unique properties of homeoproteins to develop treatments that can potentially halt or reverse disease progression, offering hope for millions affected by these debilitating conditions.

By focusing on this cutting-edge approach, Brainever is positioned at the forefront of medical innovation, with the potential to transform the landscape of neurodegenerative disease treatment. Their success in the EIC Accelerator program underscores their commitment to advancing health care through scientific excellence and innovation.

For more information, visit their website: brainever.com.

2 The Funding Rounds

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on March 23, 2022, Brainever, a French biopharmaceutical company, has secured additional funding and support for its projects.

Funding Rounds and Amounts:

  • June 8, 2022: Brainever was awarded a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) under the Horizon Europe funding program. This grant aims to support the development and validation of therapies using the homeoprotein Engrailed-1 for treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). (brainever.fr)
  • May 23, 2023: The company announced that its HomeoSLA project was selected as a laureate of the France 2030 “Innovations in Biotherapies and Bioproduction” call for proposals. The project focuses on demonstrating the clinical efficacy of recombinant human homeoprotein Engrailed-1 in treating ALS by halting disease progression and restoring muscle function. (brainever.fr)

Investors:

Brainever has received investments from several entities, including:

  • European Innovation Council Fund: Provided funding through the EIC Accelerator program.
  • Bpifrance: A French public investment bank supporting innovative companies.
  • iBionext: An innovation ecosystem focused on developing biotech and medtech companies in France.
  • Turenne Groupe: A private equity firm investing in various sectors, including healthcare.
  • Indigo Capital: A mezzanine investment firm.

These investors have contributed to Brainever's growth and development in the biopharmaceutical sector. (pitchbook.com)

Company Valuation:

Specific valuation figures for Brainever are not publicly disclosed. However, the company's successful funding rounds and selection for competitive grants indicate a positive valuation trajectory.

In summary, since March 2022, Brainever has secured significant funding through grants and investments, advancing its innovative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

3 The Press Releases

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on March 23, 2022, BrainEver has published several press releases detailing significant developments:

1. Collaboration with 3P Biopharmaceuticals (October 13, 2022): BrainEver and 3P Biopharmaceuticals announced a long-term collaboration to develop hEng1, a recombinant homeoprotein aimed at treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease. This partnership focuses on advancing the therapeutic potential of hEng1 through combined expertise in biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals. (brainever.fr)

2. Award of €2.5 Million Funding from the European Innovation Council (June 8, 2022): BrainEver secured a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council's EIC Accelerator program. This funding supports the development and validation of a revolutionary therapy using the homeoprotein Engrailed-1 for treating ALS and Parkinson’s Disease. The grant is intended to complete regulatory preclinical toxicity studies, with eligibility for up to €15 million in equity funding for clinical validation. Alain Prochiantz, co-founder and CSO, highlighted the disruptive nature of this discovery in unveiling new therapeutic pathways. (brainever.fr)

3. FDA Orphan Drug Designation for BREN-02 (November 23, 2020): BrainEver received FDA Orphan Drug Designation for BREN-02, a human recombinant Engrailed-1 protein, for the treatment of ALS. This designation recognizes the therapeutic potential of BREN-02 in treating rare diseases and provides benefits such as a seven-year marketing exclusivity period upon approval. (brainever.fr)

These press releases reflect BrainEver's ongoing commitment to advancing innovative therapies for neurodegenerative diseases through strategic collaborations, substantial funding, and regulatory milestones.

4 The Technology Advancements

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on March 23, 2022, BrainEver, a French biopharmaceutical company, has made significant advancements in developing novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Technology Advancements:

  • Homeoprotein Therapies: BrainEver focuses on utilizing homeoproteins, such as Engrailed-1 (hEN1) and OTX2, to halt neurodegenerative disease progression by repairing and rejuvenating neurons. For instance, hEN1 has shown potential in treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) by protecting alpha motor neurons. Preclinical studies have demonstrated its efficacy in human motor neurons derived from ALS patients' induced pluripotent stem cells and in murine models. The BREN02 project is currently in the late preclinical phase. (brainever.fr)
  • Collaborations: In October 2022, BrainEver partnered with 3P Biopharmaceuticals to develop recombinant human homeoprotein Engrailed-1 (hEng1) for treating ALS and Parkinson's disease. (brainever.fr)

Technology Scaling and Market Demonstration:

As of April 2025, BrainEver's therapies are in the preclinical stage, with no public information indicating clinical trials or market demonstrations involving customers or demonstrators.

Intellectual Property and Publications:

BrainEver has published several scientific articles, including:

  • "ENGRAILED-1 transcription factor exerts a paracrine neurotrophic activity on adult spinal cord α-motoneurons" (2022). (brainever.fr)
  • "Perturbed DNA methylation by Gadd45b induces chromatin disorganization, DNA strand breaks and dopaminergic neuron death" (2021). (brainever.fr)

However, there is no publicly available information regarding new patents filed by BrainEver since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding.

In summary, BrainEver has advanced its research on homeoprotein-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and established strategic collaborations. While they have made progress in preclinical research and scientific publications, their technologies have not yet been scaled for clinical use or demonstrated in the market.

5 The Partnerships and Customers

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on March 23, 2022, Brainever, a French biotechnology company specializing in novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, has established significant collaborations and achieved notable milestones:

1. Partnership with 3P Biopharmaceuticals

  • Partner: 3P Biopharmaceuticals, a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in the process development and cGMP manufacturing of biological products.
  • Nature and Purpose: In October 2022, Brainever and 3P Biopharmaceuticals entered into a long-term collaboration to develop hEng1, a recombinant homeoprotein aimed at treating pathologies such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease. (brainever.fr)
  • Market Positioning: This partnership enhances Brainever's capabilities in the development and manufacturing of its therapeutic candidates, positioning the company as a more robust player in the biopharmaceutical sector.
  • Technology Advancements and Scaling: Collaborating with 3P Biopharmaceuticals provides Brainever with access to advanced manufacturing technologies and expertise, facilitating the scaling of production processes for its recombinant proteins.

2. Award from the France 2030 "Innovations in Biotherapies and Bioproduction" Call for Proposals

  • Awarded Project: HomeoSLA
  • Nature and Purpose: In May 2023, Brainever announced that its HomeoSLA project was selected under the France 2030 initiative. The project aims to clinically demonstrate the efficacy of the recombinant human homeoprotein Engrailed-1 in treating various forms of ALS by halting disease progression and restoring muscle function. (brainever.fr)
  • Market Positioning: Securing this award underscores Brainever's innovative approach and strengthens its position in the competitive landscape of biotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Technology Advancements and Scaling: The funding supports the clinical development of Brainever's therapeutic candidate, facilitating advancements in treatment modalities for ALS and potentially other neurodegenerative conditions.

These developments reflect Brainever's strategic efforts to advance its therapeutic pipeline and establish itself as a leader in the field of neurodegenerative disease treatments.

6 The Hiring and Company Growth

Brainever, a French biotechnology company specializing in developing homeoprotein-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, received EIC Accelerator funding on March 23, 2022, for their "HOMEOBRAIN" project. (strata.team)

Current Team Size and Hiring Status:

Specific details about Brainever's current headcount and team size are not publicly available. The company has not publicly announced any recent hiring activities or job openings.

Growth and Key Hires:

There is no publicly available information regarding the extent of Brainever's growth since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding or about any key positions they have recently hired.

Impact of New Team Members:

Without specific information on new hires, it is challenging to assess how these team members might influence the company's future growth and scalability.

Management Changes:

No major changes in Brainever's management or founding team have been publicly reported.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to visit Brainever's official website or contact them directly.

7 The Media Features and Publications

Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding on March 23, 2022, Brainever, a French biotechnology company, has been featured in several media outlets and participated in various events. Below is a summary of their media features, publications, podcasts or interviews, conference participations, and event involvements since that date:

Media Features:

  • Brainever was listed among the 74 companies funded in the March 2022 EIC Accelerator call, as reported by STRATA. (strata.team)

    • Publications:

  • An article by Ventures Thrive highlighted Brainever's receipt of the €2.5 million EIC Accelerator grant. (venturesthrive.eu)

    • Podcasts or Interviews:

  • No specific podcasts or interviews featuring Brainever's team were identified in the available sources.

    • Conference and Fair Visits, Presentations, or Participations:

  • Brainever was among the companies selected to pitch at the EIC & EuroQuity-Bpifrance Deep Tech Investor Day in Paris on March 7, 2023. (eic.eismea.eu)

    • Involvement in Events:

  • Brainever's participation in the EIC & EuroQuity-Bpifrance Deep Tech Investor Day on March 7, 2023, is noted. (eic.eismea.eu)

    • Please note that while these sources provide information up to March 2023, more recent media features and events involving Brainever may not be covered in the available data.

    EIC Accelerator Winner - 2022