Directory

Pharma startup ecosystem

We track 7 organisations in this sector across 6+ countries.

7 entries.

Azafaros

Leiden, Netherlands · Startup

Azafaros is a clinical-stage biotech company developing oral therapies for rare genetic metabolic disorders, including lysosomal diseases. Its lead development strategy focuses on compounds designed to cross the blood-brain barrier and address severe neurological progression in underserved pediatric conditions.

Controlant

Reykjavik, Iceland · Startup

Controlant is a Reykjavik-born supply-chain visibility company that combines reusable IoT data loggers, cellular-connected gateways, and a cloud analytics platform to give pharma manufacturers, 3PLs, and retailers real-time temperature, humidity, and location data on every shipment in a cold chain. The company became internationally recognized during the COVID-19 pandemic as one of Pfizer's primary visibility partners for global vaccine distribution, where its devices were used to monitor ultra-cold shipments through long intercontinental routes. Beyond pharma, Controlant's platform is used for food, biologics, and other temperature-sensitive goods, with a commercial model that charges per shipment rather than per device so customers avoid the usual capex headaches of traditional loggers. It is the clearest example of Iceland producing a deep-tech, globally relevant supply-chain platform rather than a pure consumer or gaming play.

Fountain Healthcare Partners

Dublin, Ireland · Accelerator

Fountain Healthcare Partners is Ireland's largest dedicated life-sciences venture firm, founded in 2008 as a spin-out from Elan Corporation's investment group. Headquartered in Dublin with an office in New York, it was established by Manus Rogan, Aidan King, Ena Prosser and Justin Lynch, and manages more than €425M across four funds. The firm invests at seed and early stage across specialty pharma, biopharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics — primarily in Europe with selective US positions — typically leading or co-leading syndicates with €0.5–7M initial cheques and active follow-on. Fund III closed at €125M in 2020 with anchor commitments from the European Investment Fund, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, AIB and Japan's Kyowa Kirin, and Fund IV is now active. The portfolio has produced landmark exits including Inflazome (acquired by Roche for €380M upfront, 2020), KaNDy Therapeutics (Bayer, $425M upfront, 2020), Syndesi Therapeutics (AbbVie, 2022), Calypso Biotech (Novartis, 2024) and Vivasure Medical (Haemonetics, 2026). Active holdings include the Irish medtechs Neuromod Devices and Neurent Medical, Germany's Exciva and Belgium's Dualyx.

Hemab Therapeutics

Copenhagen, Denmark · Startup

Hemab is a clinical-stage biotech company developing prophylactic therapies for severe bleeding and thrombotic disorders. Founded by biotech operators with Novo Nordisk roots, the company engineers antibody-based treatments aimed at preventing episodes before they occur in underserved rare-disease populations.

Manus Rogan

Dublin, Ireland · Person

Managing Partner and co-founder of Fountain Healthcare Partners, Ireland's largest dedicated life-sciences fund, which he established in 2008 after a career at Elan and GlaxoSmithKline. He has led biotech investments behind exits including Inflazome (Roche) and Calypso Biotech (Novartis).

mRNA-Based Therapeutics Summit Europe 2026

Berlin, Germany · Event

Dedicated summit in Berlin for mRNA-based therapeutics, bringing together pharma executives, biotech researchers, and clinical development leaders. Covers R&D breakthroughs, manufacturing scale-up, and regulatory pathways for mRNA technologies in Europe. Relevant for biotech startups working on next-generation mRNA platforms and delivery systems.