Juvion Health Sciences: The Venture Leader Biotech shaping aging therapeutics

12.05.2025 10:00, Rita Longobardi

Meet Soumya Banerjee, Co-Founder of Juvion Health Sciences. The biotech startup combines AI, neuroscience, and robotics to develop therapeutics for immobility and age-related diseases. In June, Soumya will join nine other Biotech innovators on a business development and investor roadshow in Boston.

Name: Soumya Banerjee
Location: EPFL Innovation Park
Nationality: Indian
Graduated from: Miami University (Ph.D)
Job title: CEO & Co-founder
Number of employees: 2
Money raised: CHF 530K


Can you tell us who your product or solution helps, and how?
At Juvion, our focus is on helping individuals at risk of losing their mobility—a condition that often leads to falls, injuries, hospitalizations, and increased susceptibility to disorders such as sarcopenia and motor neuropathy, especially as people age. Our research has identified the deterioration of neuron-muscle communication as a major contributor to immobility, a mechanism largely overlooked in aging therapeutics. Our lead product, JUV-001, is designed to preserve this vital connection, enabling individuals to stay mobile and independent for longer, while also extending their overall health span.

What market are you addressing, and what is the potential of your startup in that market?
We are addressing a pressing global health challenge. By 2030, 1.6 billion people will be over 60, and one-third will experience mobility issues. Currently, no approved therapies target the root cause of this issue. With the longevity market projected to surpass USD 600 billion, Juvion’s first-in-class therapeutic and AI-driven platform positions us to lead the future of healthy aging.

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
The idea for Juvion originated during my research at EPFL in 2021, where we uncovered a previously unknown biological mechanism showing that neuron-muscle communication can be preserved as we age. This finding challenged the assumption that mobility decline is an inevitable aspect of aging. While publishing this discovery was a rewarding scientific achievement, I soon realized that its true impact could only be realized if transformed into a practical, accessible solution. This realization motivated me to launch Juvion—to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world application.

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders roadshow, and how do you think it will help you achieve your vision?
I’m excited about the opportunity the Venture Leaders roadshow presents. It’s a unique chance to connect with strategic investors, partners, and collaborators who share an interest in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and healthspan innovation. I look forward to exchanging ideas with fellow founders, receiving valuable feedback, and gaining international exposure. This experience will be key to refining our go-to-market strategy and accelerating Juvion’s growth from a Swiss startup to a globally impactful healthcare company.
 

---

---

What are your team’s key achievements to date?
Since our incorporation, we’ve made significant progress. We’ve successfully identified and validated our lead compound, JUV-001, which has shown substantial improvements in mobility during preclinical studies. We’ve also developed a fully automated, AI-powered in vivo discovery platform, integrating neuroscience, machine learning, and robotics to enable rapid, cost-effective screening of small molecules. We’ve filed patent applications for both the compound and the platform to ensure market exclusivity. On the business side, we’ve secured non-dilutive funding and support from FIT, GENiLEM, Innovaud, Innosuisse, SPEI, and the IMD-startup competition. We’ve also established or signed partnership agreements with leading players in the healthspan and longevity space.

Is there a key principle or value that guides you as you build your company?
Our guiding principle is “science with purpose.” We believe scientific research is most valuable when it’s applied to solve real-world problems that can positively impact people’s lives. This principle keeps us focused not only on innovation but on ensuring that our solutions are accessible, actionable, and meaningful. As an entrepreneur, I am driven by a strong sense of urgency—to bring solutions to market as efficiently as possible. In line with this, we’re on track to launch our first product in early 2026.

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that clarity outweighs complexity. Whether in scientific communication, pitching to investors, or managing a team, delivering a clear and compelling message is essential. Coming from a research background, it’s easy to get caught up in technical details, but I’ve learned to prioritize clarity. I remind myself of that every day.

What is your favorite productivity hack or tool and why?
I rely heavily on ASANA and Slack for team coordination and task management. These tools help us stay aligned on goals, track day-to-day progress, and communicate efficiently across teams.

What was your dream job when you were a child?
As a child, I dreamed of becoming a cricketer. I played competitively as a batsman until I was around 12 or 13 years old. Eventually, I chose to focus on academics, but I still play whenever I get the chance. Interestingly, cricket taught me discipline, focus, and the importance of clear thinking under pressure—skills that have become essential in my journey as a founder. In many ways, my current path—combining science, impact, and entrepreneurship—reflects the passion and mindset I developed on the cricket field.