· All current investors participated in the round led by AIF,PMV and QBIC III, alongside new investor Anacura
· Funds will support EU commercialization of Nanoprotec®, a first-in-class oral monoclonal antibody for ETEC protection in piglets
· Regulatory filing planned by end of 2025; market launch expected by end of 2026
Zwijnaarde, 1 July 2025 – Animab (“the Company”), a leader in pioneering first-in-class oral antibody solutions for unmet needs in production animals, announces the successful closing of a EUR 10 million Series B funding round. The investment will support the commercial launch of Animab Nanoprotec® as well as the advancement of its broader pipeline. This financing round follows shortly after Animab’s exclusive distribution agreement with Huvepharma, reinforcing the strong momentum behind the upcoming commercialization of Nanoprotec® in the European market.
The funding round was led by AIF, PMV and QBIC III, and supported by all existing investors, including Seventure Partners, V-Bio Ventures, and VIB and welcomed Anacura as a new investor.
“This successful round is the result of aligned leadership, longstanding trust from our partners, and a shared commitment to combating antimicrobial resistance through animal-friendly disease control solutions,” said Jan Spaas, Chairman of the Board at Animab. “We are especially pleased to welcome Anacura, whose experience further strengthens our governance, and we sincerely thank all existing investors for their continued confidence in our team.” Alain Wille, CEO of Animab, added: “This milestone reflects our shared belief in Animab’s potential to transform animal health without relying on antibiotics. With the continued support of our investors, we are accelerating the path toward antibiotic-free livestock solutions – enhancing both animal welfare and productivity. This funding also positions us to potentially reach break-even by the end of 2027.”
Felix Van Camp from Anacura stated: “We are thrilled to join Animab at this pivotal moment. Our decision to invest was based not only on the strength of Nanoprotec® and Animab’s promising pipeline, but also on the proven credibility of its leadership. Having worked with Jan in previous ventures, we have full confidence in their ability to guide Animab to market success.”
Lead investors Sofie Baeten from Qbic, Kenneth Wils from PMV and Barbara Berckmans from AIF are adding: “With antimicrobial resistance posing an increasing global health crisis, solutions like Nanoprotec® are more urgent than ever. Animab offers a revolutionary solution to a long-standing challenge in livestock farming. Their antibiotic-free approach marks a major leap toward sustainable animal health – exactly the type of innovation the European farming sector needs.”
Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance with Nanoprotec®
Nanoprotec® is Animab’s first-in-class oral monoclonal antibody designed to target enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4, a leading cause of diarrhea in piglets that results in poor growth and high mortality rates. With over 60 million piglets affected annually in the EU, existing disease control strategies depend heavily on antibiotics. Nanoprotec® offers an effective, antibiotic-free alternative by preventing bacterial adhesion to the intestinal wall, thereby neutralizing pathogens before they become harmful. Administered via drinking water, the product delivers immediate immunity and a practical, scalable solution for farmers seeking sustainable livestock health strategies. Clinical trials have demonstrated a significant reduction in ETEC F4-related symptoms, supporting its potential to become a new standard in preventive care. A regulatory submission to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is planned by the end of 2025, with a market launch anticipated by the end of 2026. In addition to advancing animal health, Nanoprotec® also contributes to mitigating the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – a global crisis projected to cause up to 22 million deaths annually by 2050, according to a recent study (The Lancet, September 2024). By reducing reliance on antibiotics in animal production, Animab approach represents a critical step toward safeguarding both animal and public health.
Contact:
Alain Wille, CEO of Animab
Phone: +32 467 06 00 91
Email: alain.wille@animab.com
About Animab
Animab is a biotech company founded in 2020 as a spin off from VIB, UGent and VUB, dedicated to addressing the changing needs of livestock production. Leveraging proprietary research discoveries, Animab focuses on targeting gastrointestinal infections in animals. Its interdisciplinary team integrates cutting-edge research in animal science and biotechnology to advance product breakthroughs, cost-efficiency and sustainability in animal health. Led by experts in vaccines, biotechnology, business management and international marketing, Animab is committed to offering safe and sustainable solutions that enhance animal performance and well-being. More information: www.animab.com
About QBIC
Qbic is a sector-agnostic seed and early-stage venture capital fund, focusing on creating impact through the transformation of technological breakthroughs into sustainable business. The fund’s goal is to support young innovative companies that valorise research from Qbic’s knowledge partners. The fund typically participates in the first external investment round of a company and continues to support and invest in these companies throughout their growth.
Across 3 funds, Qbic has close to € 200M in AUM. This operation benefits from the support from the European Union under the InvestEU Fund. More information: www.qbic.be
About PMV
The Flemish investment company PMV is shaping the future of the Flemish economy. PMV finances promising companies from the very start, through to growth and internationalisation. PMV offers tailor-made financial solutions to entrepreneurs with a good business plan and a strong management team. It does so with capital, loans and guarantees. It also realises, with and for the government, and other partners, projects that are important for prosperity and well-being in Flanders. PMV has a portfolio with 1.9 billion euros under management. More information: www.pmv.eu
About AIF
Agri Investment Fund BV (“AIF”) is the private equity and venture capital fund of the group Boerenbond (Farmers’ Union) and wishes through its investments to contribute directly or indirectly to a stronger and more sustainable agriculture and horticulture in Flanders and German speaking Belgium. Its investments have a focus within the Ag-Tech and Agro-Food domains aiming at stimulating innovation and as such helping to build a stronger agriculture of the future, allowing farmers and horticulturists to provide high-quality products at honest prices. More information: www.aifund.be
About Seventure
Seventure Partners is a long-term equity investor who actively supports innovative companies aiming at generating positive impacts on People, Society, Sustainability and the Planet. With ~€1b net commitments under management as of the end of 2024, Seventure is a leading venture capital firm in Europe investing since 1997 in innovative businesses with high growth potential in two main fields: (i) Life Sciences (biotechnology, health & digital health, nutrition, #foodtech, blue economy, aquaculture, animal feed, agriculture, sport & wellness…) with a particular focus on the microbiome, across Europe, Israel, Asia, Australia and North America, and (ii) Digital Technologies (fintech, retailtech, cybersecurity, etc.) in Europe, mainly France and Germany. For more information: www.seventure.fr/en Twitter: @seventurep
About VIB
VIB is a leading life sciences research institute based in Belgium, operating in close partnership with the Flemish universities and renowned for its work in medical sciences, plant biology, microbiology, artificial intelligence and biotechnology. VIB’s mission is to push the boundaries of scientific discovery, transform it into disruptive biotech innovations and support the growth of the life sciences ecosystem in Flanders (Belgium).
VIB drives the translation of research discoveries into innovative products and technologies for patients and society. It does so by launching new spin-offs, licensing intellectual property to companies, engaging in dynamic partnerships and fostering talent development. VIB has created >40 spin-offs in the healthcare and agrifood sectors, attracting almost €2 billion in equity investment and has partnered intensely with private industry, generating over €350 million in income. VIB’s research has led to dozens of innovative products brought to market for medical, agriculture, and food applications, with many more in development. Eight of its spin-off companies have reached the clinical stage. More information: www.vib.be
About V Bio
V-Bio Ventures is an independent venture capital firm specialized in financing and supporting innovative life sciences companies. V-Bio Ventures was founded in 2015 and works closely with Belgium-based VIB, one of the world’s leading research institutes in the life sciences. The fund invests across Europe in high growth potential start-ups and young companies targeting transformational innovations in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. More information: https://www.v-bio.ventures/
About Anacura
Anacura is the laboratory group of Griet Nuytinck. It’s active as an independent analytical centre of excellence in both healthcare and drug development. More information: www.anacura.com
Brussels, Belgium, 24th June 2025 — Precirix, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies, today announced the submission of an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for CAM-FAP-Ac-225, a novel targeted alpha therapy (TAT) designed to treat FAP-expressing solid tumors.
CAM-FAP-Ac-225 is a best-in-class radiopharmaceutical that combines a fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-targeting single domain antibody targeting vector, with the potent alpha-emitting isotope Actinium-225. FAP is highly expressed in cancerassociated fibroblasts (CAFs) across a broad range of epithelial tumors, making it a promising target for broad therapeutic application.
“This IND submission marks a major milestone for Precirix and our mission to develop innovative and highly targeted cancer therapies” said Tom Piltz, Chief Executive Officer of Precirix. “We are excited to advance CAM-FAP-Ac-225 into clinical development and believe that it has potential to set a new standard for FAP-directed radiopharmaceuticals”.
Following FDA clearance, the company plans to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, dosimetry, and preliminary efficacy of CAM-FAP-Ac225 in patients with advanced solid tumors known to express FAP.
About CAM-FAP-Ac-225
CAM-FAP-Ac-225 is an investigational targeted alpha therapy that delivers Actinium225 directly to the tumor microenvironment via a FAP-targeting ligand. The alpha particles emitted by Ac-225 have high linear energy transfer (LET), enabling potent and localized cytotoxicity with minimal off-target effects.
About Precirix
Precirix is a private biopharmaceutical company dedicated to extending and improving the lives
of cancer patients by designing and developing precision radiopharmaceuticals, using camelid
single domain antibodies (sdAb) labelled with a variety of radioisotopes.
Contact:
Precirix NV
Tom Plitz, CEO
tom.plitz@precirix.com
info@precirix.com
http://www.precirix.com
· US-based Dieter Weinand is the former CEO of Bayer Pharma with more than 25 years of experience as a senior business leader in the pharmaceutical industry
· The appointment comes as AstriVax Therapeutics matures as a clinical stage immunotherapy company with multiple therapeutic assets in development
· Outgoing Chair Dr. Jeanne Bolger will remain on the Board as a non-executive independent director
Leuven, Belgium, June 12, 2025 – AstriVax Therapeutics NV, a clinical stage immunotherapy company developing novel treatments for chronic infections based on its proprietary Launch-iT technology, announced today the appointment of Dieter Weinand as Chair of the Board of Directors, effective June 12, 2025. Mr. Weinand is the former Chief Executive Officer of Bayer Pharma AG with more than 25 years of experience as a senior business leader in the pharmaceutical industry. He takes over from Dr. Jeanne Bolger, who served as Chair since 2022 and will remain on the Board as a non-executive independent director.
The appointment follows the recent announcement by AstriVax Therapeutics that it has initiated its second Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of AVX70371 for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
“On behalf of the entire AstriVax Therapeutics team and our Board, I would like to welcome Dieter Weinand as our new Chair,” said Hanne Callewaert, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of AstriVax Therapeutics. “Dieter brings with him a phenomenal amount of experience as a global pharmaceutical leader. He shares our entrepreneurial drive and our mission to improve the lives of patients affected by chronic diseases. I am honored to have Dieter on board and look forward to working alongside him in expanding our network globally among investors and potential future partners.”
“I would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude to Dr. Jeanne Bolger for her tenure as our first Chair,” added Dr. Callewaert. “Jeanne’s contributions to the advancement of our therapeutic assets into clinical development have been invaluable and we are very fortunate to have her remaining on the Board where we can continue to benefit from her insights and expertise.”
“AstriVax Therapeutics’ Launch-iT technology platform and its immunotherapy drug candidates for the treatment of chronic infectious diseases are extremely impressive and I am very excited to be joining at this significant moment in the company’s journey,” said Dieter Weinand, Chair of the Board of Directors of AstriVax Therapeutics. “I am looking forward to working with Hanne and the team as we progress the company’s pipeline through clinical development, further expand our network globally with companies and investors, and make genuine positive impacts on patient outcomes.”
About Dieter Weinand
During his career, Dieter Weinand has held a number of senior roles leading business operations around the world for companies including Bayer, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb and Sanofi. He has led the development, launch and marketing of products in therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular disease, oncology, immunology, respiratory and inflammatory diseases. Mr. Weinand is currently a member of the Board of Coya Therapeutics and Replimune, Chairman of the Board of Confo Therapeutics, and Executive Chairman of the Board of Mnemo Therapeutics. He earned an M.S. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Long Island University, New York, and a B.A. in Biology from Concordia College, New York.
About AstriVax Therapeutics
AstriVax Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel immunotherapies that could offer broad and long-lasting treatment of chronic infectious diseases. Leveraging proprietary Launch-iT plug and play plasmid-based technology, AstriVax Therapeutics is building a portfolio of clinical candidates targeting chronic viral infections, initially focused on hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. The company’s Launch-iT product candidates are potential game-changers in the fight against viral pathogens. They are easy to produce, have limited cold chain requirements, and are expected to trigger a strong and lasting immune response. AstriVax Therapeutics is supported by well-known investors V-Bio Ventures, Fund+, Flanders Future TechFund managed by PMV, Thuja Capital, Ackermans & van Haaren, OMX Europe Venture Fund (Mérieux Equity Partners and Korys), BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity, and the KU Leuven Gemma Frisius Fund. Founded in 2022, AstriVax Therapeutics is located in Leuven, Belgium. For more information, please visit astrivax.com.
Media contacts:
Hanne Callewaert, PhD, CEO of Astrivax Therapeutics
corporate@astrivax.com
Alexandra Schiettekatte
Tel: +32 476 65 04 38
alexandra@themisandiris.agency
RootWave, the UK-based pioneer in electrical weed control, has successfully raised $15 million to scale its sustainable, chemical-free solution for eliminating weeds – including herbicide-resistant varieties – using electricity.
The round was led by Clay Capital, a specialist food and agriculture venture fund, with participation from Agri Investment Fund – the investment arm of the Belgian collective Boerenbond Group – as well as vineyard-focused Xinomavro Ventures, Naruhisa Nakagawa, founder and CIO of Caygan Capital, Jorge Heraud, former CEO and Co-founder of Blue River Technology (acquired by John Deere), and returning investors V-Bio Ventures, Rabo Ventures and PYMWYMIC. The round includes $3 million in debt facilities provided by Innovate UK as part of the UK’s Future Economy initiative.
At a time when agrifoodtech investment has fallen to its lowest levels in five years, RootWave’s success underscores the urgent demand for sustainable agriculture solutions.
The $40+ billion herbicide industry is facing unprecedented challenges from herbicide-resistant weeds and tightening regulation due to safety concerns. While alternative solutions such as mechanical, laser, and thermal weeding have emerged, RootWave stands out for its unmatched combination of efficacy, cost competitiveness, and safety. Its market leading technology eliminates weeds without damaging soils or crops, with field performance rivalling that of chemical herbicides.
RootWave manufactures tractor-mounted implements using its patented high-frequency electricity that delivers exceptional performance, achieving up to 99% kill rates in a single pass during independent field trials. Compatible with conventional, regenerative and organic farming systems, the technology helps farmers protect yields and profits while safeguarding human health and the environment.
RootWave has commercial sales in the UK and has also secured international manufacturing and distribution agreements, including a partnership with leading mechanical weeding company, Garford Farm Machinery. The company is actively conducting trials with several other agrimachinery manufacturers to expand distribution across Europe, with plans to enter the US market thereafter. RootWave’s electrical weeding technology is suitable for a wide range of crops from tree, bush and vine crops, to row crops including vegetables, broad-acre, and cereals.
With this new funding, RootWave is set to accelerate both regional and international rollout, drive forward its mission to replace chemical herbicides use worldwide, and become the new standard for sustainable weed control.
Andrew Diprose, CEO of RootWave, commented: “This fundraising allows RootWave to accelerate its growth. We are grateful for the support from our customers, partners, and employees, and look forward to working with the new investors. Together, we will grow RootWave to become the dominant global player in weed control.’
“Decades of chemical herbicides overuse have made resistant weeds one of agriculture’s toughest challenges. We chose to back RootWave because it offers farmers an affordable, effective, and safe alternative to chemical herbicides,” shared Darren Leong, Principal at Clay Capital. “Having known Andrew and the team for over seven years, we have seen their technology evolve from concept to commercial launch, partnering with some of the world’s leading agriculture machinery companies. RootWave is now well-positioned to become the solution of choice for farmers seeking a safer and more effective option”.
Patrik Haesen, CEO of Agri Investment Fund, comments: “Weed control being an increasing challenge for farmers, we are excited to support RootWave bringing its technology to market. Providing a non-chemical and sustainable solution that destroys weeds down to the roots is a true gamechanger for agriculture.”
Contact
Andrew Diprose Chief Executive Officer +44 7816 312039 andrew.diprose@rootwave.com
For sales and marketing:
Tom Archer Head of Sales and Marketing +44 7880 786460 tom.archer@rootwave.com
About RootWave
RootWave manufactures machines that kill weeds using electricity, completely replacing the need for chemical herbicides — saving farmers money while protecting human health and the environment. Its electrical weeding technology is highly effective, does not disturb the soil, and is compatible with both organic and regenerative farming systems. RootWave’s patented technology uses high frequency alternating current for effective and environmentally friendly weed control. Jorge Heraud, former Co-Founder and CEO of Blue River Technology which exited to John Deere for over USD 300 million, sits on the advisory board of RootWave. www.rootwave.com
About Clay Capital
Headquartered in Singapore, Clay Capital supports ambitious teams that are developing transformative solutions for a healthier, safer, and more regenerative agri-food system. Pioneers in making impactful investments in agrifood tech, Clay Capital is backed by significant institutional investors, including government-linked funds, supranational entities, banks, insurance companies, and prominent families in the agrifood industry. www.claycapital.vc
About Agri Investment Fund
Agri Investment Fund BV (“AIF”) is the private equity and venture capital fund of the group Boerenbond (Farmers’ Union) and wishes through its investments to contribute directly or indirectly to a stronger and more sustainable agriculture and horticulture in Flanders and German speaking Belgium. Its investments have a focus within the Ag-Tech and Agro-Food domains aiming at stimulating innovation and as such helping to build a stronger agriculture of the future, allowing farmers and horticulturists to provide high-quality products at honest prices. www.aifund.be.
About Xinomavro Ventures
Xinomavro Ventures invests in early-stage startups in AgTech, WineTech and Beverage innovations. Founded in 2023 by Grégoire Letort and Guillaume de Pracomtal, it supports startups that create a more sustainable future for the wine & beverage industry. www.xinomavro-ventures.com
About V-Bio Ventures
V-Bio Ventures is an independent venture capital firm specialized in financing and supporting innovative life sciences companies. Since its inception in 2015 the fund invests across Europe in high growth potential startups and young companies targeting transformational innovations in the biotech, pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors. www.v-bio.ventures
About Rabo Ventures
Rabo Ventures, part of Rabobank, partners with early stage companies across the value chain to support their growth ambitions and enable the vital transitions needed in global Food & Agriculture. We invest behind stellar management teams building solutions for real problems with a focus on driving innovation and sustainability. With a local presence in more than 40 countries, Rabobank is the global leader in Food & Agriculture banking. As part of Rabobank’s captive investment franchise, Rabo Investments, we leverage the banks platform, knowledge and network to help sustain and grow your business while accelerating transitions that matter. www.raboinvestments.com/team/ventures/
About Pymwymic
Pymwymic (Put Your Money Where Your Meaning Is Community) has taken a frontrunner role in the transition towards investing with care for both people and planet since 1994. Backed by over 250 individuals, families, entrepreneurs and angel investors and joined by institutional investors, we have launched two Article 9 compliant impact funds, currently investing through the Healthy Food Systems Impact Fund II. This fund focuses on early-stage AgriFood scale-ups that offer pioneering solutions in areas like sustainable farming, food waste reduction, and regenerative agriculture. www.pymwymic.com
Images
RootWave F601 machine for vine-and-tree-crops.
RootWave F601 machine for vine-and-tree-crops.
2 weeks after RootWave treatment of a vineyard.
Marche-en-Famenne and Ghent, Belgium – June 10th, 2025 – ATB Therapeutics, a pioneering biopharmaceutical company specializing in innovative antibody-based therapies for oncology and immunology, is pleased to announce two major developments:
1. The appointment of Dr. Torsten Dreier as Chief Development Officer (CDO)
2. The opening of an additional research and development hub in Gent, Belgium
Dr. Dreier, co-founder of argenx, brings over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having held key roles in the development of antibody-based drugs at leading biotech companies including Micromet, Ablynx, argenx, and Agomab. His deep expertise will be instrumental in advancing ATB Therapeutics’ pipeline of novel therapeutic formats, particularly through the company’s proprietary plant-based ATBioFarm technology.
“We are thrilled to welcome Torsten Dreier to our team,” said Bertrand Magy, CEO of ATB Therapeutics. “His extensive experience and proven leadership in drug development will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and expand our capabilities.”
Dr. Dreier shared his perspective on joining the company: “I’m excited to join ATB Therapeutics at such a pivotal time. The company’s unique approach to delivering novel payloads through its ATBioFarm platform offers a promising avenue to push the boundaries of antibody-drug conjugate development in a meaningful way.”
In tandem with this strategic appointment, ATB Therapeutics is proud to unveil its new R&D hub located in the VIB Bio-Incubator in Gent—a state-of-the-art facility designed to foster biotech innovation. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth and commitment to accelerating the development of transformative therapies.
“The new hub in Gent represents a significant milestone for ATB Therapeutics,” said Mark Throsby, Executive Chairman. “Gent is renowned for its concentration of high-level biotech companies and as a hub where top talent converges. This environment will provide us with unparalleled opportunities to build a world-class scientific team and drive our research and development efforts forward.”
ATB Therapeutics remains steadfast in its mission to address high unmet medical needs through next-generation weaponized antibody therapies. These latest developments underscore the company’s dedication to advancing the fields of oncology and immunology.
For more information, please visit www.atbtherapeutics.com
About ATB Therapeutics
Founded in 2018, ATB Therapeutics is a pioneering biotechnology company based in Marche-en-Famenne, Belgium, dedicated to the discovery and development of novel antibody therapies. Leveraging a proprietary technology platform based on plant molecular farming, ATB Therapeutics aims to deliver targeted solutions to high unmet medical needs, including oncology and autoimmune diseases, through innovative, next-generation of weaponized antibody treatments.
For Media Inquiries, Contact
ATB Therapeutics
Dr Bertrand Magy, CEO
Email: info@atbtherapeutics.com
Leuven, Belgium, June 5, 2025 – AstriVax Therapeutics NV, a clinical stage immunotherapy company developing novel treatments for chronic infections based on its proprietary Launch-iT technology, announced today the start of clinical development with AVX70371 for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The phase I RUBY study (NCT06989788) will evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of repeated injections of AVX70371 in 16 healthy adult volunteers at the Centre for Vaccinology of the Ghent University, Belgium. Up to three doses of AVX70371 are being evaluated in preparation for an assessment in a chronic HBV patient population, who are known to experience HBV-specific immune exhaustion. All subjects have now been treated with the first dose of AVX70371. The trial is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026, with an interim analysis before the end of 2025.
“AVX70371 has been designed to elicit a specific T-cell immune response against infected hepatocytes in which HBV is actively replicating. Knowing that patients with chronic hepatitis B suffer from immune exhaustion, this targeted immunotherapy approach is expected to intervene at the source of the chronic viral infection,” said Mathieu Peeters, M.D., Chief Development Officer at AstriVax Therapeutics. “Starting clinical development with AVX70371 is the first step in the development of a new approach that could form the basis of a functional cure for chronic HBV infection.”
“Following positive results from our first clinical study in 2024, which evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of our Launch-iT technology platform, starting the clinical development with our first therapeutic Launch-iT program is a significant milestone for AstriVax Therapeutics. Despite available preventive vaccines, chronic hepatitis B still affects over 250 million people worldwide, so there is an ongoing need for improved options for patients beyond life-long antiviral treatment,” Hanne Callewaert, Ph.D., cofounder and CEO of AstriVax Therapeutics, added. “AstriVax Therapeutics is also in the process of selecting a second immunotherapy Launch-iT clinical candidate for treating human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Our plan is to rapidly advance this program towards clinical
development in patients, further supporting our track record of moving assets quickly into the clinical validation phase.”
About Launch-iT
Launch-iT (launched Immnunotherapy) is a plasmid-based technology that can rapidly generate viral vectors encoding novel antigens of interest as immunotherapy drug candidates. The tolerability and effectiveness of the platform has been validated in the SAFYR clinical study, which demonstrated that a single injection with AVX70120 (Yellow fever) or AVX70481 (Rabies) is very well tolerated and can induce high and long-lasting antibody titers and T-cell counts in responders, including CD4 and CD8 T-cells.
About AstriVax Therapeutics
AstriVax Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel immunotherapies that could offer broad and long-lasting treatment of chronic infectious diseases. Leveraging its proprietary Launch-iT plug and play plasmid-based technology, AstriVax Therapeutics is building a portfolio of product candidates targeting chronic viral infections, initially focused on hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. The company’s Launch-iT product candidates are potential game-changers in the fight against viral pathogens. They are easy to produce, have limited cold chain requirements, and are expected to trigger a strong and lasting immune response. AstriVax Therapeutics is supported by well-known investors V-Bio Ventures, Fund+, Flanders Future TechFund managed by PMV, Thuja Capital, Ackermans & van Haaren, OMX Europe Venture Fund (Mérieux Equity Partners and Korys), BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity, and the KU Leuven Gemma Frisius Fund. Founded in 2022, AstriVax Therapeutics is located in Leuven, Belgium. For more information, please visit astrivax.com.
Media contacts:
Hanne Callewaert, PhD, CEO of Astrivax Therapeutics
corporate@astrivax.com
Alexandra Schiettekatte
Tel: +32 476 65 04 38
alexandra@themisandiris.agency
LEUVEN, Belgium – 27 May 2025– Augustine Therapeutics NV (“Augustine” or “the Company”), a biotechnology company focused on developing new therapies for neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic diseases through the inhibition of the cytosolic Histone DeACetylase 6 (HDAC6) enzyme, today announces it has dosed the first patient in its Phase I clinical trial evaluating lead candidate AGT-100216, the first peripherally-restricted, selective HDAC6 inhibitor (HDAC6i) for the treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT).
The Phase I trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, first-in-human trial, designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and exploratory pharmacodynamics of oral AGT-100216 in healthy adult volunteers. The trial is a combined two-part study evaluating single ascending and multiple ascending doses of AGT-100216.
Gerhard Koenig, PhD, CEO of Augustine, said: “The initiation of our first clinical trial is a major milestone for Augustine. Decades of research have validated the therapeutic potential of HDAC6 as a target but efforts to drug it to date have been sub-optimal. Augustine is developing a new generation of HDAC6 inhibitors, like AGT-100216, with a unique mechanism of action shown to be selective, safe and effective in pre-clinical trials. Having recently raised EUR 78 million / USD 85 million in an oversubscribed Series A financing round, and with a strengthened management team, the Company is entering a new stage of growth. We are well positioned to progress AGT-100216 through clinical development for CMT and to also advance our pipeline of next-generation HDAC6 inhibitors in significant cardio-metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.”
Media Contacts:
Augustine Therapeutics
Gerhard Koenig, CEO
E-mail: info@augustinetx.com
ICR Healthcare
Amber Fennell, Ashley Tapp
E-mail: augustinetx@icrhealthcare.com
About Augustine Therapeutics
Augustine Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on the treatment of neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic diseases through its next-generation approach to selectively inhibit HDAC6. Augustine’s HDAC6 inhibitors have been purposefully designed to selectively inhibit HDAC6 while preserving its beneficial non-catalytic functions. Augustine’s lead program, AGT-100216, is the first selective HDAC6 inhibitor for long-term treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. With its novel non-hydroxamate, non-hydrazide producing chemotype, Augustine’s HDAC6 approach is selective, avoids the limitations of other chemotypes, and built for chronic diseases. With this novel approach, the Company will also be targeting diseases beyond CMT, including neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic diseases. Augustine Therapeutics was founded on the ground-breaking research of Prof. Ludo Van Den Bosch from the VIB-KU Leuven in Belgium. The Company raised an oversubscribed EUR 78 million / USD 85 million Series A financing round in March 2025, led by Novo Holdings and Jeito Capital and supported by Asabys Partners, Eli Lilly and Company, AdBio partners, V-Bio Ventures, PMV, VIB, Gemma Frisius Fund, the US-based Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Research Foundation and Newton Biocapital. For more information visit www.augustinetx.com
About Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a genetically heterogeneous group of hereditary peripheral neuropathies characterized by progressive distal nerve damage, primarily affecting the feet, legs, hands, and arms. The disorder damages peripheral nerves, causing muscle weakness, loss of sensation and other disabling symptoms. CMT is the most common inherited neuromuscular disorder with an estimated frequency of 1 in 2,500 people worldwide and there are currently no approved cures available.
Gent, Belgium. May 26th 2025 – V-Bio Ventures portfolio company Biodol Therapeutics, a French biotech company developing next-generation pain treatments, reports on the Phase I clinical trial for its lead candidate, BDT272. This novel compound is a Negative Allosteric Modulator (NAM) targeting the interaction between the FLT3 receptor and its ligand FL, and is being developed for the treatment of various pain disorders.
The first-in-human study is currently assessing the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of BDT272 in healthy volunteers. The trial includes single ascending dose (SAD), multiple ascending dose (MAD), and food effect (FE) cohorts. So far, BDT272 is well tolerated at plasma exposures exceeding anticipated therapeutic exposures and has good pharmacokinetic properties.
BDT272 is being developed for two oral treatment modalities:
“Since our initial investment in BIODOL in 2020 we have witnessed the management team execute flawlessly on a plan to bring a new non-opioid pain treatment to patients. Never losing sight of the ultimate goal of bringing new solutions to this significant unmet need, the team worked relentlessly to get BDT272 into the clinic. I am very excited about where to company will be going next“ says Ward Capoen, Partner at V-Bio Ventures.
“Since the inception of BIODOL, our team has been committed to translating this innovation from bench to bedside. Receiving regulatory authorization to begin this first-in-human trial marks a significant milestone after years of dedicated work,” said Fabien Granier, Chief Executive Officer of BIODOL Therapeutics. “With the Phase 1 study now underway, its completion will pave the way for proof-of-concept studies — a major source of hope for patients suffering from chronic pain conditions with few safe and effective treatment options”.
About V-Bio Ventures
V-Bio Ventures (www.v-bio.ventures) is an independent venture capital firm specialized in building and financing young, innovative life science companies. V-Bio Ventures was established in 2015 and works closely with Belgium-based VIB, one of the world’s premier life science institutes. The fund invests throughout Europe in start-up and early-stage companies with high growth potential focusing on technologies that provide transformational improvements in the biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and agricultural sectors.
About Biodol Therapeutics
Biodol Therapeutics (www.biodol.eu), founded in 2015, develops first-in-class compounds for the treatment of chronic pain (CP). Biodol Therapeutics has identified the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) FLT3 as a key player for triggering and maintaining the chronic neuropathic pain (NP) state. The company is focused on the development of allosteric inhibitors of the FLT3 receptor for the treatment of chronic pain. Biodol Therapeutics already owns the exclusive rights on a portfolio of 4 patents. The company has been supported by BPI France, Satt AxLR, Inserm Transfert, Region Occitanie, the French National Research Agency, SEMIA Incubator and Montpellier Business and Innovation Centre.
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For more information, please contact:
Ward Capoen
Novel TROP2-targeting AVC-Booster demonstrated prolonged and significantly improved tumor control in animal models, and activation of the full immune system in non-small cell lung cancer patient samples
Amsterdam, Netherlands, May 22, 2025 – Avidicure, a biotechnology company pioneering an entirely new dual agonistic, multifunctional antibody modality with broad applicability in oncology, today announced its upcoming presentation at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting being held May 30 – June 3, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois. The presentation will highlight preclinical data supporting Avidicure’s lead oncology program, AVC-S-101, a TROP2-targeting booster for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and several other cancer indications.
Avidicure’s first-in-class dual agonistic multifunctional AVC-Boosters are designed to harness the full power of the immune system, and are avidity engineered to specifically and safely target only cancer cells. AVC-S-101 has shown prolonged and significantly improved tumor control in mice models by activating expansion and enhanced cytotoxicity of immune cells. In human non-small cell lung cancer samples freshly isolated from surgically resected tumors, AVC-S-101 demonstrated strong activation of the patient’s own adaptive and innate immune cells, underscoring its potential as a monotherapy for cancer.
“After announcing our $50M seed funding last month, this presentation at ASCO 2025 marks another important milestone for Avidicure,” said Arthur Lahr, Chief Executive Officer of Avidicure. “The data presented further demonstrate the unique mechanism of action of our AVC-Booster platform and programs. We are on track with IND enabling development of our lead multifunctional antibody targeting TROP2 for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and several other cancer indications“.
Poster presentation details:
Title: Avidity engineered multifunctional antibodies for stimulation and orchestration of innate and
adaptive immune cells in tumor tissues.
Poster Board: 38
Abstract number: 8558
Session Type and Title: Poster Session – Lung Cancer/Non-Small Cell Metastatic
Session Date and Time: May 31st, 2025, 1:30 – 4:30 PM CDT
Presenters: Robert Friesen, PhD & Sophie Poznanski, PhD
Avidicure will also be attending the BIO International Convention being held June 16 – 19, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts. The company has been invited to give a corporate presentation titled “First-in class dual agonistic multifunctional antibodies that modulate the full immune system” on June 17th at 1:30 PM ET in Room 153A.
About Avidicure
Avidicure is a biotechnology company pioneering an entirely new dual agonistic, multifunctional and avidity engineered antibody modality, “AVC-Boosters,” designed to safely deliver targeted and potent immune-modulating monotherapy for cancer patients. The AVC-Booster design surpasses the best qualities of first-generation antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell engagers, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). AVC-Boosters unlock strong and orchestrated immunological responses, harnessing the full power of the innate and adaptive immune system. Avidicure is based in the Netherlands and is supported by a syndicate of top-tier investors led by EQT Life Sciences. For more information, please visit www.avidicure.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.
Contact:
Investor Relations
Christina Tartaglia
christina.tartaglia@precisionaq.com
Media Relations
Colleen Ketchum
colleen.ketchum@precisionaq.com
May 21st, 2025, BOSTON, MA and GHENT, Belgium – Orionis Biosciences, a privately held, clinical-stage life sciences company focused on the rational discovery and development of drug modalities with induced proximity mode of action, today announced a second multi-year collaboration with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, to discover small-molecule monovalent glue medicines for novel and challenging targets in oncology. Orionis announced its first collaboration with Genentech, to discover novel small-molecule medicines for challenging targets in major disease areas, including oncology and neurodegeneration, in September 2023.
Orionis’s small-molecule Allo-Glue™ platform integrates multiple proprietary technologies to advance the discovery and design of molecular glues for highly challenging disease targets. It combines advanced chemical biology tools, engineered cellular assay systems, custom-built high-throughput robotic automation and specialized artificial intelligence infrastructure, and enables the generation and analysis of hundreds of millions of in-cell protein interaction events. The AI-driven chemistry stack integrates predictive modelling, generative design, and a compound interrogation engine operating across a vast chemical space. Collectively, these capabilities accelerate the systematic discovery and simultaneous optimization for potency, selectivity, and synthetic accessibility of monovalent molecular glue modalities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Orionis will be responsible for the discovery and optimization of molecular glues, while Genentech will be responsible for subsequent later stage preclinical and clinical development, regulatory filing, and commercialization of such small molecules. Orionis will receive an upfront payment of $105 million and is eligible for potential research, development, commercial and net sales milestone payments, whose total could exceed $2 billion as well as potential tiered royalties upon sale of collaboration products.
“We are thrilled about this second collaboration with Genentech, which expands our collaborative efforts in applying induced proximity concepts to include molecular glue types beyond targeted protein degraders,” said Niko Kley, Co-Founder and CEO of Orionis Biosciences. “The expansion of our existing strategic alliance underlines a strong alignment in vision for molecular glues, and the excellent work by both teams during the past year”.
“By integrating advanced cellular sensing technologies, large-scale robotic automation and specialized artificial intelligence, at Orionis we have built a unique capability for discovery of new drug modalities to rationally reprogram protein networks,” said Riccardo Sabatini, Orionis Chief Data Scientist. “It’s an exciting time in small-molecule drug development”.
“Molecular glues, including protein degraders and non-degraders, are an exciting therapeutic modality, providing access to disease-related proteins that have proven challenging and elusive to more traditional treatment modalities,” said Boris L. Zaïtra, Head of Roche Corporate Business Development. “This new collaboration with Orionis has the potential to significantly enhance our innovation to bring transformative cancer medicines to patients”.
About Orionis Biosciences
Orionis Biosciences is a clinical-stage life sciences company pioneering the systematic discovery and rational design of therapeutic modalities that invoke molecular proximity based mechanisms of action to impact challenging and traditionally elusive disease targets. The company’s Allo-Glue™ platform enables unprecedented target-centric and target agnostic discovery and design of small molecule glues for any induced proximity applications. Its A-Kine™ biologics platform comprises an array of engineered cytokines that exhibit exquisite cell-target selectivity, and novel types of multifunctional immune cell engagers. The company is advancing a deep and diversified pipeline of oncology programs and cancer immunotherapies. It leverages its disruptive technologies across multiple disease targets and therapeutic indications in collaboration with industry partners.
To learn more, please visit www.orionisbio.com.
Orionis Media Contact:
Matt Crenson
Ten Bridge Communications
mcrenson@tenbridgecommunications.com