Biotech startup joins elite cohort at Berkeley SkyDeck to pioneer first-of-its-kind regenerative therapy for periodontitis. BERKELEY, Calif., June 20, 2025: What if healing damaged tissue didn’t require invasive surgeries, expensive implants, or even stem cells? That’s the vision driving HypO2Regen Therapeutics, the latest recipient of UC Berkeley’s prestigious 2025 Venture Grant.

Founded by UC Berkeley Bioengineering Chair Dr. Phil Messersmith and biotech entrepreneur Isabelle Gorrillot, HypO2Regen is on a mission to transform how we treat chronic inflammatory diseases, starting with periodontitis, a severe gum disease that silently affects nearly 300 million people across the U.S. and Europe. Many don’t even know they have it, and for those who do, options are either limited or prohibitively expensive.

HypO2Regen Therapeutics is developing a cell-free stem cell therapy for periodontitis, impacting 300 million underserved people. It has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Venture Grant from UC Berkeley’s Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Center (LSEC), becoming the latest faculty-led team to receive funding and acceleration support for translating academic innovation into real-world biotech impact. 

“HypO2Regen exemplifies the spirit of Berkeley innovation,” said Darren Cooke, interim Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer at UC Berkeley and Executive Director of Berkeley LSEC. “With this grant, we’re supporting a transformative approach to inflammatory disease and continuing UC Berkeley’s legacy of fostering breakthrough startups.”

Now in year three, the LSEC Venture Grant awards $ 200 K+ to UC Berkeley teams ready to launch life sciences startups. Grant recipients join Berkeley SkyDeck, gaining mentorship, 800+ expert advisors, and access to over 500,000 alumni worldwide.

HypO2Regen will participate in SkyDeck’s Batch 20 cohort, which kicked off in May 2025. The team also gains access to I-Corps, QB3 Speed Teaming, and Bakar Labs events at UC Berkeley.

“Berkeley SkyDeck’s Bio+Health Track has been a launchpad for some of the most promising life sciences ventures,” said Caroline Winnett, Executive Director of Berkeley SkyDeck. “HypO2Regen’s approach to stem cell-like regeneration without the need for actual stem cells has remarkable therapeutic potential. We’re thrilled to support their journey.”

To qualify for the 2025 Venture Grant, startup teams must be composed of UC Berkeley faculty, PhD students, postdocs, or graduate students in biosciences, engineering, or business, and must commercialize IP invented at the university. Past winners include cutting-edge companies like Editpep, AsparaGlue, MuscleMatrix, MZR, and ASO Therapeutics.

The award offers $200K in funding, with a potential $100K more based on milestone progress. HypO2Regen’s therapy targets chronic inflammation beyond periodontitis, with potential for broader tissue regeneration applications.

FAQs

1. What makes HypO2Regen’s therapy different from traditional stem cell treatments?

Unlike traditional stem cell therapies that require harvesting and transplanting live cells, HypO2Regen is developing a cell-free solution. That means they’re using bioengineered molecules inspired by stem cells to trigger natural tissue regeneration without the risks, costs, or regulatory hurdles of handling live cells.

2. Why is HypO2Regen starting with periodontitis as its first target?

Periodontitis is a chronic gum disease that affects hundreds of millions worldwide but often goes untreated. It’s an ideal starting point because it’s common, underdiagnosed, and current treatments are either invasive or unaffordable. HypO2Regen’s approach aims to provide a less disruptive and more accessible option.

3. What kind of support does the UC Berkeley Venture Grant provide to startups?

The LSEC Venture Grant offers over $200,000 in funding, plus access to UC Berkeley’s entrepreneurial resources. That includes admission to the highly selective Berkeley SkyDeck accelerator, mentorship from industry experts, startup workshops, networking events, and commercialization tools like I-Corps and QB3 teaming programs.

4. Could HypO2Regen’s therapy be used for diseases beyond gum health?

Yes, that’s part of the long-term vision. Since chronic inflammation affects tissues in many parts of the body, like joints, arteries, or organs, HypO2Regen’s platform could eventually be applied to conditions like osteoarthritis or cardiovascular disease, expanding its impact far beyond oral health.

5. How does being part of Berkeley SkyDeck help a biotech startup like HypO2Regen?

SkyDeck provides much more than funding. For a biotech startup, it offers strategic guidance, introductions to potential investors, clinical trial advisors, and a fast track to early-stage growth. It’s like getting a launchpad with built-in experts, partners, and real-world momentum.