Alcolase Raises €1.5M to Tackle Alcohol Intolerance with Enzyme Technology

Danish biotech startup Alcolase has announced the completion of a €1.5 million funding round. The investment was supported by Ada Ventures, Delphinus Venture Capital, Antler, Manigoff Invest, and a group of business angels. This capital is earmarked to support the development of an innovative enzyme technology designed to mitigate the effects of alcohol intolerance.

The company aims to address a problem affecting hundreds of millions of people globally, with an initial focus on East Asia. Alcolase's proposed solution seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals who, due to a genetic predisposition, face significant difficulties in metabolizing alcohol.

The Technology and Social Context

Alcolase is developing an enzyme-based technology engineered to break down alcohol directly in the stomach before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. This innovation is specifically targeted at approximately 540 million people in East Asia living with ALDH2 deficiency, a genetic variant that prevents the body from effectively metabolizing alcohol. This condition can manifest with symptoms such as flushing, nausea, and general discomfort, in addition to carrying increased health risks associated with alcohol consumption.

The idea behind Alcolase originated from a conversation in a student dorm during the coronavirus pandemic. Mikkel Precht, CEO and co-founder, along with his colleagues, sought to apply their biotechnology knowledge to solve a real-world problem. After exploring various global health challenges, their focus settled on alcohol intolerance. Precht emphasizes how, in many cultures, social drinking is intrinsically linked to business meetings, networking opportunities, and family life. Individuals with ALDH2 deficiency are thus physiologically excluded from settings that can shape professional opportunities and social belonging. "It is not about wanting to drink more," states Mikkel Precht. "It is about not being shut out of dinners, work events, and family gatherings because of a genetic difference. We want to give people a real choice they are currently denied."

Market Strategy and Development

The core of Alcolase's technology lies in an innovative method to protect enzymes from stomach acid, keeping them active. This solution is based on encapsulating the enzymes in liposomes, ensuring their efficacy in the alcohol breakdown process. The company's ultimate goal is to develop a healthier alternative within a global drinking culture.

Regarding market entry strategy, Alcolase plans to initially launch in Singapore and subsequently in South Korea, regions where alcohol intolerance is particularly common. To support the development of a delivery platform for therapeutic use-cases, Alcolase has also established a UK subsidiary. Ada Ventures has actively supported the team's expansion into the UK life sciences ecosystem. Check Warner, Co-founding Partner at Ada Ventures, commented: "Alcolase is exactly the kind of company we look for: a science-led team tackling a problem that affects hundreds of millions of people."

Future Prospects

This capital injection will enable Alcolase to achieve several key milestones in the next phase of its development. These include conducting an in vivo study, further refining the technology, strengthening the company's intellectual property position, and taking the first commercial steps towards partnerships in leading markets.

Michael Wiatr Aagaard, Partner at Antler, expressed strong confidence in the project: "Mikkel and his co-founders have the ambition, scientific expertise, and determination required to find a solution to a major health and social issue." He added that this funding is a testament to the team's commitment as they take their product from Denmark to the rest of the world. Antler's support, having backed Alcolase from an early stage, underscores the vision of transforming the idea into significant global impact.