BaseLaunch announces that Johnson & Johnson Innovation has renewed its commitment becoming latest strategic partner in the second phase

BASEL, Switzerland, Sept. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BaseLaunch, the Basel Area-based biotech venture accelerator and incubator, today announces their renewed strategic partnership with Cilag GmbH International, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, who becomes the latest company to join the second phase of BaseLaunch's endeavor to fuel the next generation of biotech companies. The agreement was facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation.

Johnson & Johnson Innovation, which supported BaseLaunch's first phase, joins recently announced healthcare, pharma, venture fund and biotechnology strategic partners, including Roche, BB Pureos Bioventures, Roivant Sciences, Bridge Biotherapeutics and CSL Behring, in supporting BaseLaunch's investment in life sciences innovation.

Nerida Scott, Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, EMEA, commented: "Incubators and accelerators are central to the global healthcare startup ecosystem. We have been collaborating with BaseLaunch since launch in supporting the growth and development of early-stage biotech ventures and recognize the contribution the team has made towards achieving their goals. We are delighted to continue to support Baselaunch Phase II in its mission to launch the next generation of breakthrough scientific innovation."

Stephan Emmerth, Director of Business Development & Operations BaseLaunch, added: "We are delighted that Johnson & Johnson Innovation is continuing its collaboration with BaseLaunch. Working together with our dynamic group of international and entrepreneurial partners, BaseLaunch Phase II will support cutting-edge early-stage biotechs to achieve financing and grow their therapeutic ventures in the Basel Area."

BaseLaunch is an accelerator and incubator for early stage ventures developing cutting-edge therapeutics. BaseLaunch helps build companies from inception through to Series A funding, providing financing and supporting all aspects of business development. During 2018 and 2019, BaseLaunch supported nine early therapeutic ventures which have raised over USD 100 million in equity capital from US and European venture funds, thereby contributing to the life sciences ecosystem of the Basel Area. Recently, BaseLaunch has added another four ventures to its portfolio, and has been instrumental in contributing to the development of six more ventures in the Basel Area. Building on the success of its first phase, BaseLaunch Phase II increased funding per venture to a maximum of USD 0.5 million (versus USD 0.25 million previously) and now accepts applications all year round, establishing BaseLaunch as a permanent initiative and the premier partner of choice for scientists and entrepreneurs that want to build potentially life-saving therapeutic ventures.

BaseLaunch is operated by Basel Area Business & Innovation, the investment and innovation promotion agency of the Basel Area. During its first phase (2017-2019), BaseLaunch was supported by Roche, Novartis Venture Fund, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Pfizer and Roivant Sciences. Having entered its second phase, BaseLaunch is gearing up with new commitments, harnessing the Basel Area's unique position as a global life sciences hub, as well as its rising popularity among investors, to attract the next generation of breakthrough companies. BaseLaunch Phase II is now open for applications. Interested groups can find information at www.baselaunch.ch/apply/.

About BaseLaunch

BaseLaunch is the Basel Area-based incubator and accelerator that helps scientists and entrepreneurs launch exceptional biotech companies. BaseLaunch serves as a growth platform for early stage ventures developing cutting-edge therapeutics. BaseLaunch helps build companies from inception through to Series A funding, providing financing and supporting all aspects of business development. Operationally run and financed by Basel Area Business & Innovation, the investment and innovation promotion agency of the Basel Area, BaseLaunch partners with leading global pharma companies and venture funds - those announced to date being Roche, BB Pureos Bioventures, Roivant Sciences, Bridge Biotherapeutics and CSL Behring - which also feed into the pool out of which BaseLaunch funds ventures. Regional and domain partners include the cantons of Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt and Jura as well as Alloy Therapeutics, KPMG, SpiroChem, Vossius & Partner and Infors HT. Since 2018, BaseLaunch supported ventures have raised over USD 100 million. Harnessing Basel Area's unique position as a global life sciences hub, as well as its rising popularity among investors, BaseLaunch is looking to attract the next generation of breakthrough companies. Interested groups can find more information at www.baselaunch.ch

About Basel Area Business & Innovation

Basel Area Business & Innovation is the investment and innovation promotion agency dedicated to helping companies, institutions and startups find business success in the Basel Area. The organization targets and attracts companies to settle, supports founders of innovative ventures, and drives high growth initiatives in order to establish the region as the Swiss business and innovation hub of the future. The non-profit agency focuses on growing the area's cutting-edge industries life sciences, healthcare and production technologies and manages the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area which houses the organization's accelerator programs. The agency serves the cantons of Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt and Jura. www.baselarea.swiss