Exciting news for LIFE Cooperative member Cortalix, this Groningen-based biotech start-up has received an investment of 1 million euros from Future Tech Ventures, the Rabobank Innovation Loan, and various subsidies to accelerate the development and commercialization of its single-domain antibody technology. With the investment in Cortalix, Future Tech Ventures proudly adds the sixth start-up to its portfolio since its launch. The official investment moment took place last week at the Zernike Campus, where Cortalix is located in Innolab Agrifood.
Cortalix is a leading biotechnology company that creates single-domain antibodies and makes them suitable for applications in PET imaging diagnostics, radiotherapy, and CAR-T immunotherapy. Thanks to its own platform for the selection, production, and functionalization of these antibody fragments, Cortalix offers a powerful alternative to traditional antibodies. Nanobodies are smaller, more stable, and more flexible, but retain the same versatile application possibilities, making them ideal for various medical applications such as cancer therapy, molecular diagnostics, and other medical innovations. With the support of Future Tech Ventures, Cortalix takes an important step in its mission to achieve and bring biotechnological breakthroughs to the market.
Ignacio Faustino, investment manager at Future Tech Ventures, is enthusiastic about the investment in Cortalix due to their innovative approach to synthetic nanobody technologies: “We believe that their next-generation humanized nanobodies will provide unparalleled solutions for in vitro diagnostics and targeted therapies, which will have a significant impact on people's health. We are proud to support Cortalix and strengthen Groningen's position as a biotechnology hub, which perfectly aligns with our vision for the future."
From research to clinical application
What sets Cortalix apart from other companies is the development of animal-free antibodies. The nanobodies produced by the company are not only more efficient and stable but also faster and more cost-effective to produce than traditional antibodies. Unique to Cortalix is that they handle everything: from finding and creating these antibodies to actually applying them in the medical world.
Further development of Cortalix
With the investment from Future Tech Ventures, Cortalix will expand its platform with humanized libraries for radiopharmaceutical and CAR-T therapies, making them suitable for clinical applications in humans. This process prevents nanobodies from being recognized as foreign by the body, allowing them to be used more effectively in treatments. “This investment allows us to further refine our technology and prepare it for clinical applications,” says Herman Steen, CEO of Cortalix. “Our goal is to become a leading player in nanobody-based PET imaging, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. This funding brings us a step closer to realizing that vision.”
Collaboration with UMCG
Cortalix works closely with the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) on various innovative projects. One of the key collaborations focuses on the development of new CAR-T cell therapies. By using Cortalix's technology for targeted treatments, cancer patients can be helped more effectively. The collaboration with UMCG provides access to extensive expertise and state-of-the-art facilities, accelerating the implementation of innovative therapies.
About Cortalix
Cortalix was founded in July 2023 but builds on years of expertise in nanobody technology and PET imaging. The company is part of a strong biomedical ecosystem in Northern Netherlands, with collaborations within the LIFE Cooperative, the University of Groningen (RUG), and UMCG. With a dedicated team of five professionals and ambitious expansion plans, Cortalix continues to innovate and work on breakthroughs that have a direct impact on healthcare worldwide.
About Future Tech Ventures
Future Tech Ventures is an investment fund focused on supporting high-tech startups in the proof-of-concept phase, with a particular focus on Northern Netherlands. The fund offers accessible financing, combined with relevant services and an extensive network, to stimulate technological, social, and economic impact.
Source article: Future Tech Ventures
Source picture: Casper Maas Fotografie
In the North, and in Groningen in particular, there are dozens of companies working on innovations in the fields of life sciences and health. There are many hidden gems among them, says Ronald Hesse, director of the LIFE Cooperative partnership. “Millions of patients worldwide have already benefited from innovations developed here in Groningen,” he says.
Researchers at the UMCG and their spin-off CC Diagnostics, located on Campus Groningen, have developed a new test that could make cervical cancer screening more efficient and user-friendly.
A full house, sharp discussions, and an afternoon in which science and industry visibly strengthened one another. The Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon demonstrated that Groningen is not only a strong geographical spot, but also a substantive force within the Dutch life sciences landscape. The event, organized by FIGON (Federation for Innovative Drug Research Netherlands) in collaboration with LIFE Cooperative, brought professionals from across the Netherlands to the north. Researchers, entrepreneurs, developers, and clinical experts gathered around one shared ambition: to bring innovative medicines to patients faster, smarter, and better.Klaas Poelstra, Chair of FIGON, looks back positively on the event: “It was great to see local businesses in the health sector and leading academic scientists engaging in conversation with one another. They have so much to gain from each other.“From what to how What became particularly clear during the Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon was how rapidly the field of drug development is evolving, and how essential collaboration has become. At a time when therapies are increasingly targeted, complex, and costly, the focus is shifting from only what we develop to how we do so: more intelligently, more sustainably, and better aligned with patient needs. This broader context was already reflected in the opening remarks by Klaas Poelstra, who emphasized the importance of continued innovation for the Netherlands’ competitive position and patient care. On behalf of the LIFE Cooperative, Robert Hof highlighted that regional collaboration is a decisive factor: by bringing science, entrepreneurship, and clinical practice closer together, real acceleration can be achieved. The first substantive contributions made it clear that innovation today is not only about new molecules, but also about new delivery methods. Rob Steendam demonstrated how long-acting microspheres can improve treatment adherence and reduce patient burden. Jaap Wieling showed how inhalation technology is evolving into a platform for both local and systemic therapies. Through her research on polyelectrolyte coacervates, Marleen Kamperman placed these innovations within a fundamental scientific framework. After the break, the discussion shifted to clinical translation and advanced nanomedicines. Flávia Sousa illustrated how polymer-based nanomedicines contribute to targeted brain delivery. Ad Roffel underscored the importance of robust pharmacokinetic studies in an era where the demands for evidence continue to increase. Erik Frijlink reflected on innovation within both existing and new delivery systems, while Helder Santos outlined the potential of RNA delivery via nanotechnology for cardiac tissue repair.More than a program During the closing networking reception, it became clear what participants had gained from the afternoon. As Robert Hof, Board Member of the LIFE Cooperative, put it: “The FIGON Winter Afternoon was an excellent event with distinguished speakers and strong engagement. We look forward to the next edition and extend our sincere thanks to Klaas Poelstra and FIGON for hosting the event in the Northern Netherlands.” The common thread throughout the afternoon was therefore unmistakable: the future of medicines does not lie within a single discipline, but in the connections between them. In a time of increasing healthcare pressure, rapid technological advancement, and international competition, such collaboration is not a luxury—it is a necessity. The Dutch Medicines Winter Afternoon showed that this collaboration is firmly rooted in the Northern Netherlands and that Groningen is positioning itself emphatically as a breeding ground and accelerator for innovative drug development.
