iniuva GmbH

Startup

iniuva discovers pharmacological chaperones, small molecules that restore the function of misfolded proteins in rare genetic diseases. Founded in October 2022 as a spin-off of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), the company has built a clinical-stage asset, an AI platform, iniuvaVIU®, and seven pipeline programs on about €1M in non-dilutive capital.

The leadership team is in place before Series A. Its CEO co-discovered the chaperone mechanism behind two approved drugs, Kuvan® and Sephience®. He works alongside a COO with a long career at Merck, a Head of Finance and Investment Strategy with a background in M&A and private equity, and a Head of Pipeline Development who previously led a pediatric clinical trial unit.

iniuva combines an owned and a partnered pipeline. Partnered programs validate the platform and bring in income early, while the molecules from the platform stay with iniuva and carry the upside.

In industry, iniuva has a long-standing scientific collaboration with PTC Therapeutics and a library partnership with Enamine.