Karlheinz Schmelig
Managing Partner @ Creathor Ventures
Frankfurt, Germany
Karlheinz Schmelig is a Partner at CREATHOR VENTURE with focus on the life sciences sector and has been active in the venture capital industry since 1999. He started his venture capital career as an Investment Manager at Technologieholding and later was an Investment Director with 3i.Prior to his venture capital career, Karlheinz Schmelig spentten years in several global management positions with Boehringer Mannheim and F. Hoffmann-La Roche, with seven of those years spent in the USA. During his international career he was responsible for global marketing of biochemical R&D reagents for the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology and the academic R&D market and held leading functions in the field of supply-chain-management and R&D project management for laboratory and point of care diagnostics.
- Total investments:
- 15
- Last investment:
- Lead investor:
- 33%
Last updated:
For AI agents: llms.txt
Industries Karlheinz Schmelig invests in
Stages Karlheinz Schmelig invests in
Countries Karlheinz Schmelig invests in
Investment Focus
Industry
- Biotechnology 10 (67%)
- Health Care 7 (47%)
- Therapeutics 4 (27%)
- Medical 3 (20%)
- Pharmaceutical 3 (20%)
Stage
- Series B 4 (27%)
- Funding Round 4 (27%)
- Seed 1 (7%)
- Series C 1 (7%)
- Private Equity 1 (7%)
Country
- Germany 9 (60%)
- Sweden 1 (7%)
- United States 1 (7%)
Investments
| Company | Description | Round | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
Tacalyx
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Tacalyx develops therapeutics targeting cancer-specific carbohydrate antigens on the surface of metastatic malignant tumors where no satisfactory treatments exist.The name Tacalyx is derived from TACA (Tumor Associated Carbohydrate Antigen) and ‘lyx’ from the term Glycocalyx, the glycan-containing layer covering cells. Cancer cells differ fromnormal cells by displaying aberrant carbohydrate structures on their surfaces promoting metastasis, angiogenesis or suppression of the immune system. TACAs result from the aberrant glycosylation that is seen with transformation to a tumor cell and represent attractive targets for cancer treatment since they are displayed with high cancer specificity and enhance tumor virulence via the mentioned diverse mechanisms. | $12.9M / Seed / Apr 29, 2026 | |
|
Tacalyx
|
Tacalyx develops therapeutics targeting cancer-specific carbohydrate antigens on the surface of metastatic malignant tumors where no satisfactory treatments exist.The name Tacalyx is derived from TACA (Tumor Associated Carbohydrate Antigen) and ‘lyx’ from the term Glycocalyx, the glycan-containing layer covering cells. Cancer cells differ fromnormal cells by displaying aberrant carbohydrate structures on their surfaces promoting metastasis, angiogenesis or suppression of the immune system. TACAs result from the aberrant glycosylation that is seen with transformation to a tumor cell and represent attractive targets for cancer treatment since they are displayed with high cancer specificity and enhance tumor virulence via the mentioned diverse mechanisms. | $7.4M / Seed / Sep 25, 2019 | |
CryoTherapeutics
|
CryoTherapeutics is focusing on the development, demonstration of clinical benefit, and early-stage commercialization of a proprietary cryotherapy system for use in the treatment of coronary artery disease that causes heart attacks. The safety and efficacy of cryoenergy in the cardiovascular system has been demonstrated and CryoTherapeutics intendsto extend the benefits of cryoenergy to the problem of diseased coronary arteries. | $7.7M / Series B / Jun 27, 2019 | |
Acousia Therapeutics
|
Acousia Therapeutics GmbH is a privately held biotech company based in Tübingen, Germany. Acousia has experience and expertise in identifying and developing small molecule drug candidates for the treatment of hearing loss.Sensory hair cells are the key cells for hearing in the inner ear. Acousia`s approach will help to replace lost hair cells bycellular regeneration originating from supporting cells.ASpherecousia is developing drugs for local application, which will restore hearing in patients who have lost their hearing ability induced by various reasons, e.g. noise trauma, treatment with ototoxic drugs or sudden deafness. In addition, these therapies will have the potential to treat the age-related decrease in hearing capacity. | $11M / Series B / May 14, 2018 | |
|
CryoTherapeutics
|
CryoTherapeutics is focusing on the development, demonstration of clinical benefit, and early-stage commercialization of a proprietary cryotherapy system for use in the treatment of coronary artery disease that causes heart attacks. The safety and efficacy of cryoenergy in the cardiovascular system has been demonstrated and CryoTherapeutics intendsto extend the benefits of cryoenergy to the problem of diseased coronary arteries. | $5.7M / Series B / Jul 07, 2016 | |
AYOXXA
|
AYOXXA is a biotech company commercializing innovative technology developed at the National University of Singapore (NUS). AYOXXA’s patented technology platform is producing a new generation of biochips – merging biology with IT. This allows the biochip to accumulate large numbers of applications – measuring multiple protein markers for cancer,allergies, cardiovascular and infectious diseases – in a single test. | $9.9M / Series B / Jul 23, 2014 | |
SIRION BIOTECH
|
Viral Vector Technology as key enabler for innovative therapeutics. Viral vectors are a tool commonly used by molecular biologists to deliver genetic material into cells. This technique enables research of gene function and innovative therapeutics designed to correct defective genes and cancer. These technologies also assist in the discovery ofnew drug, food and cosmetic compounds. SIRION is a global leader in viral vector technology for gene modification of mammalian cells. Along with custom services, the company stands ready to outlicense its unique technologies. An initial target currently being pursued by one of SIRION's partners is a gene therapeutic for cervical cancer. The company started business in 2007 and since then has been changing the paradigm of viral vector supplies. Specifically, all commonly applied vector types are now available within a matter of weeks - adenovirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentivirus - and a full range of virus related services is at your fingertips spanning from particle production to virus driven cell modelling, all at highest titers and in quantities required for preclinical, clinical and animal testing.The company is easily accessible with presence in Munich, Tokyo, New Hampshire and Tel Aviv. Commercial arrangements range from fee-for-service over exclusive rights on single clones all the way to milestone & licensing arrangements. The business model proves successful: an annual 70% growth since 2007 and experienced in more than 500 projects for both the academic and industry sector.The company is privately held and has over the years raised funds from 8 investors both private and government. In order to support further growth and to benefit from technology development in this exciting industry, the company welcomes new investors. Please contact Management for further information about the company and its future plans. | Mar 08, 2013 | |
Sividon Diagnostics
|
Based in Cologne, Germany, Sividon Diagnostics is a management buyout from Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics in Cologne. The aim of Sividon team of experienced scientists and managers was and still is, the quality of companion diagnostics in oncology to improve their products sustainably. So in the future treatment decisions could in cancer -especially breast cancer - will be further improved by an individualized, evidence-based diagnosis. In this way Sividon is also supported by an established international network of renowned experts.In addition to the many years of professional experience in molecular diagnostics, there are the extensive rights and to the year 2004 reaching back arrangements that characterize the team and Sividon. | Private Equity / Sep 02, 2011 | |
|
SIRION BIOTECH
|
Viral Vector Technology as key enabler for innovative therapeutics. Viral vectors are a tool commonly used by molecular biologists to deliver genetic material into cells. This technique enables research of gene function and innovative therapeutics designed to correct defective genes and cancer. These technologies also assist in the discovery ofnew drug, food and cosmetic compounds. SIRION is a global leader in viral vector technology for gene modification of mammalian cells. Along with custom services, the company stands ready to outlicense its unique technologies. An initial target currently being pursued by one of SIRION's partners is a gene therapeutic for cervical cancer. The company started business in 2007 and since then has been changing the paradigm of viral vector supplies. Specifically, all commonly applied vector types are now available within a matter of weeks - adenovirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentivirus - and a full range of virus related services is at your fingertips spanning from particle production to virus driven cell modelling, all at highest titers and in quantities required for preclinical, clinical and animal testing.The company is easily accessible with presence in Munich, Tokyo, New Hampshire and Tel Aviv. Commercial arrangements range from fee-for-service over exclusive rights on single clones all the way to milestone & licensing arrangements. The business model proves successful: an annual 70% growth since 2007 and experienced in more than 500 projects for both the academic and industry sector.The company is privately held and has over the years raised funds from 8 investors both private and government. In order to support further growth and to benefit from technology development in this exciting industry, the company welcomes new investors. Please contact Management for further information about the company and its future plans. | Jun 27, 2011 | |
Phenex Pharmaceuticals
|
Phenex Pharmaceuticals AG was founded in 2002. It is a privately held drug discovery & development company based in the Biotech Cluster Rhine-Neckar with Biology and Chemistry laboratories and offices primarily in Heidelberg and partly in Ludwigshafen.Their company focuses its small-molecule drug discovery expertise in Liver andGastrointestinal disease areas and has now recently entered the field of Cancer Therapy. They not only devise novel therapeutics for known targets but additionally aim to identify novel molecular mechanisms. This provides the basis for the identification of novel small molecules with "game changing" capabilities. Historically, Phenex has identified two of such novel mechanisms from literature and has translated them into proprietary novel therapeutic small molecules. | $6.6M / Series C / Sep 21, 2010 | |
| See all 15 investments → | |||
Co-Investors
About Creathor Ventures
Creathor Ventures invests in technology-oriented companies that are driving the automation of industry and business as well as the personalization and digitalization of the healthcare sector. The regional focus is on Germany and Switzerland. From its offices in Bad Homburg and Zurich, the 15-strong team currently supports over 30 tech and lifescience companies. Over the past 30 years, the management team has financed over 200 companies as lead or co-lead investors. More than 20 companies have been listed on international stock exchanges. Creathor Ventures currently manages a fund volume of over 230 million euros.
Creathor Ventures Contacts
| Name | Phone | Socials | |
|---|---|---|---|
Angela Will-Jamin
PR & Team Assistant
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Cedric Kohler
Managing Partner
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Gert Kohler
Founder and Chairman
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Karlheinz Schmelig
Managing Partner
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Lisa Fahrner
Finance Manager
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FAQ
What does Karlheinz Schmelig invest in?
Karlheinz Schmelig invests primarily in Biotechnology, Health Care and Therapeutics startups, most often at Series B and Funding Round stage. Most of the 15 investments tracked by Shizune back companies in Germany. The Investment Focus section breaks down every industry, stage and country in the portfolio.
When did Karlheinz Schmelig last invest?
The most recent investment recorded for Karlheinz Schmelig closed in Apr 2026. Shizune tracks 15 investments in total for this profile, including round sizes, stages and portfolio companies, all sourced from confirmed public funding rounds and refreshed monthly.
Is Shizune's investor data accurate?
Yes — every stat on this profile is calculated from confirmed public funding rounds monitored across hundreds of sources since 2020. This profile was last refreshed in Aug 2026 and is updated monthly. Spotted something off? Use the “Suggest an edit” link near the top of the page.
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