INVENT 2025 Finalist: Antigenesis Biologicals

Founders name: Ciaran Doherty and Hugh Morgan

What was the “aha” moment that sparked your idea?

The “aha” moment for Antigenesis came during a chat with a vet friend. He told us that when dogs get cancer and there are no effective approved treatments, vets often reach for human drugs, even though they rarely work well. That really stuck with us.

With our background in antibody design and drug development, we could see the problem immediately. Medicines are like keys, and diseases like cancer are the locks. Human drugs aren’t made to fit the “canine lock.” It’s a bit like trying to open your front door with your neighbour’s keys, you might rattle the handle, but you're not getting in.

That was the spark. What if we could take the best parts of modern human medicines and make just a few clever tweaks to help them fit perfectly in dogs? Not through trial and error, but using deep science, structural biology and a good dose of creativity.

At Antigenesis, that’s exactly what we do. We build next-generation antibody therapies for dogs, based on what works in humans but redesigned specifically for our four-legged patients. In some cases, we adapt proven human therapeutics; in others, we build new ones from scratch. Either way, our mission is clear: to bring world-class cancer treatments to pets, where options are still shockingly limited.

We often say we’re molecular locksmiths. And that early conversation with our vet helped us realise that with a few precision tools and the right mindset, we could pick the lock on a major healthcare problem and open a whole new chapter in cancer care for companion animals.

What is your background?

At our core, Ciaran and I are puzzle solvers – because that’s what drug discovery really is. Every therapeutic challenge begins as a complex puzzle: understanding how proteins interact at the atomic level, and then leveraging that information to design therapeutics that can change the course of disease. For us, those therapeutics take the form of next-generation antibodies – precise, powerful tools that can be engineered to tackle conditions once thought untreatable.

Between us, we bring a background in structural biology, protein engineering, and biopharmaceutical strategy, with more than 30 years’ combined experience in drug discovery and development. Our track records span both academia and industry, from publishing groundbreaking research to delivering programmes that move from concept through to clinical readiness. This blend of scientific depth and commercial execution ensures we can not only invent, but also translate those inventions into viable, high-impact products.

Together, we strike the perfect balance between inventiveness of academic research and the focused productivity of industry experience. It means we are equally comfortable at the bench, in front of investors, or across the table from a potential partner – building value at every stage of the journey.

On the lighter side, our “puzzle solver” mindset spills into everything we do. Whether it’s a stubborn lab conundrum, a business challenge, or even a crossword clue that refuses to budge, we approach it with persistence, creativity, and a willingness to laugh at ourselves along the way. That blend of rigour and humour keeps us moving forward, even when the puzzles are toughest.

Tell us a bit about your solution

Antigenesis is bringing the antibody revolution from human medicine into veterinary health, starting with cancer in dogs. Antibodies have transformed outcomes in human oncology, powering a $287B global market, yet not a single antibody therapeutic is approved for canine cancer. This is the gap we are determined to close. Our approach is simple but powerful: take validated, proven human biology and adapt it into affordable, targeted therapies for pets. By doing so, we can dramatically shorten development timelines, reduce costs, and deliver treatments that are both effective and accessible.

We are building a next-generation portfolio of canine cancer antibodies while remembering that behind every experiment is a pet and their family who simply want more time together. That is what drives us, and why we know this matters.

What first impression do you want users to have when they experience/use your product?

We want the first impression to be one of trust, hope, and innovation. For vets and pet owners, Antigenesis should feel like the long-awaited answer to outdated treatments, offering targeted therapies that are effective, affordable, and easy to integrate into care. For industry partners, the impression should be of a credible, capital-efficient company with a platform that adapts proven human biologics for pets and creates scalable licensing and acquisition opportunities. Above all, we want people to feel that Antigenesis combines scientific rigour with compassion, pioneering a new standard in animal health.

Where do you hope to be in five years?

In five years, we see Antigenesis as a recognised leader in veterinary biologics, with a portfolio of antibody therapeutics that are not only advancing pet health but also setting new standards for how therapies are developed. By then, we expect to have strong revenues flowing from milestones and royalties, enabling us to fund the “blue sky” ideas that drive innovation and keep our pipeline fresh. Our vision is to have built a highly respected scientific and commercial team, forged deep and lasting partnerships with leading animal health companies, and established Antigenesis as the “go-to” biotech for next-generation veterinary biologics. Success for us means transforming veterinary oncology so that targeted antibody therapeutics become the norm rather than the exception, delivering meaningful benefits to both pets and their families.

On the lighter side, we hope that five years from now we’ll also have fewer chewed-up investor pitch decks (thanks to overly enthusiastic office dogs), a fridge permanently stocked with caffeinated drinks to fuel our innovation, and, perhaps most importantly, have finally trained our dogs not to bark in the middle of Zoom calls. We imagine an office culture that combines scientific rigour with humour, creativity, and a sense of fun, because we know breakthroughs often come from teams who feel inspired, not just pressured.

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve received so far?

One of the most memorable pieces of feedback we received came after a pitch to a group of veterinarian angel investors. As we wrapped up, one turned to the others and said, “This seems too good to be true. Amazing. Where do I sign?”

It was not just validation of the science. It was confirmation that our story, vision and execution had landed exactly as we intended. These were domain experts who had seen many pitches, and clinicians who have seen these heartbreaking situations on their treatment table, and yet they were genuinely excited. Not just to invest, but to get involved.

That moment stayed with us for two reasons. First, because it reinforced that when you communicate complex ideas clearly and authentically, you create not just understanding, but engagement. And second, because it was a light-hearted and energising win in a process that can often feel slow and challenging.

Fundraising typically involves tough questions, detailed due diligence and a lot of waiting. But this was immediate and enthusiastic. It reminded us that with the right idea with the right passion, you can spark genuine momentum.

It might not have been the most technical feedback we have ever received, but it captured belief in the project and excitement about the journey. To us, that is the ultimate validation.