SERVIER GOLDEN TICKET 2025
Servier is an independent international pharmaceutical company that is deeply committed to innovation and improving patient lives. With its governance rooted in a non-profit foundation, Servier is uniquely positioned to prioritize patients and science.
The Golden Ticket program, sponsored by Servier in partnership with SmiLe Venture Hub is a unique opportunity for a promising startup to get help in accelerating their research and development efforts.
The Servier Golden Ticket programme provides one year´s access to:
- A dedicated lab bench and office space provided by SmiLe on site in Lund.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
- Mentoring and business coaching from SmiLe throughout the year.
- Direct engagement with Servier’s team of scientific and industrial advisors.
- Exclusive access to Servier and SmiLe networks throughout the year.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The Servier Golden Ticket will be awarded to one startup developing innovative therapeutics or platform technologies in the following discovery and early clinical areas of interest:
- Oncology: Cancer cell targeting (e.g., synthetic lethality, precision oncology) and immuno-oncology (e.g., tumor micro-environment, T-cell targeting).
- Neuroscience: Rare movement disorders (Ataxias, Multiple System Atrophy, Huntington’s Disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy), Neuromuscular disorders (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Myasthenia Gravis, Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy , Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Dystrophic Myotony), Refractory epilepsies (Lennox-Gastaut, Dravet, West, DEEs), Generically driven ASD (Rett, Phelan McDermid, Angelman), Leukodystrophies, Peripheral neuropathies (Charcot-Marie-Tooth).
- Platform Technologies: Related to antibodies (Multi-specific, Multi-format platform), small molecules (Computational based, Multiparametric optimization, Medicinal Chemistry), or Oligonucleotides (drug delivery, design technology). AI/ML data-driven platforms for drug design (including oligonucleotides and antibodies) and to support translational activities (target and biomarker identification)
Check links for more information on Servier’s areas of interest in oncology and neuroscience.
OTHER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Other eligibility criteria
- Startups should have raised less than 8 million euros in total equity funding prior to applying.
- Startups should not have any major partnerships with other large pharmaceutical companies.
- Startups that have won similar awards in the past are welcome to apply.
- Startups based outside of Sweden must establish a subsidiary in Sweden.
- The winning startup must be prepared to sign up for the incubator program at SmiLe within 6 months of the Servier Golden Ticket award.
- The winning startup is required to maintain an active and regular presence at Smile.
APPLICATION 2025
Timeline
- Deadline for applications: May 5th 2025.
- Announcement of the Golden Ticket finalists: May 12th 2025.
- Golden Ticket finalist pitch competition and award: May 21st 2025.
ANY QUESTIONS?
Thomas Areschoug
Business Coach
thomas.areschoug@smileventurehub.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply?
To apply for AbbVie Scandinavia Golden Ticket companies must fulfill the below criteria:
- Focused on science / technology with potential to generate transformational therapies in areas that align strategically with AbbVie’s therapeutic areas of interest (listed above and additional details available here)
- Developing therapeutic platform technologies, including gene therapy, novel cell therapy, gene editing, or novel drug-discovery or platform technologies, including AI- platforms for drug discovery. (Please note that Diagnostics, Devices, Research Tools, and Healthcare Services/IT are excluded.)
- The company must not have a major partnership with another large biopharmaceutical company; however, current, or prior recipients of similar awards sponsored by other companies or lab spaces are eligible to apply.
- Total equity funding raised must be less than 7M Euros before application.
- The company must not have sales revenue.
- The company must be in the life sciences and have an impact on human health.
- The company awarded the AbbVie Scandinavia Golden ticket must be financially and scientifically ready to move into Smile Incubator within two-nine months after receiving the Golden Ticket. Companies that do not have their principal place of business in Sweden must be willing to relocate/open subsidiary in Sweden.
How to apply?
Please create a non-confidential presentation of no more than ten slides that emphasize:
- Company’s mission
- Management team & expertise
- The science behind the technology or asset
- The prioritized and potentially applicable indications
- Differentiation point: What makes your technology different from the competitors?
- Relevant IP and publications that include data supporting your science
- Mitigation of Risk: What are the potential pitfalls and key challenges
- Roadmap and growth plan for the timeframe of the Golden Ticket award
Fill in the form and upload your presentation in English or Swedish.
Applicant may only submit one entry. Please send your application by January 19, 2024.