bYoRNA

bYoRNA

TechBio, CRO/CDMO

Seed – $10 M raised

Created in 2022

11-20 employees, including 1-5 in the USA

An RNA platform to help keeping the world healthy

bYoRNA is developing a disruptive, patented technology for producing messenger RNA (mRNA) via yeast fermentation, an alternative to the current in vitro transcription (IVT) process. This approach will significantly reduce the immunogenicity of the mRNAs produced, improve their efficiency while allowing for better tissue targeting and diminishing the production cost by two orders of magnitude.

They can produce 10,000-nucleotide mRNA as easily as 4,000-nucleotide mRNA, with neither dsRNA nor fragments, due to the yeast built-in quality control machinery.

Over the past six months, bYoRNA has achieved the necessary productivity and purity levels for testing in cell and animal models. Current work focuses on validating the biological quality of the produced mRNAs, with results expected by mid-2026 in cell models (protein expression and functionality) and then in animal models (tolerance and biological activity).

They have raised $10M+ in dilutive and non-dilutive funding and secured partnerships for proof-of-concepts on 3 critical indications with TRON, the mRNA research institute created by the founders of BIONTECH, as well as a leading animal pharma company and a major European rare disease institute.

This milestone, crucial for demonstrating the quality of their mRNAs compared to those produced by IVT, will enable them to launch their Series A funding round with a target amount of $12 million. This funding will accelerate the scaling up of the fermentation process, industrialize the purification steps, produce pilot batches compliant with pre-GMP requirements, and initiate initial industrial collaborations with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

Ultimately, the technology developed aims to become an industrial platform supporting the development of innovative vaccines and therapies, while reducing the costs and production times associated with current technologies.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Pascal Viguié

Co-founder and CEO

Pessac, France

pascal@byorna.bio

LinkedIn

ICOSA

ICOSA

Services

Created in 2009

51-200 employees

Intellectual Property firm with a unique business-oritented approach

ICOSA is a European intellectual property firm, founded in 2009, specializing in supporting stakeholders in the Health, Cosmetics, Food, Environment, and Tech industries.
ICOSA help companies and investors address intellectual property challenges by protecting, securing, and maximizing the value of their innovations worldwide (patents, trademarks, designs, contracts, etc.).


With a team of 90 multidisciplinary professionals, they combine technical expertise, business vision, and strategic insight to guide clients through every stage of their growth, from start-ups to multinational corporations.
Based in France and Belgium, ICOSA positions itself as a specialist in intellectual property strategy, a trusted partner at the heart of innovation ecosystems, and a key player in creating value across European and global markets.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Caroline De Mareuil Villette

Founding Partner

Paris, France

cdm@icosa.fr

LinkedIn

EXELIOM BIOSCIENCES

EXELIOM BIOSCIENCES

Biotech, Pharma

Series A – $32M raised

Created in 2016

6-10 employees

Unlocking the Full Potential of Cancer Immunotherapy

Exeliom Biosciences is a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a first-in-class oral innate immune modulator designed to enhance the efficacy and durability of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Its lead asset, EXL01, selectively activates the non-canonical NOD2–CARD9 signaling axis, reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages from an immunosuppressive to an antigen-presenting, T-cell–supportive state.

By restoring upstream myeloid competence, EXL01 addresses a central bottleneck in immuno-oncology: resistance driven by dysfunctional innate immunity. Preclinical and translational data demonstrate enhanced interferon signaling, improved antigen presentation, and deeper, more durable ICI responses without triggering systemic inflammation.

EXL01 is currently being evaluated in a randomized Phase II trial in first-line advanced gastric cancer in combination with nivolumab and chemotherapy. Additional expansion studies are ongoing in renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and NSCLC, across Europe and the United States.

Beyond oncology, EXL01 is being developed in other indications, including Crohn’s disease, and infectious disease, where preliminary clinical efficacy signals have been observed.

With patent protection through 2044, a scalable GMP manufacturing platform, and a clear registrational pathway in oncology, Exeliom Biosciences offers partners a differentiated, first-in-class strategy to extend and defend ICI franchises in a post–patent cliff landscape.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Benjamin Hadida

CEO & Co-founder

Paris, France

bhadida@exeliombio.com

LinkedIn

EFOR Group

EFOR Group

Services

Created in 2013

500+ employees including 200+ in the USA

Global Leader in Life Sciences Quality and Compliance

Efor Group is a global leader in quality and regulatory compliance consulting for the Life Sciences industry. Founded in 2013, the company supports pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device organizations in securing their manufacturing operations and accelerating the delivery of innovative therapies to patients.

With more than 3,000 experts across 18 countries, Efor provides end-to-end solutions covering Commissioning, Qualification and Validation (CQV), Quality Management, and Engineering Compliance. Its approach combines deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of regulatory requirements, enabling clients to ensure the reliability, safety, and compliance of their production systems throughout the entire product lifecycle.

Efor’s innovative model is based on flexible, modular, and tailor-made solutions designed to adapt to each client’s specific challenges, from early clinical phases to large-scale commercial manufacturing. By removing technical and regulatory barriers, the company helps reduce time-to-market while maintaining the highest standards of quality and patient safety.

Committed to sustainable growth, Efor integrates environmental and social responsibility into its operations and aims to become a global benchmark in Life Sciences consulting.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Mickael Pretot

Executive Director

Cambridge, MA, USA

mickael.pretot@efor-group.com

LinkedIn

Natixis CIB

Natixis CIB

Services

Created in 2006

500+ employees

A Global Leading Bank Driven by Talent, Expertise and Transitions

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (part of Groupe BPCE the second largest banking group in France) is a global financial institution offering advisory, financing, and capital markets services. Within Its Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) division, the Healthcare Sector’team supports pharma, MedTech, and healthcare services with deep sector and scientific expertise. Active across Europe, Natixis aims to be the go-to bank for healthcare clients.

They focus on three specific areas: pharmaceuticals (big and midcap pharma, biotech), healthcare infrastructure and services (clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, laboratories, CDMO/CMO) and MedTech. Natixis has a global on-the-ground presence and are one of the most active banks within the industry in Europe aiming to become the healthcare “go-to-bank” for their core clients.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Antonin Rigaudière

Managing Director, Global Head of Healthcare Sector

Paris, France

antonin.rigaudiere@natixis.com

LinkedIn

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Orcom US

ORCOM US

Services

Created in 2006

50-200 employees

ORCOM, your partner in the United States

ORCOM US is a US based accounting and tax services firm with American Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), ACCA and French diplomes “Experts-comptables” (French CPA licensees).

ORCOM US world-class global team brings together the art of accounting and international taxation with the science of technology to help its clients achieve their personal or business goals. They drive their mission through a culture of excellence: constantly improving and learning, supporting performance, and succeeding with integrity.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Frédéric Victor Blanchard

Managing Partner

Miami – Boston – Los Angeles – New York – San Francisco, USA

fvblanchard@orcomus.com

LinkedIn

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