Key Investor Signals
Raised CHF 1M across non-dilutive grants and equity funding
Translation-X reports CHF 1 million raised through non-dilutive grants and equity funding to support lead development and company building.
Nature study shows MNK1/2 inhibition restored social behaviour
In a genetic autism mouse model, a brain-penetrant MNK1/2 inhibitor normalized translation, restored oxytocin signalling, and improved social novelty responses.
Co-founder contributed to 2 marketed drugs and 7 clinical candidates
Guido Koch brings 25+ years in pharma R&D and biotech leadership, including senior discovery-chemistry and operating roles at Novartis and biotech companies.
Other Positive Signals
- Selected for Venture Leaders Biotech 2026 and joined the programme’s Boston investor roadshow.
- Received Biozentrum Translational Project Funding to test MNK inhibitors in animal models of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.
Team
Özgür Genç, PhD
Co-founder and CEO
- NCCR RNA & Disease Fellow at the University of Basel, where his research focuses on autism-linked neuronal biology.
- First author of a 2020 eLife study showing how autism-linked gene mutations can disrupt neuronal homeostatic plasticity.
- Trained in neuroscience at EPFL and spent about seven years at UCSF in postdoctoral and specialist research roles.
Prof. Peter Scheiffele
Co-founder and Scientific Advisor
- Professor at the University of Basel since 2008, leading research on synapses, social behaviour and autism risk genes.
- Leads the University of Basel team in AIMS-2-TRIALS, an EU-backed autism consortium studying mechanisms, biomarkers and treatment.
- Senior author of the 2020 Nature study showing MNK1/2 inhibition restored oxytocin signalling and social behaviour in mice.
Guido Koch, PhD
Co-founder and Chemistry Advisor
- Co-founded Amphilix and has served as CEO since 2020, providing prior biotech founder and operator experience.
- Spent 22 years at Novartis, rising to Director in Global Discovery Chemistry; contributed to 2 marketed drugs and 7 clinical candidates.
- Served as COO of TOPADUR Pharma from 2018 to 2020, adding operating experience in an early-stage Swiss biotech.
Product
Translation-X is developing oral MNK1/2 inhibitors for genetically defined forms of autism. The compounds are designed to cross the blood-brain barrier and rebalance protein production in neurons, with initial programmes in Fragile X, Phelan-McDermid and tuberous sclerosis.
Restoring normal protein production
The compounds inhibit MNK1/2, enzymes that regulate eIF4E activity, with the aim of restoring normal protein production in neurons where the pathway is overactive.
Designed to reach the brain
The chemistry programme focuses on selective small molecules that cross the blood-brain barrier, supporting direct action on the target pathway in brain tissue.
Starting with autism-linked genetic syndromes
Initial development focuses on Fragile X syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome and tuberous sclerosis complex, where disrupted protein translation is linked to disease biology.
Market Overview
An estimated 61.8 million people worldwide were on the autism spectrum in 2021, about 1 in 127. Medicines can address associated symptoms, but none is approved for core social-communication or repetitive-behaviour symptoms. This leaves a substantial treatment gap across a large global patient population.
Published reviews report genetic syndromes or chromosomal abnormalities in up to 40% of people with autism, creating defined groups for mechanism-led drug development. The global autism therapeutics market was valued at $2.21B in 2025 and is projected to reach $4.06B by 2034, providing an established commercial category.
GBD 2021 estimate, equivalent to about 1 in 127 people worldwide.
Published reviews report genetic syndromes or chromosomal abnormalities in up to 40% of people with autism.
Peer-reviewed estimate of average US lifetime social cost per person with autism, in 2019 dollars.
Estimated global market for autism therapeutics, projected to reach $4.06B by 2034.
Comparable Outcomes
Kaerus Bioscience
Developed KER-0193, an oral small molecule for Fragile X syndrome, one of Translation-X’s initial target syndromes. Servier acquired KER-0193 in 2025 in a deal worth up to $450M, including upfront and earn-out payments.
Neuren Pharmaceuticals
Developed oral NNZ-2591 for genetic neurodevelopmental disorders including Phelan-McDermid and Fragile X syndromes. Acadia expanded its Neuren partnership in 2023 with a $100M upfront payment and milestone economics covering NNZ-2591 and trofinetide.
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Sources
This profile was built from public company materials, ecosystem sources, market references, and professional profiles.