Arzanya S.r.l

Arzanya S.r.l. is a biotechnological platform and academic spinoff from Ca' Foscari University of Venice that focuses on the discovery and engineering of macrocyclic peptide ligands for therapeutic applications. The company utilizes a proprietary technology platform that integrates yeast surface display with quantitative flow cytometry. This approach allows for the rapid screening and real-time affinity ranking of billions of diverse macrocyclic peptide variants in parallel, eliminating the need for upfront chemical synthesis during the initial discovery phase. By leveraging combinatorial techniques, the platform enables the identification of peptides with high affinity and selectivity against challenging therapeutic targets, which are then refined through iterative hit-to-lead optimization processes.

The company aims to address the urgent need for safe, affordable, and high-performance drug discovery pipelines for complex or currently untreatable diseases. By providing these advanced biomolecular engineering tools, Arzanya supports industrial partners and research institutions in accelerating the development of precision medicine. The technology is designed to offer a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional drug development, with potential advantages in reduced toxicity and improved stability compared to conventional chemotherapeutics. Arzanya has been recognized for its innovation and female-led entrepreneurship, receiving awards such as the Luciano Miotto Award and the BCC Innovation Festival prize.