Hollandbio welcomes iProtics as a new member

Hollandbio connects, represents and supports the Dutch biotech sector. With more than 290 members – from start-ups and scale-ups to established companies active in health, food and the biobased economy – we work together to strengthen the Dutch life sciences ecosystem. Today, we are pleased to welcome iProtics as our newest member. iProtics is a Leiden University spin-off, founded in 2024, developing next-generation, highly selective immunoproteasome inhibitors for patients with hematological cancers.

The company’s lead program, IP074, is initially being developed for patients with double-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Although proteasome inhibition has demonstrated therapeutic potential in hematological malignancies, existing approaches can be limited by off-target effects and dose-limiting toxicities. iProtics is developing precision small molecules designed to selectively inhibit the immunoproteasome in malignant cells, with the ambition to improve the therapeutic window while preserving healthy tissue.

The company is now advancing IP074 towards GLP toxicology studies, an important milestone in assembling the non-clinical package for first-in-human development. iProtics combines expertise in immunoproteasome biology, translational pharmacology and drug development to pursue a differentiated treatment approach for patients with limited remaining therapeutic options.

While iProtics was founded in 2024, its founders have already been actively contributing to the Dutch biotech landscape for several years. Among other milestones, they won the Venture Challenge in 2022 and participated in the Take Off, BiotechBooster, Faculty of Impact and BioVenture Builder programs. These experiences have helped shape iProtics into a company that combines strong academic science with a practical, patient-focused development strategy.

“We are excited to join hollandbio and become an active part of its community,” says Elmer Maurits, co-founder of iProtics. “We look forward to connecting with fellow innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and service providers, not only to explore collaborations that can help advance IP074, but also to contribute to a stronger, more connected Dutch life-sciences ecosystem and support other emerging companies where we can.”