Santero Therapeutics – Strategic-Technological Analysis
Santero Therapeutics is a Belgian biotech venture emerging from academic research, dedicated to solving one of the world’s most pressing health security challenges: antibiotic resistance. Founded in 2021 as a spin-off from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Santero is pioneering a new class of antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant “superbugs” that evade existing treatments[1][2]. At a time when Europe is striving for greater strategic autonomy in critical technologies, Santero’s work targets a vulnerability with both public health and security implications. The company has attracted attention not only for its innovative science – blocking a bacterial “Achilles heel” in stress response mechanisms – but also for its strategic value in reducing Europe’s dependence on foreign pharmaceutical supplies. Santero’s story intertwines cutting-edge biotechnology with the broader goals of European resilience and sovereignty, offering a compelling glimpse into how a small startup could help fortify Europe’s defenses against an invisible yet formidable threat.