INCubator for Antibacterial Therapies Europe

What INCubator for Antibacterial Therapies Europe does

INCATE (INCubator for Antibacterial Therapies Europe) is a not-for-profit partnership founded in 2021 and administered by the Innovation Office of the University of Basel, dedicated to addressing the early-stage funding and translational gap in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) innovation. The organization operates as a two-stage, equity-free incubator: Stage I provides advisory support and up to €10,000 in non-dilutive funding to help academic groups and pre-incorporation teams refine their business cases, while Stage II awards up to €250,000 to build investable companies, supplemented by guidance from INCATE's expert network across science, regulation, and business strategy. Selection is performed by an independent Selection Committee drawn from industry and independent experts, and INCATE does not take equity, charge fees, or impose co-development obligations on supported ventures.

The organization is anchored by four academic founding members — the University of Basel (host), the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz:HKI), and the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research AntiResist (NCCR AntiResist) — and by industry partners including Basilea, Roche, Shionogi, MSD, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The broader supporting ecosystem encompasses 40+ organizations such as CARB-X, GARDP, BEAM Alliance, Kineticos AMR Accelerator Fund, Granzer Regulatory Consulting, Peak Spirit, and the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA). Applications are accepted on a rolling, worldwide basis, and the program has supported 40+ ventures spanning antibiotics, engineered biologics, phage therapy, vaccines, immunotherapies, diagnostics, and (as of 2026) antifungals.

Distribution and community-building are delivered through direct online application, a global scouting team, the annual AMR Conference in Basel (now in its 10th edition with 650+ attendees), Entrepreneurs Club webinars, and consecutive Startup Pitch Events. Governance transitioned in February 2026 with the appointment of INCATE's first CEO, Holger Zimmermann (formerly of Bayer and AiCuris). INCATE generates no commercial revenue; its operations are funded by academic and industry partner contributions, and its "products" are support services (advice, community access, non-dilutive funding) rather than proprietary technology.

Name

INCubator for Antibacterial Therapies Europe

Legal name

University of Basel

Website

https://incate.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

INCATE is a Basel-based, not-for-profit incubator founded in 2021 that provides equity-free advisory support and non-dilutive funding (up to €250k in Stage II) to early-stage global ventures developing new therapies, diagnostics, and platforms to combat antimicrobial resistance, backed by academic founders and pharma partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biotech Incubator Services (Antimicrobial Resistance)

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Infectious Disease & Antimicrobials Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Patient Recruitment, Site Feasibility & Trial Enablement CROs (HLAGAAAI), Therapeutic Enzymes & Enzyme Replacement Therapies (ERT) (HLAAAAAK)

Keywords

• Antimicrobial resistance incubation
• Non-dilutive biotech funding
• AMR venture support
• Antibacterial innovation
• Biotech incubator program

Headquarters

HQ city

Basel

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Others, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Non-revenue generating organization: INCATE is explicitly described as a not-for-profit partnership. It does not generate revenue from products or services. Instead, it provides non-dilutive funding (up to €250,000 for Stage II, up to €10k for Stage I) to selected ventures. The organization is funded by academic members (University of Basel, DZIF, Leibniz:HKI, NCCR AntiResist) and industry partners (Basilea, Roche, Shionogi, MSD).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

INCATE is a not-for-profit incubator that supports early-stage antimicrobial resistance (AMR) innovators worldwide through a structured two-stage program offering advice from industry partners, access to a curated community of experts, and non-dilutive funding (Stage I up to €10,000; Stage II up to €250,000). The core offering targets academic groups, pre-incorporation teams, and early-stage ventures developing new antibacterial therapies, antifungals, diagnostics, and supporting technologies against drug-resistant infections.

Product overview

INCATE is a not-for-profit incubator that provides a structured two-stage support program for early-stage antimicrobial resistance (AMR) innovators. Stage I offers advisory support and funding up to €10,000 to refine business cases, while Stage II provides up to €250,000 in non-dilutive funding along with guidance from industry partners. The organization also facilitates access to a broad community of industry, academic, and investor stakeholders. The INCATE portfolio comprises currently active ventures developing diverse AMR solutions (including antibiotics, biologics, vaccines, phage therapies, and diagnostics) alongside an alumni network of ventures that have progressed beyond the program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stage I Support Program Initial support program for early-stage AMR innovators offering advisory feedback from industry partners, access to the INCATE community, and non-dilutive funding of up to €10,000 to help refine business cases and prepare ventures for Stage II advancement. Intended for academic groups, pre-incorporation teams, and startups with initial proof of concept (TRL 2-5).
• Stage II Support Program Advanced support program offering non-dilutive funding of up to €250,000 along with expert guidance from INCATE's network across science, regulation, and business strategy to build ventures ready for next-stage investment. Ventures must progress from Stage I or be directly admitted based on Selection Committee evaluation.
• INCATE Portfolio and Alumni Network A curated network of currently active ventures and alumni ventures (over 40 in total) that have progressed through the INCATE program, spanning antibiotics, biologics, vaccines, phage therapy, diagnostics, and supporting AMR technologies. Provides visibility, peer community, and continued ecosystem access for graduated and ongoing participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to €250,000 in non-dilutive funding for Stage II ventures
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Cystic Fibrosis FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2026Collaboration to advance research, innovation, and solutions addressing antimicrobial resistance. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation contributes scientific, clinical, and drug development expertise in chronic airway infections to INCATE's activities, supporting early-stage antibacterial projects.
• Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2026Partnership strengthens global collaboration to support innovation against AMR. JPMA's engagement broadens INCATE's international reach and creates new opportunities for collaboration between European and Japanese stakeholders. Already co-hosted webinar on antibacterial drug development.
• Basilea PharmaceuticacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 January 2026Basilea joins INCATE as an industry partner, bringing extensive preclinical, clinical, and commercial expertise in anti-infectives. This partnership expands INCATE's scope to include antifungals for the first time, addressing critical need for novel antifungal therapies.
• Peak SpiritcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 September 2025Peak Spirit specializes in helping Biotech and Healthtech startups become business development and investment-ready. Together they offer Gap Analysis, coaching sessions, and access to Peak Spirit Academy with courses, whitepapers, templates, and webinars.
• Granzer Regulatory Consulting & Services GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 August 2025Granzer brings decades of expertise in guiding drug and device development from strategy and clinical planning to marketing authorization. Stefan Blesse joined INCATE Selection Committee providing regulatory leadership.
• University of BaselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic founding member and host organization. Administered by the Innovation Office at University of Basel. Provides institutional support and academic research connections.
• German Center for Infection Research (DZIF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic founding member. One of the four academic founding members of INCATE, contributing translational and basic research expertise in infection research.
• Leibniz:HKI (Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic founding member. Part of Leibniz Association in Germany. Contributes natural product research and infection biology expertise.
• Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research AntiResist (NCCR AntiResist)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic founding member. Contributes Swiss excellence in antimicrobial resistance research through NCCR program at Biozentrum Basel.
• RochecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner providing funding and feedback on market demand. Roche contributes expertise in antibiotic discovery, clinical development, and works on both diagnostic technologies and new antibiotic agents.
• ShionogicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner providing funding and feedback on market demand. Shionogi has over 50 years of experience in antibiotic R&D, including cefiderocol, moxalactam, and doripenem.
• MSDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner providing funding and feedback on market demand. MSD contributes medical affairs expertise and strategic advice for anti-infective development.
• EcraidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership announced at the 10th AMR Conference representing an important step in strengthening collaboration between clinical research infrastructure and antimicrobial innovators.
• BEAM AlliancesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner - European association representing over 60 European and international SMEs active in antimicrobial R&D. Marc Gitzinger of BioVersys serves as VP of BEAM Alliance board.
• GARDPsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner - Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership, a non-profit organization developing new treatments for drug-resistant infections.
• Swiss Biotech Association (SBA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner - National association supporting Swiss biotech ecosystem.
• LifeScience FactorysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner - Munich-based organization supporting life science startups.
• Global AMR R&D HubsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner - International collaboration advancing global AMR R&D efforts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CARB-X: CARB-X is a global non-profit partnership (hosted at Boston University) that provides co-funding and accelerators for early-stage antibacterial R&D. It is the closest direct comparator to INCATE's mission, offering similar non-dilutive funding, portfolio support, and partnership networks targeting the same AMR innovators.
• AMR Action Fund: The AMR Action Fund is a $1B-plus initiative backed by major pharma to bring 2-4 new antibiotics to market by 2030. It targets later-stage AMR companies than INCATE, but operates in the same value chain and shares the same industry partner set (Roche, MSD).
• REPAIR Impact Fund (Novo Holdings): REPAIR is a dedicated AMR-focused impact fund investing in early-stage companies developing new therapeutics. Listed as an INCATE supporting partner, it is comparable as a non-dilutive-adjacent funding source targeting the same AMR venture universe.
• BEAM Alliance: BEAM is the European association of ~60+ SMEs active in AMR R&D and is an INCATE supporting partner. It is comparable as a pan-European ecosystem body convening AMR companies, investors and policymakers, addressing the same field-building problem INCATE addresses.
• GARDP (Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership): GARDP is a not-for-profit organization developing new treatments for drug-resistant infections with public/private funding. It overlaps with INCATE in AMR-focused pipeline building, partnerships with the same pharmaceutical companies (e.g. Shionogi), and incubator-style models for translational projects.

Emerging players

• Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV): MMV is a leading product development partnership for malaria therapeutics. Comparable in non-profit R&D partnership model, multi-donor funding, and portfolio-level drug development for infectious diseases of public health concern, though focused on malaria rather than AMR.
• Tuberculosis Alliance (TB Alliance): TB Alliance is a not-for-profit product development partnership advancing new TB regimens. It is comparable in non-profit PDP model, public/private partnership structure, and translational drug development focus, but addresses a different infectious disease.

Broad incumbents

• BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority): BARDA is the US federal authority funding late-stage CBRN and AMR countermeasures. It overlaps with INCATE as a major funder of AMR pipeline projects and shares grantees, but is far broader in scope and operating scale.

Regional players

• BioIndustry Association (BIA): BIA is the UK's biotech trade association, providing ecosystem support, policy advocacy and events for life sciences companies. Comparable as a sector-broad enabling organization, though UK-focused and AMR-adjacent rather than AMR-specific.

Others

• Kineticos AMR Accelerator Fund I (KAMRA I): Kineticos is an INCATE 'Core' financial partner running KAMRA I, investing $75M+ across 13 AMR companies. Listed as a financial partner rather than a peer competitor, but it operates in the same funding layer for early-stage AMR ventures.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/INCATEurope
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@INCATEurope
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/incate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about INCubator for Antibacterial Therapies Europe