#Germany #Düsseldorf #LenioBio #EU4Health #ALiCE

LenioBio Secures Major EU Funding for ALiCE® Development

DÜSSELDORF, Germany, July 23, 2025 – LenioBio GmbH has announced a significant advance in its mission to revolutionize the production of protein-based medicines, securing €3.7 million in EU4Health funding. This grant, awarded by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA), aims to further develop ALiCE®, a cutting-edge cell-free protein expression system. This initiative is part of a broader effort by HERA, the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, to bolster Europe’s health sovereignty and medicine production capabilities.

The Vision Behind the Project

The ALiCE® technology represents an innovative approach to producing medicines rapidly and cost-effectively, which is especially vital in the wake of health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will allow LenioBio to dive deep into enhancing the functionalities of ALiCE® through the project titled "Innovative Protein Medicine Biomanufacturing with Continuous-Modular ALiCE". Set to run until late 2027, the project's goals include:

• - Scaling Production: Optimizing yields, increasing batch sizes, and transitioning to continuous manufacturing processes will be key to expanding ALiCE®’s production capacity.
• - Expanding Capabilities: The project aims to adapt ALiCE® for producing various protein medicines including vaccines and multispecific antibodies by engineering new functionalities and scaling modular production methods.
• - Ensuring Compliance: The groundwork will also be laid for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliant lysate production, essential for regulatory approval and market entry.

André Goerke, CEO of LenioBio, remarked, "This grant represents a critical milestone for LenioBio, enabling us to scale our platform and broaden its application to meet the demands of modern medicine production. We envision a future where novel and complex proteins can be produced swiftly to address urgent medical needs."

Strategic Importance

The EU4Health program aims not only to respond to immediate health crises but also to enhance the long-term resilience of European healthcare systems. By supporting the development of transformative manufacturing technologies like ALiCE®, Europe is taking proactive steps toward ensuring that essential medicines are available, accessible, and affordable.

LenioBio’s project has even garnered the STEP Seal, a designation from the European Commission awarded to initiatives that are strategically significant to Europe’s technological and health sovereignty. This seal is indicative of the project's potential to make a lasting impact on medicine production.

How ALiCE® Works

ALiCE® stands out by allowing for the rapid synthesis of proteins without the constraints of living cells, making it an ideal candidate for agile production environments. Its ongoing development is instrumental not only in vaccine production but also in drug discovery, facilitating quicker responses to health emergencies and ensuring a steady supply of critical medications.

As LenioBio advances through the funding period, the company is positioned to redefine how medical proteins are manufactured, promising to accelerate the availability of vital therapies in the future.

About LenioBio

Founded in September 2016 and based in Dusseldorf, Germany, LenioBio GmbH is pioneering innovative solutions in protein expression technology. As a key player in the biomanufacturing space, the company is committed to breaking down the barriers in protein production and enabling more effective healthcare outcomes.

For more information and updates on their progress, visit LenioBio's website.

Conclusion

With the backing of EU4Health and commitment to innovative manufacturing processes, LenioBio is not only enhancing the production of medicines but is also contributing to a more resilient healthcare system in Europe. The future of medicine production is here, and it’s set to transform how we respond to health crises and meet patient needs efficiently.