Chemistry start-ups originating from Strasbourg

Challenge: Detect thermal and fast neutrons using a single material, distinguishing them from gamma rays, and reduce dependence on helium-3, the supply of which is of strategic importance.

Solution: Lumoxa, a centimeter-sized organic single-crystal scintillator. It is non-toxic, flame-retardant, and thermally stable, and covers a spectrum ranging from 10⁻⁵ to 10⁷ eV, enabling more versatile detectors and simplified instrumentation.

Stage: A startup founded in October 2025, a deep-tech company and spin-off of the CNRS, based at the IPCMS (Strasbourg).

Notable achievement: Winner of Bpifrance's i-Lab 2026 competition.

Challenge: to reduce the environmental impact and dependence associated with the extraction and refining of rare earth elements.

Solution: an alternative magnetic field purification method that is more energy-efficient and sustainable.

Stage: startup founded in 2024 based on research conducted by Bernard Doudin’s team; deep tech—currently undergoing industrialization.

Key milestone:2025 i-Lab Grand Prix.

Challenge: to make surgery safer by improving visibility in the operating room.

Solution: biocompatible fluorescent coating (NICE technology) that can be applied to instruments and devices for real-time visualization (up to ~1 cm).

Stage: a startup founded in 2024, featuring patented technology developed through academic research led by Andrey Klymchenko.

Key milestone:technology developed through five years of research by a multidisciplinary team (IHU, IRCAD, Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathologies).

Challenge: To make it easier for patients to take their medication while minimizing the side effects of treatments for chronic conditions and cancer.

Solution: A natural, biocompatible, and biodegradable albumin-based material for controlled-release drug delivery systems.

Stage: Startup founded in 2024 based on Benoit Frisch and Philippe Lavalle's research ; R&D-preclinical proof of concept.

Key milestone:2024 i-Lab Grand Prix; €1.3 million raised to revolutionize drug delivery for innovative therapies.

Challenge: To develop new treatment options for neurobehavioral disorders and pain.

Solution: A drug candidate that mimics oxytocin with improved efficacy and selectivity.

Stage: Startup founded in 2024 by Marcel Hibert; currently in the preclinical stage.

Key milestone:The result of ~20 years of research; supported by Neurentis plc.

Challenge: To recycle complex plastics that are currently underutilized.

Solution: An electrification process that combines heterogeneous catalysis and electromagnetic induction to produce virgin-quality polymers suitable for food contact.

Stage: startup founded in 2023, industrial pilot (100 kg/day), scaling up in progress.

Key milestone:pilot program at Michelin; target of 1–10 metric tons per day announced (launch in 2026).

Challenge: To strengthen the immune response against cancer and prevent recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer.

Solution: delivery nanoparticles based on a plant virus that has been modified to target specific cells.

Stage: startup founded in 2023, preclinical stage.

Key milestones: €2.7 million raised (2024); selected as one of “100 startups to invest in 2025” (Challenges); clinical trial target set for 2028.

Challenge: To decarbonize challenging sectors (aviation, shipping, and the chemical industry) without driving up costs.

Solution: Technology that combines CO₂ capture and conversion in a single step (to produce e-fuels or molecules).

Stage: startup founded in 2023, with development and gradual industrialization.

Key milestone: €5.5 million raised (2024).

Challenge: To facilitate access to biotherapies and improve patients’ quality of life.

Solution: a solution for the subcutaneous administration of biotherapeutics (proof of concept across multiple antibodies).

Stage: startup founded in 2022; preclinical stage.

Key milestone:Currently raising ~€6 million for regulatory development and a Phase I trial.

Challenge: To rapidly screen and diagnose patients and monitor them at a lower cost.

Solution: Ultra-sensitive fluorescent “nanoantennas” for measuring low concentrations of RNA without enzymes.

Stage: Startup founded in 2022, based on academic research led by Andrey Klymchenko; a deep tech company in the development/pre-commercialization phase.

Key milestone:Technology resulting from 10 years of research + 2 ERC grants (>€2 million); selected as one of the “100 Start-ups to Invest In” (2022).

Challenge: To accelerate the discovery of antibodies and therapies (immuno-oncology, cell therapies).

Solution: A platform that enables the isolation of living cells based on what they secrete (patented detection method).

Stage: Startup founded in 2022 based on academic research led by Alain Wagner; industrialization underway.

Key milestone:Seeking investors to provide approximately €3 million to develop the industrial version of the prototype.

Challenge: To treat cancers that are resistant to current therapies.

Solution: “First-in-class” candidates targeting a tumor “burnout” mechanism.

Stage: startup founded in 2021, preclinical stage.

Key milestone: €1.25 million raised (2023); seeking investors to begin clinical trials; selected as one of the “100 startups to invest in” (2023).

Challenge: To treat neuropathic pain, which is often resistant to treatment.

Solution: “first-in-class” compounds for the treatment of chronic pain; development of extracellular FLT3 receptor inhibitors.

Status: Startup founded in 2020 based on academic research led in part by Didier Rognan; clinical development is in the planning stages.

Key milestone: €7 million raised (2024) to advance the candidate to Phase I; selected as one of the “100 startups to invest in” (2018).

Challenge: To improve tumor targeting and minimize side effects.

Solution: dendritic and magnetic nanoparticles that can be delivered using a carrier system with controlled size.

Stage: Startup founded in 2019 based on academic research led by Delphine Felder-Flesch and Sylvie Begin-Colin.

Key milestone: €13 million raised (2025); pilot plant project in Sélestat.

Challenge: To protect implants and medical devices from bacteria, viruses, and inflammation.

Solution: Coatings made from natural biopolymers with antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Status: startup founded in 2019 by Philippe Lavalle; preparations for clinical trials are underway.

Key milestone: 2019 i-Lab Grand Prix; €1.4 million raised (2021).

Challenge: To improve early detection and medical imaging.

Solution: bioluminescent nanomarkers; rapid antigen test (e.g., RAPIDTECH).

Stage: Startup founded in 2019 based on academic research led by Loïc Charbonnière; R&D and production.

Key milestone: The test was announced to be comparable to PCR (94% agreement rate based on 1,300 tests); results are available in 15 minutes.

Challenge: To transport cells, proteins, and blood without damaging them (medical devices).

Solution: Patented “tube-liquid” technology (gentle pumping).

Stage: Startup founded in 2019 based on academic research led by Thomas Hermans; currently in the pre-industrial stage, with the initial market launch of its “liquid tube” reactor scheduled for the second quarter of 2025 (MVP).

Key milestones: 2020 i-Lab Grand Prix; 920 k€ raised (2023) and EIC Accelerator (2024).

Challenge: To scale up the use of graphene and decarbonize certain processes (localized heating, reduced gas consumption).

Solution: graphene production and applications (heating, conductivity, corrosion protection, etc.) for the aerospace, construction, textile, and healthcare industries.

Stage: startup founded in 2018 based on academic research led by Cuong Pham Huu; industrialization (pilot plant).

Key milestone: 2021 i-Lab Grand Prix; €7 million raised (2024) + planned funding round of over €12 million.

Challenge: To produce molecules faster and more efficiently using compact units.

Solution: AI-driven continuous-flow chemistry (discovery and synthesis).

Stage: startup founded in 2018; industrial development.

Key milestone:De Dietrich Process Systems became a shareholder (since 2023); a “container”-style microfactory project announced for 2026.

Challenge: To improve the management of chronic sinusitis and rhinitis and pave the way for “nose-to-brain” therapy.

Solution: innovative treatments (nosebleeds/chronic sinusitis) and expansion into neurology.

Stage: startup founded in 2017; clinical stage.

Key milestone: €4.7 million (2023) and then €7 million (2025) raised.

Challenge: To improve the efficacy and tolerability of targeted cancer therapies.

Solution: Stable and controllable antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

Stage: Startup founded in 2014 based on academic research led by Alain Wagner; advanced development + industrial partnership.

Key milestone:Major agreement with GSK announced in 2025 (€307 million for the sale of exclusive rights).