Proteomics holds great promise for biomedical research – from understanding disease mechanisms to discovering new biomarkers. Over the past decade, advances in mass spectrometry and software have signi ficantly expanded what’s possible, but the field has yet to fully take off – largely because data analysis remains complex and time-consuming.
‘We want to change that,’ says Vadim Demichev, co-founder of Aptila and head of the Quantitative Proteomics Lab at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. ‘Our goal is to make proteomics a streamlined, easy to use and cost-effective research tool.’
Vadim Demichev and his team developed DIA-NN, an AI-powered software that helps researchers interpret the vast data from mass spectrometry. It filters noise, identi fies proteins and delivers reliable quanti fication – enabling novel applications of proteomics.
The first free version of DIA-NN was rapidly adopted by researchers worldwide, con firming its scienti fic value and commercial potential. In early 2025, Aptila launched the commercial version DIA-NN 2.0, now used by major pharma companies. A free academic version remains available.
‘We had a clear business case from the start,’ says co-founder and CEO Justus Grossmann. ‘But Ascenion’s guidance during company formation has brought real added value.‘
(Annual Review 2024/25)