• When 7-9 September, 2026
  • Where InterContinental Barcelona
  • Search

The Innovation Exchange

Applications for the 2026 Innovation Exchange have now closed.

This September, six of Europe's most promising early-stage advanced therapy companies will take to the main stage to present their science, strategy and commercial vision to an audience of investors, pharma leaders and industry decision-makers. Join us in Barcelona to watch the finalists pitch live.

Innovation Exchange Partner:

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Join us in 2026

What is the Innovation Exchange?

The Innovation Exchange is Advanced Therapies Europe's flagship biotech pitch competition, designed to showcase emerging therapeutic developers with breakthrough science and strong commercial potential.

Embedded within the main conference programme, the session brings together founders, investors, pharma executives and strategic partners for an afternoon of live pitches, investor questioning and high-value discussion.

Launched in 2025, the Innovation Exchange has quickly become one of the week's standout sessions, shining a spotlight on the companies shaping the future of advanced therapies.

What to expect at the Innovation Exchange in 2026

What you'll see live:

  • Six carefully selected biotech companies pitch live on stage
  • Questions and feedback from leading investors and pharma executives
  • Breakthrough science tackling today's biggest unmet medical needs
  • Commercial insights into what investors are looking for in today's market
  • Presentation of the 2026 Innovation Exchange Award

Meet the Finalists

Meet the six pioneering companies selected to pitch their innovations live at ATE26 and compete for the 2026 Innovation Exchange Award.

Harmonix

Harmonix is a French deeptech developing a next-generation platform for targeted, repetable and non-invasive CNS delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics. Combining focused ultrasound, engineered microbubbles and proprietary lipid formulations, we collaborate with pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners to unlock new opportunities for siRNA, mRNA, ASO, circular RNA and other advanced nucleic acid therapies.

Alterna Therapeutics

Alterna Therapeutics is an RNA therapeutics company developing splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to correct mis-splicing and restore gene function. Built on world-class splicing biology expertise, Alterna’s platform has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in vivo in lung cancer models and is now advancing preclinical programmes for rare genetic diseases with significant unmet medical need.

StemSight

StemSight develops off-the-shelf induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell therapies to restore vision in patients with severe corneal diseases. Its lead program, STE-101, targets bilateral limbal stem cell deficiency using a scalable, hypoimmunogenic iPS cell platform designed to make cell therapies more accessible and cost-effective. The company's long-term vision is to become a leader in regenerative ophthalmology through a pipeline of allogeneic cell therapies.

CureAge

CureAge Therapeutics is pioneering a new generation of genetic medicines designed to tackle peripheral nerve diseases at their source. Starting with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a debilitating genetic condition affecting more than three million people worldwide, CureAge is developing a first-in-class platform that uses lipid nanoparticles to deliver therapeutic genetic material directly to the cells driving tumour growth. With the potential to halt, reverse and even prevent NF1 tumours, CureAge is moving beyond symptom management towards lasting, transformative cures.

CREATe Therapeutics

CREATe Therapeutics is developing a new class of drug-controlled CNS gene therapies that combine the precision of local gene delivery with the adjustability of oral medication. Using its proprietary platform, the company engineers receptors that can be switched on and tuned by matched drugs, with in vivo proof of concept demonstrated in drug-resistant focal epilepsy.

Korecyte Bio

Korecyte Bio is a UK-based biotechnology company developing integrated in vivo CAR-T therapies for solid cancers. Its lead programme, KOR101, is designed to generate CAR-T cells directly within patients while combining HypoxiCAR tumour-restricted activation, broad tumour targeting and co-armouring in a single therapeutic approach. Korecyte aims to overcome the biological barriers that have limited CAR-T efficacy in solid tumours and make next-generation cell therapy more scalable, precise and accessible.

Meet the Judges

Our judging panel brings together leading investors, biotech executives and strategic partners who will evaluate each company live, ask the questions that matter, and select the recipient of the 2026 Innovation Exchange Award.

Rahul Khetan

Venture Associate at UCB Ventures

Rahul invests in innovative biotechnology companies at UCB Ventures, supporting investments in breakthrough therapeutics with expertise spanning life sciences, strategy, venture capital and healthcare finance.

Gadareth Higgs

Partner at Advantary Capital Partners

Gadareth works with early-stage biotech companies on fundraising, due diligence and investment strategy, helping founders refine their pitches, secure capital and accelerate commercial growth.

Gemma Guinart

Principal at Invivo Partners

As Principal at Invivo Partners, she invests in pioneering healthcare companies and works closely with founders, bringing extensive experience in biotech innovation, venture capital and startup evaluation.

Malgorzata Rogalska

Analyst at Ysios Capital

Malgorzata combines a distinguished scientific background in molecular biology with venture investing at Ysios Capital, identifying and supporting the next generation of life sciences innovators.

Matt Symes

Investor at Delin Ventures

Matt invests in cell therapy companies and enabling technologies at Delin Ventures, combining experience in venture capital, corporate strategy and biotech operations to support emerging innovators.

Congratulations to our 2025 Innovation Exchange winner

Kindling Bio captured the inaugural Innovation Exchange Award in 2025, impressing the judging panel with its scientific innovation, commercial vision and potential to transform patient outcomes.

Read how their Innovation Exchange experience helped elevate their profile and what's happened since taking the stage.

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Read the article

See who's already in the room this September

Explore the organisations already registered for Advanced Therapies Europe 2026, from therapeutic developers and pharma to investors, CDMOs, regulators and solution providers.

Download the 2026 Attendee List so far