SeedBlink Blog

Pierre Tangermann brings a wealth of experience to the helm of PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals GmbH, where he serves as CEO and Founder. With a background spanning from academia to business development in leading research institutions like the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Pierre's journey reflects a dedication to bridging the gap between scientific innovation and commercial success. Together with Dr. Mirko Buchholz, who brings in years of experience in biotech and served as a group leader at Fraunhofer, the duo manages PerioTrap’s development.

PerioTrap has introduced a novel treatment targeting the bacteria responsible for Periodontitis, a common gum inflammation disorder affecting half of adults. Unlike traditional toothpaste that broadly targets bacteria, potentially disrupting beneficial oral microbes, PerioTrap's substance selectively inhibits harmful bacteria while preserving the healthy oral microbiome.

1. What ‘aha’ moment led to the founding of PerioTrap?

When we saw a specific effect of our compounds on the bacterium confirming our target hypothesis. To us, it then felt like we stumbled upon the needle in the haystack.

2. What was your drive back then? What change did you want to make?

The oral care space hasn’t seen any revolutions in the last years leaving patients with little options to manage their conditions. That’s what we wanted to change with a feasible and affordable solution.

3. How does PerioTrap significantly contribute to addressing the challenges of periodontitis treatment, and what specific market gap does it address?

We develop our products in alignment with the technical and market challenges. Not only is it a complex disease but due to the high out-of-pocket contributions there is a high cost pressure of treatments. So we focus on patient and user journeys to make products that are easily appliable to maximize adherence but that are also cost-effective in manufacturing.

4. How do you scale your business, driving financial success?

We have a strong partnering approach with market leaders in the fields. Once launched, our products can get ad-hoc access to millions of users and patients.

5. How does PerioTrap guide and empower clinicians to make informed decisions when adopting your periodontitis treatment solutions?

As a spin-off from leading European research institutions, our developments were science-driven from the beginning. We keep pursuing this strategy by working with the world’s most renowned clinicians in the field. Profound publications will help forge new paradigms in periodontitis management.

6. How do you envision the company's future growth within the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in the field of periodontitis treatment?

The pharmaceutical pathway is only one route we’re addressing, currently with a product with known treatment codes. In the dental field pharmaceutical products are rare, so we would like to be considered as a leader in this particular field.

7. What are potential exit scenarios for investors supporting PerioTrap?

We have a distinguished IP strategy to support industry-specific exits of assets which we envision after market proof-of-concepts.

8. Do you have a mentor or person you admire in the tech industry?

Haha, well. I don’t have a specific role model. I consider everyone an ally and the community is so supportive which itself admires me.

9. Why should investors consider being part of PerioTrap's journey?

Being involved in genuine innovations in the management of one of the world's most prevalent and persistent diseases is simultaneously fulfilling from a humanitarian standpoint and economically lucrative.

Explore the opportunity on SeedBlink.