Targeting the root cause of endometriosis

FimmCyte’s founders, Dr. Valentina Vongrad and Dr. Mohaned Shilaih, drew on their previous experience in women’s health companies and academic research to address a critical gap in the treatment of endometriosis. Current therapies are largely symptomatic, typically relying on hormonal treatments to manage pain and heavy bleeding, but fail to address the underlying causes of the disease. In severe cases, patients often require surgery to remove endometriotic lesions or cysts, procedures that can come with significant side effects and frequently fail to prevent recurrence. Together with Prof. Brigitte Leeners, head of the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology at University Hospital Zurich, they co-founded FimmCyte to develop non-hormonal, disease-modifying therapies for late-stage endometriosis that directly address the root cause of the disease.

Using sophisticated genomics analyses, extensive literature review, and deep domain expertise—further validated through patient samples obtained from a clinical study—the team identified a novel target that is differentially expressed in endometriotic lesions. Building on this discovery, FimmCyte developed antibodies designed to selectively eliminate endometriotic tissue. This approach promises to address inflammation, fibrosis, and lesion growth at their source, with the potential to provide long-term disease control, reduce the need for invasive surgery, and offer a safer, more sustainable treatment option for patients.

BaseLaunch supported FimmCyte even before its formal founding, providing critical expertise in antibody development strategy and together with the BioInnovation Institute, the UZH Life Sciences Fund, and additional investors provided the funding required to advance the antibody program through in vivo validation and clinical candidate selection. Beyond early financing, BaseLaunch worked closely with the founders to build out the company, including bringing in Markus Kalousek—former Global Head of Search & Evaluation at Novartis—as Chair of the Board.

In early 2026, FimmCyte secured a strategic collaboration with Gedeon Richter to advance the program toward the clinic. Under the agreement, Gedeon Richter holds an exclusive option to license the antibody prior to the initiation of first-in-human clinical studies for further development and commercialization.