ATANIS Biotech

A simple and reliable allergy test that does not require the allergen to come into contact with the body. Thanks to ATANIS Biotech, a University of Bern spin-off company founded in 2021, allergy sufferers will soon be able to benefit from this innovation.

Teamfoto Atanis Biotech
ATANIS Biotech management team: f.l.t.r..: Co-Founder & CEO Prof. Dr. Jean-Pierre Kinet, CBO Jonathan Friedlander, Co-Founder and Scientific Advisor Prof. Dr. Thomas Kaufmann, COO Erwan Eriau; (missing here: Alexander Eggel, Co-Founder and Scientific Advisor).

The 10 years of basic research behind the technology was conducted entirely at the University of Bern and Inselspital. At the time, two research teams had a vision of simplifying complex allergy diagnostics, which ultimately led to the patenting of a market-ready test system and the founding of a company. 

"ATANIS Biotech is developing a novel, cell-based allergy test that replicates a patient's allergic reaction in a test tube. The current focus is on food allergies, which can currently only be clearly diagnosed by means of oral food provocation," explains internationally renowned allergy expert and co-founder Prof. Dr. Alexander Eggel from the Department for BioMedical Research at the University of Bern and the University Department for Rheumatology and Immunology at Inselspital. 

ATANIS Biotech strengthens Bern as a center of innovation by creating high-tech jobs in the life sciences sector.

“Our test allows allergies to be diagnosed painlessly, safely, and reliably,” adds Prof. Dr. Thomas Kaufmann from the Institute of Pharmacology, who co-founded the company and is now further developing the technology. “ATANIS also offers services for companies in the pharmaceutical and food industries, e.g., for preclinical development or clinical trials of new allergy medications.”  

The team received support particularly from the Entrepreneurship Center and through the STAGE UP Business Creation Award, which it won in 2022. Unitectra was initially a big help with technology transfer and the development of the IP strategy. An Innosuisse Innovation Grant then helped during the transition phase to becoming a company.

Portraits Alexander Eggel und Thomas Kaufmann
Alexander Eggel is Associate Professor at the University of Bern for immunology, molecular biology and allergy research, while Thomas Kaufmann is Associate Professor at the Institute of Pharmocology at the University of Bern and specializes in cell death research.

The project is a clear example of how basic research contributes to creating value for society beyond a local level. “ATANIS Biotech strengthens Bern as a center of innovation by creating high-tech jobs in the life sciences sector. At the same time, the test has the potential to improve the quality of life for allergy sufferers worldwide – with a safe, fast, and sustainable diagnostic solution ‘made in Bern,’” summarizes Thomas Kaufmann.

ATANIS Biotech
Name Founding Year Sector More about the Startup
ATANIS Biotech 2021 Biotech/Life Sciences

atanis-biotech.com