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Autobahn Labs Collaboration

Autobahn LabsAutobahn Labs LLC is a drug discovery and development engine funded by Samsara BioCapital, Evotec, and KCK Group. Their goal is to catalyze the translation of nascent academic projects from partner institutions into transformational new medicines. These programs, often too embryonic to attract conventional life sciences venture capital, will be shepherded by a team of experienced drug developers, in conjunction with an R&D partner Evotec, a world-leading CRO, to translate the science into potential therapeutics.

Autobahn Labs Corporate OverviewAutobahn commits up to $5 million in funding and provides the necessary research and development to transform therapeutic projects, or compelling ideas, into validated preclinical drug candidates. A partnership with Autobahn includes access to Evotec's high throughput drug screening and discovery platforms, drug optimization and validation, as well as basic research and preclinical work with cell lines, primary human cells, iPSCs, and animal models. Projects can span various drug modalities including small molecules, antibodies, and other biologics, gene, and cell therapy. All work is done in close collaboration with the academic founders who are expected to be intimately involved throughout the drug development process.

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What's Makes Autobahn Unique?

First, as an investor and partner, Evotec provides their extensive drug discovery and development expertise. Second, Autobahn’s investor base has a long-term view of investing so we can remain involved in a project with our partner universities and faculty for years. Third, we take promising science and generate actionable data in the most capital-efficient way possible.

Project Scope and Goals

The goal of Autobahn Labs is to identify and support promising research projects, ranging from conception to more mature programs that have not yet reached the Preclinical Development Candidate stage (i.e. ready for IND-enabling studies) but have the potential to become novel therapeutics. Investigators do not need to have projects with compounds to be considered. In general, Autobahn is agnostic to disease area and therapeutic approach. We intend to conduct much of the preclinical work at Evotec, who has deep expertise across therapeutic modalities.

Please note that startups and programs that have already been licensed are not eligible.

Successful programs have the following qualities:

  • Strong evidence of target validation (in vitro, in vivo, human ex vivo, human genetic/clinical data)
  • Clear mechanism of action, although compounds that show activity in a phenotypic screen are welcome even if the target hasn’t yet been identified
  • Defined diseased area and patient population

In Scope:

  • Therapeutics
  • Disease area: all, except for Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, ALS and Alzheimer’s. Orphan indications are welcome.
  • Modality: small molecule, biologics, nucleic acids, gene & cell therapy

Out of Scope: 

  • Technologies licensed to startups or other companies
  • Diagnostic or biomarker development (unless coupled to a therapeutics program from the lab)
  • Research tools (reagents, cell lines, animal strains, assays)
  • Reformulation/repurposing of existing drugs, “Me-too” drugs

Program Selection Criteria

Identifying Novel Science: Program Selection Criteria

The goal of Autobahn Labs is to identify and support promising research projects, ranging from conception to more mature programs that have not yet reached the Preclinical Development Candidate stage (i.e. ready for IND-enabling studies) but have the potential to become novel therapeutics.

Scientific Merit

  • Novel science
  • Druggability of target/pathway
  • Level of target/pathway validation
  • Probability of technical success

Development Potential

  • Evaluation of clinical & regulatory pathways
  • Fast path to clinical
  • Proof-of-Concept
  • Attractive Target Product Profile

Opportunity For Impact

  • Unmet medical need
  • Competitive landscape
  • Degree of differentiation
  • Potential for partnering
  • Intellectual Property

To express interest, submit your project information.

Corporate Overview Deck