Sting Alumni, BrainZell, Gains Major Media Attention for Its Groundbreaking Neurological Innovation

The recent media spotlight comes on the heels of BrainZell's successful SEK 15 million funding round, which was led by Industrifonden. The investment also attracted participation from Life Science Invest, Norrsken Accelerator, Creator Fund, and several prominent angel investors. BrainZell, which has received substantial support from Sting, Vinnova, and SciLifeLab, is now moving closer to bringing its breakthrough technology to market.

"Our technology has the potential to reshape the future of medicine," says Petra Szeszula, PhD, co-founder and CEO of BrainZell. The company’s work in developing these organoids—miniature, self-organized clusters of human cells—allows pharma researchers to run over 10,000 tests in a single week, dramatically accelerating the discovery of new treatments while also reducing reliance on animal testing.

"The innovative use of organoids allows BrainZell to mimic real human brain tissue, providing a faster, more ethical, and more precise alternative to traditional drug testing,” says BrainZell’s co-founder, Robin Pronk, PhD.  By using a small skin biopsy, the company can program the cells into stem cells, which are then organized into brain-like structures. This personalized testing approach holds enormous potential for treating conditions like depression, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s.

"Sting has played a critical role in guiding us through the commercialization process," adds Szeszula. "With this latest investment, we are one step closer to making a profound impact on neurological diseases."

BrainZell is currently valued at under SEK 80 million and is in active negotiations with several key customers as it prepares to scale up its operations.

"In the future, we aim to live in a world free of mental health disorders," says Szeszula. "Imagine a world where those suffering from depression don’t lose their jobs, and people with dementia no longer experience memory loss. That’s the future we want to help create."

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About BrainZell
Founded in 2021 by Petra Szeszula, PhD and Robin Pronk, PhD, BrainZell leverages stem-cell technology and organoids to develop new treatments for neurological diseases. Its innovative approach aims to provide faster, more precise, and ethically responsible alternatives to traditional drug development methods.

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About Sting
Sting is Sweden's leading startup accelerator & incubator, supporting high-potential tech and life sciences companies through expert coaching, investment, and access to a vast network of industry connections. Sting’s mission is to promote the growth of innovative businesses that can make a global impact.

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