Spin-off GlioCART secures seed funding for innovative immunotherapy targeting brain tumors
GlioCART, a spin-off of the University of Basel, is developing a novel cell therapy targeting both glioblastoma tumors and their protective immunosuppressive microenvironment. The Venture Kick funding initiative is supporting this endeavour by providing CHF 150,000 in seed funding.
17 November 2025
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive form of brain tumor, with a median survival of only about 15 months. Despite decades of research, the standard of care—surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy—has changed very little over the past 20 years. A key therapeutic challenge is the tumor’s ability to suppress immune responses through a complex network of myeloid cells, limiting the long-term effectiveness of current treatments.
Dual-acting cell therapy approach
The biotech startup GlioCART, based in Allschwil, is developing the first cell therapy for glioblastoma that targets both the tumor and its immunosuppressive environment. The engineered immune cells not only recognize and destroy cancer cells but also reprogram the cells that protect the tumor.
By addressing this central resistance mechanism—one that has constrained earlier treatment strategies—the dual-mode therapy could offer patients a more durable and effective therapeutic option against one of the most aggressive forms of cancer.
A growing global market
With approximately 80,000 new GBM cases each year, the spin-off aims to bring meaningful therapeutic progress to patients who currently have no curative options. The addressable market, valued at around USD 3 billion today and expected to reach USD 6 billion by 2033, underscores both the significant medical need and GlioCART’s potential to collaborate with leading biopharma companies to make this innovation accessible worldwide.
The University of Basel supported GlioCART 2024 with a Propelling Grant worth CHF 50,000, which is awarded by the Innovation Office. The funding from Venture Kick will help GlioCART accelerate its strategic development, expand partnerships, strengthen its IP position, and advance the path toward commercialization and global availability of its therapy.
“Venture Kick has played a crucial role in helping GlioCART build a strong corporate and IP foundation, positioning the company for sustainable growth and future strategic partnerships,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Gregor Hutter of the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel.
A multidisciplinary founding team
The founding team combines expertise across business strategy, clinical research, immuno-oncology, and data science. Dieter Willmann (CEO), Gregor Hutter (CMO), Patrice Zeis (COO), and Valerio Sabatino (CSO) bring years of experience in translational medicine, platform development, and company building. Their complementary backgrounds equip the biotech startup to advance a new generation of targeted cancer immunotherapies.
