Key Investor Signals
CHF 1.4M in grants and institutional support
Venture Leaders reports CHF 1.4M from grants and direct or indirect University of Basel contributions, including CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick.
Selected for Venture Leaders Biotech 2026
NanoZymeX was selected among 10 Swiss biotech startups for Venture Leaders Biotech 2026, including an investor roadshow in Boston.
Peer-reviewed study shows >5-fold antibody reduction
A 2026 peer-reviewed study found enzyme-loaded lipid nanoparticles increased intracellular delivery and reduced anti-drug antibody formation by more than fivefold in mice.
Other Positive Signals
- University of Basel spin-off from a nanopharmaceutical research group.
- Supported by SPARK Western Switzerland and Innosuisse coaching.
Team
Boris Sevarika
Co-founder & CEO
- Completed a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Basel, where he developed the enzyme-delivery platform behind NanoZymeX.
- Qualified as a pharmacist in Germany and holds an MSc in Pharmacy from Saarland University.
- Completed drug-delivery research at the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland and the University of Southern Denmark.
Margarita C. Dinamarca
Co-founder & CSO
- Brings 20+ years of research across neurobiology, drug delivery, blood-brain barrier biology and liposomal systems.
- Research associate in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Basel, focused on advanced drug-delivery systems.
- Corresponding author on University of Basel research into CNS drug delivery using lipid-based nanocarriers.
Eva Hemmrich
Co-founder & Chief Regulatory Officer
- Leads regulatory science at the University of Basel across nanomedicines, gene therapies and rare-disease development.
- Advises biotechnology and pharmaceutical programs on regulatory strategy through PrimeRA Pharma Partners.
- Co-authored regulatory-science papers on nanomedicines and is an invited speaker on lipid nanoparticle regulation.
Product
NanoZymeX is developing a lipid nanoparticle platform for enzyme replacement therapy, starting with GAA for Pompe disease. The particles are designed to protect enzymes in circulation, enter cells through alternative uptake pathways and deliver active enzyme into lysosomes.
Improves enzyme delivery to muscle
The particles enter cells without relying on mannose-6-phosphate receptors. In mice, GAA-loaded nanoparticles increased enzyme activity in skeletal muscle and diaphragm versus free enzyme.
Reduces immune exposure in circulation
Encapsulation keeps the enzyme inside the lipid nanoparticle during circulation. In repeat-dose mouse studies, this reduced anti-drug antibody formation by more than fivefold.
Extends across multiple enzyme therapies
The same lipid nanoparticle platform can carry different replacement enzymes, supporting expansion across lysosomal storage disorders and other enzyme-deficiency diseases.
Market Overview
Pompe disease is a rare inherited lysosomal storage disorder that progressively weakens skeletal muscle, breathing and, in infant cases, the heart. Enzyme replacement therapy is standard care, but many patients still experience limited muscle delivery and declining function over time.
NanoZymeX is initially targeting Pompe while developing a delivery platform that could extend across other lysosomal storage disorders. The opportunity combines a focused rare-disease market with a broader enzyme-therapy category and a concentrated specialist treatment pathway for patients.
Estimated number of new lysosomal storage disease cases worldwide each year.
Projected global Pompe disease treatment market by 2032, indicating continued commercial growth.
Projected global lysosomal storage disease market by 2030, showing growth across the broader category.
15 of 24 adults showed secondary decline in walking ability after initially responding to ERT.
Comparable Outcomes
Genzyme
Genzyme built a leading enzyme-replacement franchise for lysosomal storage disorders, including Cerezyme, Fabrazyme and Myozyme/Lumizyme for Gaucher, Fabry and Pompe disease. Sanofi completed its acquisition of Genzyme in 2011 for about $20.1 billion in cash plus a contingent value right.
Avidity Biosciences
Avidity built antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates that use antibodies to deliver RNA therapies into muscle, with the platform supporting several neuromuscular programs. Novartis completed its acquisition of Avidity in February 2026 for approximately $12 billion in cash.
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Sources
This profile was built from public company materials, ecosystem sources, market references, and professional profiles.