Real Tech Fund Invests in Austrianova, developing novel Encapsulation Technology of Cells & Bacteria

Real Tech Holdings is excited to announce its investment in SGAustria Pte Ltd. SGAustria is a Singapore-based biotech company, trading under the name “Austrianova”, with a global footprint and operations in Singapore and Thailand that utilizes a novel and proprietary technology for the encapsulation of living mammalian (Cell-in-a-Box®) and bacterial (Bac-in-a-Box®) cells, using cellulose sulfate-based materials. Through this investment, Real Tech will stand as a strategic partner to support Austrianova’s entry into the Japanese market.

Encapsulation technology, which protects cells and bacteria from various external factors to increase survival rates, is widely used not only in the drug discovery and medical fields, but also in the healthcare and livestock market. The market is said to be worth about USD 270B, and is attracting a great deal of attention as a technological theme. However, capsules made of the current mainstream materials have several issues, for example, rejection by the immune system when injected into the human body. Large qualified refrigeration facilities are also needed for transportation and effective storage which also means that shelf-life is limited.

SGAustria / Austrianova was founded by Dr.Brian Salmons, who has previous experience of taking a European biotech/vaccine company to IPO, and Prof. Walter H. Gunzburg, a professor of virology and an expert in advanced medical treatments such as cell and genetic therapies in Germany and the US. The company’s encapsulation technology is approximately 10,000 times more acid resistant than conventional technology, and can protect bacteria and yeast for at least four hours in a stomach acid environment as well as being able to be stored at room temperature for up to several years. Encapsulated human cells avoid the rejection by the immune system that occurs when they are injected into the body. Austrianova is developing a therapeutic application for pancreatic cancer with PharmaCyte Biotech Inc, an American drug discovery company, and Phase 2 clinical trials are scheduled to begin within this year. They are also conducting other joint research and product development with major business companies as a platform technology that can be applied to a wide range of cells and bacteria.

We have been building a deep relationship with Austrianova through the Enter to Japan Market Program, which our group company, Leave a Nest Singapore, organizes jointly with Enterprise Singapore. Through this investment, we will accelerate collaboration with Japanese business companies to support the expansion of applications and social implementation of Austrianova’s encapsulation technology.

■About SGAustria Pte Ltd

• Date of Establishment: February 2nd, 2009
• Location: 41 Science Park Road #03-15 The Gemini Singapore(117610)
• Representative: Dr. Brian Salmons, Prof. Walter H. Gunzburg
• Capital: 3.3M SGD
• Business Activities: Developing and providing living cell and bacteria encapsulation technologies
• For more Info: https://austrianova.com/
• Date of Investment: July 2021

About Real Tech Holdings Real Tech Holdings is a joint venture between euglena Co.,Ltd ( https://www.euglena.jp/ ) and Leave a Nest Co., Ltd. ( https://lne.st/ ). It supports change makers who give their heart and soul to solve societal and environmental challenges. Real Tech Holding’s manages Real Tech Fund, Japan’s leading deep-tech focused venture capital fund.
HP： https://www.realtech.holdings

▶︎Press Release（PR Times）

For more information, please contact:

Real Tech Holdings Co.,Ltd.
Shinya Narita
https://www.realtech.holdings/contact