AATec Medical Announces its Launch with EUR 2.7 million in Seed Financing to Unlock the Therapeutic Potential of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin

• Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is an immuno-modulator with broadband anti-inflammatory and antiviral therapeutic effects
• AATec Medical is developing recombinant AAT initially for respiratory applications in combination with novel inhalation technology
• Clinical studies are expected to start in first half of 2024
• Financing is supported by private investors, industry experts and family offices
• Company is led by experienced team of sector specialists

Munich, Germany – 17 July 2023 – AATec Medical GmbH (AATec), a German biotech company developing a multi-product platform based on recombinant alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), today announced that it has commenced operations with seed financing of EUR 2.7 million from private investors, industry experts and family offices. The funds will be used to scale up AATec’s technology, expand the team and prepare for clinical studies expected to start in 2024. The first product candidate, ATL-105, is a novel AAT formulation for inhalation to treat emerging inflammatory diseases of the lung and respiratory virus infections.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a human serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN) essential for tissue protection from damage by proteases. AAT has immunomodulatory functions and provides broad anti-inflammatory and antiviral therapeutic effects through binding to pro-inflammatory cytokines and targeted protease inhibition. Currently, commercially available AAT products are being used for augmentation therapy in AAT deficiency only, a severe genetic disorder. These AAT products are exclusively produced from human plasma, making them a scarce and expensive resource.

AATec has developed high-yield industrial manufacturing of recombinant AAT and has successfully validated the therapeutic concept in several preclinical models for inflammatory lung conditions and respiratory virus infections. The company’s technology is covered by a portfolio of patents and is based on prior research by the co-founders Dr. Manfred Stangl, Head Renal and Pancreas Transplantation at the University Hospital of Munich and Chief Scientific Officer of AATec, and Dr. Michael Strassmair, Head of Department of Hand Surgery at the Manus Sana hospital in Starnberg/Munich and Chief Medical Officer of AATec. The comprehensive set of available data allows for an early start of clinical development; the company is working towards commencing the first clinical study in the first half of 2024.

The initial focus of AATec will be the development of new therapies for inflammatory conditions of the airways of emerging medical need, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory virus infections and allergic asthma. The long-term R&D strategy includes further conditions such as transplant, AAT deficiency and systemic inflammatory diseases.

Dr. Rüdiger Jankowsky, co-founder of AATec and CEO, said: “I am excited about the enormous therapeutic potential of alpha‑1 antitrypsin which has been validated in our preclinical research. In combination with innovative inhalation technology we will make a decisive difference in the future treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases. Our lean development approach, managed by our expert team and supported by renowned academic experts and industry partners, allows for efficient deployment with clinical studies expected to start in 2024.”

Dr. Karsten Ottenberg, co-founder of AATec and chairman of the board, added: “We are building AATec Medical on our vision of alpha-1 antitrypsin as a molecule with the potential for global societal impact by addressing high unmet medical need in a range of severe diseases, also including today’s endemic and potential future pandemic challenges from virus diseases. I am thrilled that we could establish a seasoned management team under the leadership of the CEO Rüdiger Jankowsky, providing in-depth experience in leading startup companies and end-to-end biopharmaceutical product development.”

About AATec

AATec Medical GmbH is a biotechnology company developing a product platform based on recombinant alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, virus infections and rare diseases. The company has successfully demonstrated proof-of-principle in several indications and is currently preparing for a proof-of-concept clinical trial with the first product candidate ATL-105 for inhaled application in respiratory diseases. AATec was founded by a seasoned interdisciplinary team with long-standing experience in clinical research, biopharmaceutical development and product industrialization. For further information, please visit www.aatec-medical.com and follow us on LinkedIn.