Breathing through the gut: MedTech startup O¹¹ biomedical secures EIC Accelerator Grant and seed funding to accelerate growth.

March 12, 2024

• Aachen-based MedTech start-up O¹¹  uses the human gut as an alternative respiratory organ to improve the survival rate and quality of life of patients with severe respiratory distress.
• O¹¹ successfully closed a seed financing round with High-Tech Gründerfonds and secured an EIC Accelerator Grant.
• Product RESPILIQ is rapidly approaching market approval.

Aachen, March 12, 2024 – Aachen-based medical technology start-up O¹¹ biomedical GmbH secured its first seed financing round in summer 2023 with the participation of High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), CARMA FUND, RWTH Innovation and a pool of business angels. In addition, O¹¹ was awarded the EU EIC Accelerator Grant in February 2024, paving the way for the accelerated development of RESPILIQ. The spin-off, which was founded as part of the BioTex Institute at RWTH Aachen University/ Aachen University Hospital, continues to be based in Aachen.

The goal of O¹¹ is to improve the survival and quality of life of patients with severe respiratory distress. This affects 6.2 million people worldwide each year. These are patients with acute or chronic respiratory failure, as – for example – caused by Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Current therapies are associated with significant risks or burdens for these patients.

With RESPILIQ™, we have succeeded for the first time in using the gut as an extended respiratory organ. We have developed a simple and safe therapy that enables patients to survive longer and, above all, to enjoy a better quality of life.

Prof. Dr. Stefan Jockenhövel

O¹¹ has developed a minimally invasive, complementary therapeutic approach to the treatment of hypercapnia that meets the needs of both patients and healthcare systems: RESPILIQ™. This breakthrough innovation offers a solution by using the human gut as an alternative respiratory organ to effectively lower blood CO₂ levels.

The successful closing of the seed financing and the EIC Accelerator Grant marks a major step forward in bringing RESPILIQ™ to patients. O¹¹ is also well-positioned for further growth and team expansion.

About O¹¹ biomedical
O¹¹ biomedical, a visionary medical technology start-up that emerged as part of BioTex at RWTH Aachen University/ University Hospital Aachen 2022, aims to improve survival rates and quality of life for patients struggling with severe respiratory distress. O¹¹ has developed a disruptive therapy that allows patients to “breathe out” carbon dioxide via the intestines, freeing them from hours of agonizing ventilation therapy: RESPILIQ™. With currently 6 employees and its own production and development facility in Aachen, O¹¹ is ideally positioned for the future.
o11-biomedical.com

About High-Tech Gründerfonds    
The seed investor High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) finances tech start-ups with growth potential and has supported more than 700 start-ups since 2005. With the launch of its fourth fund, HTGF now has about 1.4 billion euros under management. Its team of experienced investment managers and start-up experts support young companies with expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech start-ups in the fields of digital tech, industrial tech, life sciences, chemistry and related business areas. To date, external investors have injected about 5 billion euros of capital into the HTGF portfolio via more than 2,000 follow-on financing rounds. In addition, HTGF has already successfully sold shares in more than 180 companies.
Fund investors in this public-private partnership include the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, KfW Capital and 45 companies from a wide range of industries.

Media contact  
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH  
Tobias Jacob, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager 
T.: +49 228 – 82300 – 121 
t.jacob@htgf.de