Lithuanian startup Pioneera Biosciences is redefining the boundaries of cell and gene therapy through artificial intelligence and global collaboration. Recently selected for the Startup Lithuania Accelerator powered by Plug and Play, the company is developing advanced CAR-T and CAR-NK therapies using its proprietary Discovery 4.0™ platform — a modular system built to accelerate and enhance immunotherapy development through AI. 

Operating between Lithuania and the MENA region, Pioneera is setting a new standard in precision medicine. The company’s platform applies transformer-based models, reinforcement learning, and tumor microenvironment simulations to tackle challenges like tumor heterogeneity, immune resistance, and individualized treatment response — significantly shortening development timelines while improving therapeutic outcomes. 

Pioneera is led by Dr. Alireza Daneshvar, an award-winning biopharma scientist and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, alongside Dr. Mohammad H. Sharifnia, an expert in biomedical engineering and AI-driven drug design, and Dr. Rakhshan Mashayekhi, a specialist in pharmaceutical technologies and clinical development. Together, they are building a company with the ambition and scientific depth to transform global immunotherapy pipelines. 

The decision to join the Startup Lithuania Accelerator was a calculated step in Pioneera’s scale-up strategy. “We saw an opportunity to scale our impact by combining Lithuania’s strong innovation ecosystem with Plug and Play’s international reach,” said Dr. Daneshvar. “Access to Silicon Valley expertise, European investors, and clinical leaders from the UAE helped refine both our technology and our go-to-market strategy.” 

During the program, the company received extensive mentorship, strategic input on IP and clinical pathways, and introductions to international clinical partners and biopharma stakeholders. According to Dr. Sharifnia, these engagements accelerated the company’s development trajectory, enabling pilot discussions with regional hospitals and drawing global investor interest. Dr. Mashayekhi noted that warm, qualified introductions provided by the accelerator were instrumental in forging meaningful collaborations. 

Pioneera’s participation in the program led to major milestones, including regulatory support in the UAE, recognition at Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, the MedTech World Rising Star of the Year Award, and renewed media attention, including a feature in Forbes 30 Under 30. Now, the company is preparing for its next phase: a $5 million funding round to launch a strategic collaboration with Vilnius-based universities and academic hospitals. The initiative will support clinical trial implementation and localized manufacturing of cell therapies in Lithuania, contributing to the country’s growing biotech ecosystem. 

Karolina Urbonaitė, Head of Startup Lithuania at Innovation Agency Lithuania, underscored the broader relevance of Pioneera’s success: 

“Every batch of our accelerator powered by Plug and Play proves that we have world-class talent capable of tackling the most complex scientific and technological challenges. It’s inspiring to witness how local teams are not only building advanced solutions but also earning international trust and recognition. This is exactly the kind of impact we aim to cultivate — one where Lithuania is not just the origin of innovation, but also the place where global biotech progress begins.” 

Looking ahead, Pioneera views its partnership with Startup Lithuania and Plug and Play as a long-term relationship. “This is not a one-time program — it’s an ongoing strategic alliance,” said Dr. Daneshvar. “We intend to stay deeply engaged with both ecosystems as we move forward with clinical trials, international expansion, and product commercialization.” 

Pioneera Biosciences stands as a powerful example of how Lithuanian startups are not only pushing scientific boundaries but doing so at a globally competitive level. With the right partnerships, infrastructure, and vision, the future of biotech is being built — and launched — from Lithuania. 
 
To learn more and discover what other startups have developed during the fourth cohort of the Startup Lithuania Accelerator powered by Plug and Play, join Expo Day on July 31 at Cyber City (Švitrigailos g. 36, B Building, Vilnius). The event will feature pitches and demos from recent graduates as they showcase their progress to investors, partners, and the wider tech community.