SpyBiotech is an Oxford, United Kingdom–based biotechnology company that has developed a novel vaccine platform using SpyCatcher/SpyTag protein “superglue” to display antigens on virus‑like particles (VLPs). The platform is being applied to infectious diseases, cancer and chronic diseases, and was clinically validated when the Serum Institute of India (SII) began trials in September 2020 of a COVID‑19 RBD vaccine developed under an exclusive global license. SpyBiotech’s internal lead candidate targets human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and the company plans to begin a Phase I clinical study in early 2022. The company raised $32.5m in Series A equity financing to advance clinical development and related activities. Led by Professor Sumi Biswas (CEO and co‑founder), SpyBiotech has strengthened its board with the appointments of Lutz B. Giebel as Chairman and Andre Crawford‑Brunt of Braavos Investment Advisers. The company intends to deploy the Series A proceeds to support the HCMV program and broader platform advancement. SpyBiotech is a spinout from Oxford University commercializing a bonding system derived from Streptococcus pyogenes components (SpyTag and SpyCatcher) discovered at the Jenner Institute. Its core product is a 'superglue' that covalently links antigens to viral particles or virus-like particles (VLPs) to enable more precise and robust vaccine assembly. The company plans to use its seed funding to trial this bonding technology and initially bond antigens to VLPs rather than live pathogens. Leadership includes co-founder Sumi Biswas, an assistant professor at Oxford's Jenner Institute, and co-founders Mark Howarth, Simon Draper, and Jing Jin, who bring academic and vaccine-development experience. Future paths mentioned in the article include licensing the technology to other vaccine makers or SpyBiotech developing its own vaccines, both of which would require additional funding. No revenue or user metrics were disclosed in the article.

Total raised

$38M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Feb 2021