AzureCell Therapies secures CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick

AzureCell Therapies, a Biotech spin-off from the University of Geneva, has received CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick to deliver cell-based treatments that replace damaged neurons in Parkinson’s patients.

Parkinson’s disease is an increasingly prevalent neurological disorder that affects over 10 million people worldwide. Current treatments only manage symptoms and fail to halt the disease’s underlying neurodegeneration do not address the underlying neurodegeneration driving the disease. While regenerative cell therapies hold promise to tackle the root cause of the disease by replacing lost dopamine-producing neurons, critical challenges—including tumor risk, scalable manufacturing, and sustained long-term efficacy—must be overcome to unlock the full potential of this transformative therapeutic approach.

AzureCell Therapies is pioneering next-generation regenerative cell therapies using lab-grown neurons derived from healthy donor stem cells, engineered for safety, scalability, and long-lasting functional integration into the brain. Built on two decades of research and proprietary cell- and genetic-engineering platforms, the technology enables controlled production of therapeutic neurons with consistent quality and minimal tumor risk. The result is a rare combination of clinical precision and scalable manufacturing — designed to restore damaged neural circuits and bring long-lasting, disease-modifying benefits to patients.

With a rapidly aging global population, the number of Parkinson’s patients is expected to reach nearly 18 million by 2030, driving the global economic burden from CHF 60 billion to CHF 95 billion annually. The Parkinson’s therapeutics market is forecast to double to CHF 13 billion by 2034, while the broader market for advanced cell therapies targeting neurological conditions could exceed CHF 55 billion by 2032.

With Venture Kick’s support, AzureCell Therapies has secured over CHF 1 million in funding ahead of its planned Q3 2025 incorporation. The funds will boost its production platform, support good manufacturing practice (GMP) transition, and cover core business setup, including brand and IT development.

The Biotech startup combines expertise in neuroscience, stem cell biology, and genetic engineering with a strong venture-building track record. CEO Dr. Bilal Fares is a second-time biotech founder, CSO Prof. Karl-Heinz Krause is a stem cell expert with two successful exits, and SAB Chair Prof. Emi Nagoshi specializes in genetic engineering and Parkinson’s neuroprotection. The team is supported by a global network of biotech entrepreneurs, clinical KOLs, and pharma specialists, uniting science and execution for commercial impact.

“We started with an ambitious vision to reshape cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Thanks to Venture Kick’s timely funding, clear feedback, and strong network, we’ve grown into a team of five with over CHF 1 million in funding and are preparing for incorporation,” highlights CEO Bilal Fares.

➡️ Source: Venture Kick Press Release

📸 ©AzureCell Therapies. L to R: Dr. Bilal Fares, Cofounder and CEO, Lena Grollmus, Research Associate, Dr. Olivia Cattaneo, Science and Business Associate, Prof. Emi Nagoshi, Head of the SAB, Prof. Karl-Heinz Krause, Cofounder and CSO.