Bio4Dreams enters Clhep as a founding partner and investor, supporting the project from its incorporation alongside researchers from the University of Padua and the National Research Council (CNR). Clhep has also launched an incubation program within Bio4Dreams to accelerate preclinical development and build the foundations for its next growth phase.

More selective therapies for the future of oncology

Clhep is an innovative startup born from the excellence of research conducted at the Department of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Padua. It develops a new generation of therapeutic peptides aimed at more selective oncology treatments, with reduced impact on healthy tissues.

The approach focuses on a biological target known as Hexokinase 2 (HK2), a protein involved in the growth of several tumor types. Clhep’s peptides are designed to interfere with this process, inducing cancer cell death.

The validity of this approach is already supported by preclinical results. In vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies have confirmed the peptides’ mechanism of action. In addition, Clhep’s technology is protected by a patent portfolio covering an entire family of therapeutic molecules, providing a solid foundation for development, market positioning, and industrial interest.

This novel therapeutic approach has already received significant international and national recognition, including:

• the “Young Investigator Award 2020”, granted by the Children’s Tumor Foundation (USA);
• the “Elena Cappannini Award” 2021, for best innovative research in oncology;
• the “Intellectual Property Award 2023”, MedTech category, awarded by the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy and promoted by the Italian Patent and Trademark Office and Netval;
• an official invitation from the Ministry to present the project at the Osaka World Expo (EXPO 2025), at the Italy Pavilion.

Development outlook

Building on the promising results achieved so far, Clhep will advance development focusing on two high-unmet-need clinical priorities: malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), while preparing for the subsequent steps toward clinical trials. For MPNST, the process to obtain orphan drug designation is also planned.

In parallel, the pipeline will be expanded to additional cancer indications, also in view of potential partnerships and licensing opportunities with industrial players.

Bio4Dreams: a driver for very early-stage pharma startups

At the end of 2025, Bio4Dreams co-founded Clhep together with Francesco Ciscato, a CNR researcher, and Professors Andrea Rasola and Paolo Bernardi of the University of Padua, transforming a multi-year scientific research path into a company with industrial ambition.

Bio4Dreams supported the launch with an initial investment and is currently accompanying Clhep’s growth through an ongoing funding round, with the entry of co-investors expected by the end of 2026.

Through a tailored incubation program, Bio4Dreams supports Clhep with a structured and hands-on approach, accelerating preclinical development, strengthening governance, and consolidating positioning for the next growth stages.

A synergy between research, business, and territory as a model for technology transfer

The creation of Clhep represents a concrete example of how collaboration between universities and innovation ecosystem players can translate scientific research into entrepreneurship.

This entrepreneurial project is the result of years of work carried out with the support of the University of Padua and Bio4Dreams, enabling an academic idea to evolve into a startup.

A key step was the valorization of university-developed intellectual property, which created the conditions for Clhep’s incorporation and the launch of development activities.

Clhep is also the first spin-off created through collaboration between the University of Padua and Bio4Dreams, demonstrating the effectiveness of a technology transfer model focused on fostering the growth of new therapies.

“For years, our research has aimed to identify new therapeutic options for oncology patients and to provide physicians with precise and customizable treatments for more effective care. This entrepreneurial project represents an important first step toward the clinic, as it seeks to valorize a newly conceived antineoplastic approach. Clhep aims to further develop and consolidate this technology, with the potential to give rise to a new class of anticancer drugs and make them available to patients as soon as possible.”

Francesco Ciscato, CEO of Clhep and Ricercatore CNR

“The creation of the Clhep spin-off is a tangible demonstration of the University of Padua’s commitment to generating meaningful societal impact in a strategic field such as Life Sciences. We are pleased to invest in research and in concrete actions that support its journey beyond the laboratory through academic entrepreneurship, fostering the transformation of knowledge into innovative solutions and contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. Life Sciences represent a fundamental pillar of global sustainability. Enhancing research means building strong bridges with the business world. It is the responsibility of the academic community to put knowledge at the service of development and societal improvement.”

Monica Fedeli, Vice-Rector for Third Mission and Relations with the Territory, University of Padua.

“Bio4Dreams works continuously with universities and research centers because true innovation starts there. Our perseverance, combined with multidisciplinary expertise activated by a highly interconnected and high-value ecosystem, allows us to stay the course and advance projects with method, transforming research into concrete technology transfer. Clhep is proof of this: from academic science to an industrial roadmap built on solid preclinical foundations.”

Demetra Pelos, Strategic Projects Director & Head of Business Nursery of Bio4Dreams