LenioBio Secures €3.7 Million EU4Health Funding to Enhance ALiCE® for Efficient Protein-Based Medicine Production

LenioBio Secures EU4Health Funding for ALiCE® Development

LenioBio GmbH has recently made headlines by securing a substantial funding of €3.7 million from the EU4Health program, managed by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). This funding will be used to further develop ALiCE®, a cell-free protein expression system designed for the rapid and cost-efficient production of protein-based medicines.

The project commenced on July 1, 2025, and is set to run until the end of 2027. It marks a significant milestone in LenioBio's goal of enhancing the availability and affordability of essential medications within Europe. By focusing on innovative manufacturing processes, the project aligns perfectly with the strategic initiatives of the European Union to ensure a robust healthcare system.

The Potential of ALiCE®

ALiCE® is positioned as a transformative technology that facilitates the swift synthesis of complex proteins without reliance on living cells. This system not only streamlines the process of drug development but also holds the promise of empowering various areas like vaccine production and antibody therapies. With this recent funding, LenioBio intends to scale up its production capabilities by optimizing yields and transitioning to continuous manufacturing processes.

The primary aims of the project include:
1. Enhancing the yields of lysate production and increasing batch sizes to support continuous manufacturing.
2. Expanding ALiCE®'s capabilities for targeted classes of therapeutic proteins, including vaccines and multi-specific antibodies, by designing new functionalities and demonstrating scalable modular production methods.
3. Establishing the groundwork for the production of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) quality lysates through developing analytical qualifications, quality systems, and regulatory submission dossiers.

A Strategic Investment for Europe

LenioBio's initiative is not just about profit; it is also a crucial part of a broader strategy to bolster the technological and health sovereignty of Europe, especially in light of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The European Commission has identified the project as a key demonstration of strategic importance, awarding it the STEP seal, which indicates its relevance to enhancing Europe’s health security mechanisms.

André Goerke, the CEO of LenioBio, remarked on the significance of this grant, stating, “This funding represents an important step for LenioBio. It enables us to evolve our platform further and broaden its application to drug production, providing a forward-looking solution for the agile production of new and complex proteins.”

This initiative directly supports the EU’s strategic objective of improving the availability and accessibility of essential medicines across its member states. By focusing on innovative manufacturing processes, the EU4Health initiative aims for a more efficient, cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally friendly approach to medicine production.

A Glimpse into LenioBio's Future

LenioBio GmbH, based in Düsseldorf, has been pushing the boundaries of protein expression technology since its establishment in 2016. The company strives to develop solutions that are not hindered by cellular constraints, thereby advancing the discovery, development, and large-scale production of proteins. Their research and development facilities, located in Aachen, are at the forefront of this innovative approach.

With the support of this EU4Health grant, LenioBio is positioned to advance ALiCE® further to meet both clinical needs and large-scale manufacturing requirements. As the project unfolds, it promises to foster a more resilient healthcare system capable of addressing both current and future health challenges.

The Role of EU4Health

The EU4Health program is a critical response to the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed at strengthening the resilience of European health systems and promoting initiatives that boost health security and access to medical products. As part of this strategy, the program funds actions to enhance the accessibility and affordability of medicines and medical products, ensuring that the lessons learned from recent crises benefit the healthcare infrastructure.

For more information about LenioBio and their innovative projects, visit www.leniobio.com.