OBaris: The Venture Leader Biotech providing a painless alternative to injectable drugs

26.04.2024 10:30, Rita Longobardi

Meet David Klein Cerrejon, Co-Founder and CEO of OBaris. The Biotech startup's mission is to improve the life quality of patients depending on painful injectable drugs by offering them the OctoPatch®. This small painless patch can be easily self-applied to the inner side of the cheek.

Name: David Klein Cerrejon
Location: Zurich
Nationality: German/Spanish
Education: PhD Drug Delivery & Formulation (ETH Zurich), M. Sc. Chemistry (University of Tübingen)
Job title: Co-Founder and CEO
Number of employees: 2
Money raised: ~ 1 M in non-dilutive funding
First touchpoint with Venturelab: Events at ETH Zurich

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Can you tell us who your product or solution helps and how?
We're revolutionizing treatment for millions reliant on frequent injections, like those with type 2 diabetes or osteoporosis. Our OctoPatch® offers a painless, convenient alternative—a suction patch pre-loaded with medication. Patients simply apply it to their inner cheek for 10-30 minutes, then dispose of it. This not only reduces pain and inconvenience but also enhances treatment compliance.

What market are you addressing, and what is the potential of your startup in that market?
We're targeting the USD 45 billion therapeutic peptide drug market, with our semaglutide-loaded OctoPatch® offering a non-invasive alternative to injections and tablets. Our platform can cater to half of this market simultaneously, including the growing GLP-1 receptor agonist segment expected to reach USD 126 billion by 2029. We're also developing other injectable options and seeking partnerships with pharma firms for OctoPatch® formulations.   

How did you come up with the idea for your startup?
Prof. J.-C. Leroux and Prof. Z. Luo conceived buccal peptide delivery with a suction cup. I developed this during my ETH Zurich PhD, inspired by Prof. Luo's incident with a peppercorn on his cheek. We patented the technology, founded OBaris Ltd, raised CHF 1 million, and gained interest from investors and pharmaceutical companies due to promising results.

How do you think the Venture Leaders roadshow will help you achieve your vision?
OBaris plans to enter the US peptide drug market with semaglutide. We're expanding our network for insights and funding, launching a seed round in May for our Phase 1a trial. Seeking international investors aligns with our global strategy. Our North American roadshow aims to attract investors and bolster market presence.


What are your team’s key achievements to date?
We've tested peptides in animals and confirmed their safety and efficacy. OctoPatch® was well received by 40 human volunteers. Investor interest is high, discussing partnerships. OBaris was founded in March 2024 with CHF 1M funding. Nevena and I, with a small team, gathered expert advisors.

Is there a key principle or value that guides you as you build your company?
We aim to improve the life quality of patients depending on injectable drugs, by using science and ensuring quality, while keeping our integrity through transparent relationships with all stakeholders.

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder?
Resilience is the key – every new challenge is an opportunity for growth. As the list of priorities shifts every day you have to be flexible, but also realistic about your capabilities.

Tell us something people don't know about you.
You will always find me pushing my limits. If I am not involved in activities related to OBaris, you can catch me cycling, running, or exploring the mountains.

Any podcasts or books you want to share with us?
Unicorn Barkery (mainly in German) is a fantastic podcast for tech founders entering the startup world, with interesting personal stories and business terminology.