Needle-free Treatments for Autoimmune Disorders from Switzerland

It’s back to go back to the mainland. This week’s stop is in Hergiswill, a city by one of the many beautiful seas that can be found in Switzerland. There, the young biotech BioLingus is developing needle-free therapies for chronic diseases.

City: Hergiswill, Switzerland

Founded: 2014

Employees: 1-10

Financial data: N/A

Mission: BioLingus develops non-invasive treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes, Crohn’s and celiac disease. Its therapies are delivered under the tongue or via the nose instead.

Comment: BioLingus is working on oral vaccines against flu and the tropical disease leishmaniasis, tablets for children with type 1 diabetes and an oral version of AstraZeneca‘s diabetes drug exenatide. Its most ambitious project is an oral therapy for rheumatoid arthritis to compete with AbbVie’s Humira, the top-selling drug, as well as Janssen’s Remicade and Amgen’s Enbrel. Together, they make over €19B ($20B) in sales annually.