One target. Two therapeutic directions.

BIMINI develops first-in-class small molecule modulators of WASp for oncology and autoimmune disease.

By activating or inhibiting the same biological target, we are building distinct therapeutic approaches around a central regulator of immune cell function.

Explore our science View our pipeline

Modulating WASp in two directions

Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein, or WASp, plays an important role in actin organisation and immune cell function. Its activity influences processes including cell migration, proliferation, signalling, cytotoxicity and phagocytosis.

BIMINI is developing small molecules that modulate WASp in opposite directions, creating therapeutic opportunities in both cancer and autoimmune disease.

WASp activation

Our activator programme is designed to increase WASp activity in cancer cells that are dependent on the pathway. Excessive activation drives actin dysregulation, genomic instability and apoptosis.

WASp inhibition

Our inhibitor programme is designed to reduce WASp function in overactive immune cells. By increasing WASp degradation, the approach aims to reduce pathological immune activity and restore immune balance.

A focused preclinical pipeline

BIMINI is advancing a portfolio of first-in-class WASp modulators across oncology and autoimmune disease.

Our most advanced activator programme is progressing through lead optimisation for acute myeloid leukemia, supported by in vitro and in vivo proof-of-concept data.

In parallel, we are advancing WASp inhibition for rheumatoid arthritis, where the ZF-09 series has demonstrated in vivo proof of concept.

Building a new therapeutic approach around WASp

BIMINI was founded in 2019 and is based in Leiden, the Netherlands.

Since inception, the company has built a portfolio of small molecule WASp modulators, generated preclinical evidence across oncology and autoimmune disease and secured approximately €6 million in dilutive and non-dilutive funding.

Our work combines medicinal chemistry, disease biology, computational modelling and preclinical development with a network of scientific, clinical and industry partners.

From differentiated biology to new medicines

Our goal is to translate the therapeutic potential of WASp modulation into medicines for patients with diseases where new mechanisms of action are needed.

One biological target. Two ways to intervene.

BIMINI is developing first-in-class small molecule activators and inhibitors of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein, or WASp.

WASp is a cytosolic protein expressed mainly in non-erythroid hematopoietic cells. It regulates actin filament organisation through the Arp2/3 complex and plays an important role in immune cell migration, proliferation, signalling, cytotoxicity and phagocytosis.

Its position within immune cell biology creates opportunities to intervene in different disease contexts by moving WASp activity in different directions.

WASp activation

In selected hematologic cancers, BIMINI is developing small molecules designed to push WASp activity beyond the level that cancer cells can tolerate.

Our activator compounds increase actin polymerisation and disrupt normal cytoskeletal regulation. In WASp-dependent cancer cells, this can lead to genomic instability and apoptosis.

The programme originated from a phenotypic screen in blood cancers. Subsequent target identification work identified WASp as the molecular target.

BIMINI has since undertaken a systematic hit-to-lead and lead optimisation programme to improve potency and pharmacokinetic properties while maintaining activity against responder cancer cell lines.

What differentiates the approach

• First-in-class activation of WASp as a therapeutic mechanism.
• A mechanistically distinct approach to hematologic cancer.
• Potent activity demonstrated across multiple leukemia and lymphoma models.
• No off-target kinase binding identified in kinase profiling of the lead series.
• Potential for development as monotherapy or in combination with established AML therapies.

WASp inhibition

BIMINI is also developing small molecules designed to reduce WASp function in autoimmune disease.

The programme focuses on compounds that increase degradation of WASp, resulting in reduced cytoskeletal function and dampening of overactive immune cell behaviour.

BIMINI has developed an in silico model of WASp to support the discovery of novel inhibitors. Multiple hits have been identified and evaluated for target engagement, with the ZF-09 series emerging as an early lead programme.

In a collagen-induced arthritis model, ZF-09-123 significantly improved clinical score and paw volume compared with control, with activity comparable to filgotinib in the study.

What differentiates the approach

• First-in-class small molecule inhibition strategy directed at WASp.
• A targeted approach to reducing pathological immune cell activity.
• AI and cheminformatics-supported compound discovery.
• Target engagement demonstrated in cellular assays.
• In vivo proof of concept generated in rheumatoid arthritis.

Building an intellectual property position around WASp modulation

BIMINI holds an exclusive worldwide licence to the patent family covering the original oncology asset.

In parallel, the company is building additional proprietary intellectual property around novel compounds generated through its oncology and autoimmune discovery programmes.

BIMINI’s IP strategy includes composition-of-matter protection, indication-specific applications and future combination approaches.

From target biology to therapeutic programmes

Our technology strategy is focused on translating differentiated modulation of WASp into programmes with clear therapeutic and development potential.

A focused pipeline built around WASp modulation.

BIMINI is advancing first-in-class small molecule WASp modulators across oncology and autoimmune disease.

Our programmes combine a shared biological target with distinct mechanisms of action, allowing us to pursue different therapeutic opportunities from the same underlying biology.

Oncology

BM series

Mechanism: WASp activation

Lead indication: Acute myeloid leukemia

Stage: Lead optimisation

The BM series consists of first-in-class small molecule WASp activators designed to increase actin polymerisation and induce apoptosis in WASp-dependent cancer cells.

Lead compounds have demonstrated approximately 10 nM potency in selected responder cell lines and strong anti-tumour activity in an orthotopic AML mouse model.

Current development is focused on further optimisation of pharmacokinetic properties and confirmation of activity in relapsed and refractory AML models.

BM series

Mechanism: WASp activation

Indication: Germinal centre B-cell diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Stage: Preclinical translation

BIMINI is also evaluating the BM series in GCB-DLBCL, building on activity demonstrated across lymphoma models.

Preclinical translation is ongoing to further define the opportunity in relapsed and refractory disease.

Autoimmune disease

ZF-09 series

Mechanism: WASp inhibition

Lead indication: Rheumatoid arthritis

Stage: Lead optimisation

The ZF-09 series is designed to inhibit WASp by increasing its degradation and reducing pathological immune cell activity.

ZF-09-123 has demonstrated in vivo proof of concept in a collagen-induced arthritis model, where treatment significantly improved clinical score and paw volume compared with control.

Lead optimisation is ongoing with a focus on improving oral bioavailability and further defining the mechanism of action in autoimmune disease.

Advancing toward the clinic

BIMINI is progressing its lead programmes through preclinical development with the objective of moving its first programme toward IND-enabling development and first-in-human studies.

The company is developing its programmes with future pharmaceutical partnering in mind, supported by a growing package of pharmacology, safety, target engagement and translational data.

Building new medicines around differentiated biology.

BIMINI Biotech is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class small molecule therapeutics through modulation of WASp.

Our mission is to translate a differentiated biological target into new treatment approaches for cancer and autoimmune disease.

Our story

BIMINI was founded in 2019 by Dr. Digvijay Gahtory and Dr. Maurits van den Nieuwboer and is based in Leiden, the Netherlands.

In 2022, the company licensed a first-in-class asset targeting WASp from the Institute of Oncology Research in Switzerland. Since then, BIMINI has built a broader discovery and development platform around the therapeutic modulation of WASp.

Today, our work spans two therapeutic directions: activating WASp in selected cancers and inhibiting WASp in autoimmune disease.

The company has raised approximately €6 million in dilutive and non-dilutive funding to advance its programmes toward the clinic.

Leadership

Dr. Digvijay Gahtory

Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder

Digvijay leads BIMINI’s corporate and preclinical development strategy, including fundraising, technical planning and the expansion of the company’s scientific and industry network.

He holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Wageningen University and a master’s degree in Medicinal Chemistry.

Dr. Maurits van den Nieuwboer

Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder

Maurits leads operational and drug development activities at BIMINI, with experience across preclinical development, study design, business development, licensing and financing.

He holds a doctorate in life sciences and management and a master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences.

Dr. Stephen Croke

Lead R&D Scientist

Stephen is a medicinal chemist specialising in multi-step organic synthesis and the design and development of novel small molecule therapeutics.

Built around specialist expertise

BIMINI operates as a focused biotechnology company supported by an international network of scientific, clinical, medicinal chemistry, drug development and business experts.

Our collaborators and advisors bring experience across hematologic oncology, autoimmune disease, medicinal chemistry, computational drug discovery, preclinical development, clinical translation, intellectual property and pharmaceutical partnering.

Our approach

Scientific focus

We build programmes around differentiated biology and clear therapeutic hypotheses.

Precision

We use mechanistic, pharmacological and translational evidence to guide programme decisions.

Efficient development

We combine a focused internal team with specialist external expertise to move programmes forward efficiently.

Partnership

We work with academic, clinical and industry partners to accelerate the translation of our science.

Interested in BIMINI?

We welcome conversations with pharmaceutical partners, investors, researchers and people interested in helping us advance new WASp-targeted therapeutics.

Help us build a new class of therapeutics.

BIMINI is building a focused biotechnology company around a differentiated biological target and a growing portfolio of first-in-class therapeutic programmes.

We work with a small internal team and a broad international network of scientific and drug development specialists. That means people at BIMINI work closely across disciplines and have direct involvement in programme decisions.

Working at BIMINI

We are a lean, science-led organisation. Our work requires people who are comfortable working across disciplines, taking responsibility and solving problems without unnecessary layers of process.

We value scientific rigour, practical thinking and open collaboration. Our team works closely with academic groups, CROs, clinical experts, medicinal chemists and other development partners.

Open positions

Cell Biologist

We are looking for a cell biologist to support the continued development of our oncology and autoimmune programmes.

The role will contribute to experimental planning, cell-based studies, mechanism-of-action work and the generation of data supporting programme progression.

Don’t see the right role?

We are always interested in hearing from scientists and drug development professionals who believe their experience could contribute to BIMINI’s programmes.

If your background is relevant to our work in medicinal chemistry, cell biology, pharmacology, translational science or drug development, we would be happy to hear from you.