It was the aim of the ACUSLABS PoC grant to commercialize a genetic screening platform. Technically, this screen was a development based on the ERC StG MetAGEn. The Acus screening platform provides a unique tool to identify relevant biological target structures of toxic compounds, such as chemotherapeutic drugs. This addresses a current need in the drug development pipeline that depends increasingly on phenotypic screens that do not easily reveal the target or off-target of a new compound. Having demonstrated feasibility in addressing this problem, we were seeking to perform market analysis, develop a business plan, perform patent research, and to enter into partnering agreements with the support of the PoC funding. Additionally, we planned to further enhance the genetic platform. We successfully reached the goals set out in the initial proposal and were able to establish the company Acus Laboratories GmbH in the fall of 2018. The company is currently working on a number of projects with different commercial partners to analyze compound mechanisms of action.
