MIB Startup Studio: First Cohort Kicks Off
Marseille, 5 october 2026 – The first MIB Startup Studio cohort began its programme with two days of discussions bringing together startup founders, biotech entrepreneurs, mentors and regulatory experts. The aim was to get to know one another, share experiences and start discussing the projects.
Therapeutic antibody engineering, bacterial and viral immunotherapies, discovery of new tumour antigens, cell bioproduction technologies, immunometabolism, multi-omics and bioinformatics: this first cohort brings together a range of approaches to innovation in immunology and healthcare. They share a common goal: to contribute to better treatments for patients.
Making connections before the programme even began
For one of the startups, the work had already started. Ahead of the two-day event, Christel Navarro, MIB’s Business Developer, had connected the team with partners to help advance its translational development, bridging the gap between research findings and medical applications.
This is one of the practical benefits of being part of MIB: connecting founders with resources that can support their projects. For example, this may involve introductions to programmes providing early access to tumour tissue and blood samples, or to clinicians working in specialist centres at MIB’s partner hospitals.
Direct discussions with entrepreneurs and experts
Over the two days, founders had the opportunity to put their questions directly to Daniel Olive, MIB’s Chief Scientific and Technical Officer and co-founder of ImCheck Therapeutics, and Edwin Moses, an experienced biotechnology entrepreneur. An open Q&A session in a small group gave participants the opportunity to learn from both speakers’ experiences.
Aniko V. Fejes and Nicholas H. Kirk, mentors for the cohort, also came to meet the startups.
Regulatory and quality experts from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, including Houda Beltaief, Head of Biopharma Regulatory Experts, led a workshop and provided one-to-one advice to the participating companies.
What's Next: workshops and further opportunities to connect with industry
The programme continues with a series of workshops and tailored support for the selected startups. An upcoming event will bring together business development and R&D teams from industry, including mid-sized pharmaceutical companies, to help founders expand their network of partners.
Thank you to SATT Sud-Est, Inserm Transfert, Incubateur inter-universitaire Impulse, Aix-Marseille Université and RISE Partners for their contributions to the launch.
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