1abtik AG founded to fight sepsis with novel antibody therapeutics

Switzerland-based biotech firm 1abtik AG was recently founded with the sole focus to develop a game-changing antibody-based therapy for sepsis.

1abtik has now entered the financing phase for the drug development process ranging from the identification of lead compounds to running clinical studies including Phase II. Titus Kretzschmar is founder and chief executive of the company.

Sepsis is a disease with a confirmed very high unmet medical need that may affect any person. It often starts with unspectacular, mostly bacterial but also viral, fungal or parasite infections. However, it then seizes the entire body with a very high rate of mortality of up to 30% - 80%, depending on the severity. Close to 20 million cases of sepsis are assumed worldwide per year. The average population mortality rate related to this devastating inflammation is about 60-80 per 100'000. Moreover, up to 50% of the survivors suffer from the post-sepsis syndrome (PSS). World-wide, sepsis is one of the most expensive diseases requiring intensive care unit and emergency room settings.