We’re excited to have Cancentus join our portfolio. Cancentus, a spin-off from the University of Geneva and the University of Basel, is exploiting oncogene-induced DNA replication stress, a fundamental vulnerability in cancer cells.
The founders of Cancentus are pioneers in this field, providing a powerful scientific foundation to enable highly selective therapeutic interventions targeting this hallmark of tumor biology.
Cancentus focuses on novel targets and innovative therapeutic strategies rather than pursuing “me-too” programs that replicate existing treatments. The company is developing next-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) payloads, selective helicase inhibitors and synergistic combination therapies across carefully selected therapeutic areas linked by replication stress biology. In parallel, Cancentus provides AI-driven drug discovery services, leveraging in-silico approaches for hit identification and lead optimization.
Led by Thanos Halazonetis (CEO and Managing Director) and Giacomo Rossetti (Managing Director), Cancentus has appointed David Pompliano as Chairman of the Board. The company further benefits from the bioconjugation and chemistry expertise of Dennis Gillingham and Joe Vacca, and builds upon foundational work by Camilla Trugenberger, Daniela Carraturo and Michalis Petropoulos.
”With the early support of Innosuisse and now BaseLaunch, Cancentus is well positioned to translate its scientific discoveries into effective therapies. By exploring advanced delivery mechanisms and rational combination strategies, we aim to address the key challenges that often hinder drug development and clinical implementation
Thanos Halazonetis & Giacomo RossettiCEO & Managing Director
Congratulations to the entire Cancentus team on this exciting milestone!
