Lukas Langenegger – hemotune AG

Hemotune’s procedure can remove toxins from the blood that are usually hard to access. Specially developed magnetic nanoparticles bind to the toxins and can subsequently be separated magnetically. The dialysis machine is equipped with an additional device in which these nanoparticles are mixed with the blood and removed together with the toxins. The first application is being developed for the removal of endotoxins in acute sepsis.

What inspired you to start your company?
During my studies I stayed in Boston for my Masters’ thesis and was very impressed by the startup culture there. The passion of those founders inspired me to go back to Switzerland and work towards building something as well.

What entrepreneur(s) do you admire and why?
I am hugely impressed by the achievements of Elon Musk. He has a very strong vision of the future and is very dedicated to work towards his goals against all odds, despite all setbacks and with full commitment. He usually underestimates the time and effort needed to achieve his goals, but he’s shown that he is eventually able to deliver on his promises.

Can you tell us a short story about a customer using your product?
A typical patient that would benefit from our product is lying in the intensive care unit fighting a serious infection that got out of control. With the immune system not functioning properly, the inflammation is spread throughout the blood and the patient’s organs start to fail. With our blood purification, we aim at removing inflammation molecules in the blood stream to help stabilize the patient’s condition, so that the underlying infection can be fought.

What do you love about your own leadership role in your company?
I like being able to contribute to the buildup phase of our company and shape it together with my co-founders and co-workers. When you start something, you have a vague idea of where you want to go and how you will get there. While working towards this idea, you constantly sharpen this vision and are constantly learning. Although you need persistence to eventually achieve your goals, it is a very dynamic and versatile environment which I really enjoy.

Why did you apply for the W.A. de Vigier Award?
I know some of the former participants and winners and all of them encouraged me to participate in the competition. It is definitely one of the best-known startup awards in Switzerland.

What are your impressions so far about the W.A. de Vigier Award?
I enjoyed the interactions with the team at de Vigier a lot. I appreciate that it is not only about winning some money but really about learning more about your personal entrepreneurial skills, identifying areas where you can grow and working on those.