Azure Cell Therapies, FireFly Fusion and Antion Biosciences receive FIF support

Azure Cell Therapies, FireFly Fusion, and Antion Biosciences are the latest beneficiaries of the FONGIT Innovation Fund (FIF), receiving funds to advance their pioneering work in health and energy solutions.

Azure Cell Therapies, emerging from the University of Geneva and led by Dr. Bilal Fares, received a CHF 50,000 grant to enhance their development of cell therapies for Parkinson’s disease. This initiative represents a major step forward in personalized medicine and demonstrates the potential of advanced biotechnology to address complex health challenges.

FireFly Fusion, co-founded by long-time CERN physicist Rustem Ospanov and EPFL fusion scientist Justin Ball, was also granted CHF 50,000. This funding will boost their efforts in developing nuclear fusion technology, aiming to create sustainable and clean energy solutions. Their work on standard tokamaks could eventually pave the way to commercially viable fusion energy, which would be a major step forward in terms of environmental sustainability.

Meanwhile, Antion Biosciences has received a seed loan of CHF 100,000 to advance its innovative gene-editing technologies. Under the leadership of Marco Alessandrini and CFO Gérald Thomé, Antion is focused on improving the safety and accessibility of cell and gene therapies for complex diseases, promising significant impact on medical treatments.

The FIF, supported by the State of Geneva, FONGIT, the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, the United Nations International Trade Center, and the United Nations Environment Agency, continues to support innovative projects that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This funding initiative not only strengthens Geneva’s position as a hub for technological innovation, but also underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to achieve significant advances in the global health and energy sectors.