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§ Private Profile · Berlin, Germany
Biotechnology company developing small molecule therapeutics that activate proteasomes for neurodegenerative diseases.
Booster Therapeutics is a Berlin, Germany-based biotechnology company developing small molecule therapeutics designed to activate proteasomes and clear disease-causing proteins. The organization utilizes its DGRADX platform to conduct high-throughput screening and compound development, aiming to restore the natural protein quality control machinery of cells. Its primary research focuses on addressing complex neurodegenerative conditions characterized by impaired proteasome function, initially targeting indications like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. In October 2024, the enterprise officially emerged from stealth mode after securing $15 million in seed financing led by venture capital firms Apollo Health Ventures and Novo Holdings. Following this funding round, the startup appointed Patrick Trojer as Chair of the Board to guide its clinical development strategy. Booster Therapeutics was founded in 2024 by Diogo Feleciano, Darci Trader, and Apollo Health Ventures to pioneer new treatments.
Booster Therapeutics has raised $20.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Booster Therapeutics has raised $20.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Booster Therapeutics has raised $20.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Booster Therapeutics's investors include Jessica Tome Garcia, Apollo Health Ventures, Joao Ribas.
Booster Therapeutics has raised $20.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $5.0M Grant in November 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 16, 2025 | $5M Grant | Jessica Tome Garcia | — | Announced |
| Oct 1, 2024 | $15M Seed | Apollo Health Ventures, Joao Ribas | — | Announced |
Booster Therapeutics is a Berlin-based biotechnology company developing small molecule therapeutics that activate the 20S proteasome to restore cellular protein clearance, targeting neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, as well as other complex indications.[1][2][3][4] The company serves patients with proteinopathies—diseases driven by misfolded or accumulated proteins—by addressing impaired proteasome function, a core mechanism in aging-related disorders where traditional targeted degraders fall short.[2][5] It solves the problem of widespread protein dysfunction in complex diseases through its DGRADX™ platform, which enables high-throughput screening and structural optimization to generate proteasome activators, backed by a $15 million seed round led by Apollo Health Ventures and Novo Holdings in October 2024.[1][2][3]
Launched from stealth in 2024, Booster has shown early momentum with a grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research to advance toward a Phase 1 study, alongside building a multi-disease pipeline and a world-class team.[4][5]
Booster Therapeutics emerged in October 2024 from Apollo Health Ventures' company creation engine, founded by Dr. Diogo R. Feleciano (Co-Founder & CSO), Prof. Dr. Darci J. Trader (Scientific Co-Founder & Advisor from University of California Irvine), and Apollo Health Ventures.[1][2][3][4] The idea originated from Trader's lab work demonstrating that small molecules could directly trigger natural proteasome activation, addressing a gap in treating diseases with multiple dysfunctional proteins.[3][5] Feleciano, with deep expertise in proteasome biology, led the scientific pivot, while Apollo provided initial support to assemble the team.[1][4]
Pivotal early traction included securing $15 million in seed financing from Apollo and Novo Holdings, enabling rapid platform development and a library of activator compounds; Novo Holdings further committed operational expertise via its Seed Lab and entrepreneurs-in-residence.[2][3][6]
Booster rides the protein degradation wave in biotech, shifting from inhibition (e.g., proteasome inhibitors for cancer) to activation for age-related diseases where proteasome impairment drives protein accumulation.[2][4][5] Timing aligns with surging demand for neurodegeneration therapies—Parkinson's and Alzheimer's affect millions amid aging populations—fueled by advances in structural biology and AI-driven drug design that de-risk early discovery.[3][5] Market forces like MJFF funding and investor interest from life sciences giants (Apollo, Novo) favor proteasome modulation, as it offers a "universal surveillance" approach resilient to heterogeneous protein pathologies.[1][5]
Booster influences the ecosystem by validating proteasome activation as a new modality, potentially inspiring pipelines beyond neuro and accelerating "quality control" therapies via its open-sourced insights from platform tech.[2][4]
Booster is primed for proof-of-concept milestones, with MJFF-backed progress toward a Phase 1 Parkinson's study signaling near-term catalysts and pipeline expansion into Alzheimer's and beyond.[5] Trends like AI-accelerated screening and combo therapies with degraders will amplify its DGRADX™ edge, while backer networks drive partnerships or follow-on funding.[3][6] Its influence could evolve from pioneer to category leader if activators demonstrate broad resilience in trials, redefining treatment for protein-driven diseases and cementing proteasome power as biotech's next frontier—echoing its stealth emergence as a bold bet now gaining traction.[1][2]