Participated · Series C · Jul 2019

Biotalys develops a new generation of protein-based biocontrol solutions built on a proprietary technology platform, aiming to combine chemical-like performance with the safety profile of biologicals. The company has a broad pipeline addressing crop pests and diseases across the value chain, and its lead biofungicide, BioFun-1, has shown consistent high efficacy in global fruit and vegetable trials. Biotalys was on track in 2020 to submit BioFun-1 registration dossiers later that year and expected a U.S. launch in 2022 followed by global introductions. The firm is advancing a protein-based bio-bactericide program targeting bacterial diseases including cankers, blight and spots. Financially, Biotalys has raised €61 million ($66m USD) to date from specialist international investors and supplements that financing with non-dilutive research grants. The company was founded in 2013 as a VIB spin-off and is based in Ghent, Belgium. Biotalys is developing a new generation of protein-based biocontrols intended to provide high-performance crop protection with the safety profile of biologicals. Its technology platform has produced a pipeline of products with novel modes of action addressing pests and diseases across the value chain, from soil to plate. The company positions its protein-based solutions for both pre- and post-harvest applications, aiming to combine chemical-like consistency with biological safety. Proceeds from the Series C will fund development, regulatory registration and commercial-scale production of its lead biofungicide and further expansion of the discovery platform. Biotalys plans to launch its first biofungicide in 2022 in the U.S. fruit and vegetables market and to accelerate development of its broader pipeline. Founded in 2013 as a spin-off from VIB, the company is based in Ghent, Belgium and had raised €61 million to date. AgroSavfe is developing a new generation of protein-based biocontrols based on its proprietary AGROBODY™ Foundry Platform to protect seeds, crops and food from farm to fork. Its product candidates include biofungicide and bioinsecticide candidates that the company says combine chemical-like performance with the clean safety profile of biologicals and leave no residues. The company reports more than 100 field trials since 2017, with its most advanced biofungicide demonstrating strong, competitive performance versus synthetic chemicals. Planned uses include pre- and post-harvest applications to reduce food loss and improve food quality along the value chain. The company intends to use recent funding to support development, registration and commercial-scale production of its biofungicide and bioinsecticide products and to strengthen its organization. AgroSavfe scheduled the launch of its first biofungicide for 2022 in the U.S. fruit and vegetables market, followed by launches in Europe and other regions. AgroSavfe is a Ghent, Belgium-based agro-biotech spin-off from VIB that develops Agrobodies, small proteins designed and formulated to specifically bind to essential target molecules of crop pests and diseases. The company is led by Managing Director Marnix Peferoen. Agrobodies are positioned as a new generation of biopesticides and are the firm's core product. AgroSavfe extended its Series B financing round to €11m. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate development of its Agrobodies and to roll out the international registration process. Earlier investors include Agri Investment Fund, Biovest, Gimv, Globachem, Madeli Participaties, PMV, Qbic and VIB, with Sofinnova Partners joining the extension. AgroSavfe is a Gent, Belgium-based green biotech spin-off of the VIB department of the Free University of Brussels. The company develops innovative formulations of crop protection products using its proprietary Agrobody technology. It will focus on research and development of those formulations. Led by CEO Marnix Peferoen, AgroSavfe is based in the VIB Bio-incubator in the Ghent technology park and employs nine people. The company raised €5m in funding to support its activities. The articles do not disclose revenue, prior rounds, or whether the funding was equity or debt.

Participated · Series C · Nov 2011

Biocartis develops Idylla, a miniaturized, fully automated molecular system that integrates all molecular diagnostics steps and delivers results in 35–120 minutes; the system and its first assay have CE‑IVD marking. The company plans to use the new capital to fund the commercial roll-out of Idylla in Europe later this year and to expand commercial reach beyond Europe next year. Proceeds will also support and accelerate development of a broad assay menu across oncology, infectious diseases and other applications. With the EUR 64.5 million equity round, total capital invested in Biocartis to date amounts to EUR 240 million (approx. USD 316 million). Biocartis has separated its Evalution business unit and combined it with Pronota to form MyCartis, which will continue biomarker panel development in Ghent and maintain activities in Switzerland. The Evalution platform (previously DMAT) is positioned as a molecular biomarker multiplexing technology for clinical and pharmaceutical applications. Biocartis is developing the Idylla molecular diagnostics platform and a range of assays with an initial focus on oncology. It completed a EUR 30 million Series E equity fundraising to validate Idylla and its first assay and to continue assay development. The round was entirely subscribed by existing shareholders such as RMM (Rudi Mariën), Debiopharm Diagnostics SA, PMV Tina Fund, Valiance, Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation, Philips, the Wellcome Trust, Petercam, the family offices of Dr. Paul Janssen, Luc Verelst, Rudi Pauwels, and some smaller shareholders including employees. Biocartis said the funding positions it to unroll an ambitious commercialization plan in 2014 and expects to launch the Idylla platform and a BRAF cancer assay in the second half of 2014. Idylla is described as a compact, scalable platform that allows assays to be performed anywhere without a specialist laboratory or trained technicians, rapidly detecting biomarkers with higher sensitivity than standard diagnostic assays and sequencing. Management signalled a goal of becoming a fully integrated global diagnostics company and will use the proceeds to advance validation, assay development, and commercial preparation. Biocartis develops clinically relevant molecular diagnostic tests and easy-to-use, fully automated platforms with a primary focus on oncology. The company will use a 1.9M subsidy from the Belgian Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT) to accelerate a two-year project to develop new cancer assays. The planned tests will detect known, validated oncogenes and focus on skin, colon and lung cancers to enable more targeted treatment. Biocartis will also create assays that permit simultaneous detection of dozens of parameters for its recently launched multiplex detection platform aimed at the research market. Founded in 2007 and based at EPFL’s Innovation Square in Lausanne, the company has fully owned subsidiaries in Mechelen (Belgium) and Eindhoven (Netherlands). Biocartis employs over 150 people and has raised close to EUR 150 million in equity to date. Biocartis is a Lausanne, Switzerland-based molecular diagnostics company that develops and commercializes diagnostic platforms and clinically relevant oncology assays. Its core product effort includes the Apollo platform, which the company intends to validate, register and launch. The company plans to continue developing its oncology tests and to grow its commercial presence. Biocartis completed a €34.5m (approximately $45m, CHF 42m) Series D equity funding to support those efforts. As part of the financing, Roald Borré, representing the lead investor PMV, will join Biocartis’ board. The company is led by CEO Greg Parekh and chairman and founder Rudi Pauwels. Biocartis develops and commercializes compact molecular diagnostic systems and completed a €71m (US$100m) Series C equity financing. The company intends to use the funds to commercialize its first product and other diagnostic applications. Biocartis will launch its first system, Apollo, in 2013; Apollo was developed in close collaboration with Philips Corporate Technologies to enable personalized medicine and individual diagnoses. Apollo is a compact system that allows multiple assays to be performed anywhere, rapidly and without the need for a specialist laboratory environment or trained technicians. Founded in 2007 and based in Lausanne, Switzerland, Biocartis also operates a fully owned Belgian subsidiary in Mechelen and a Dutch subsidiary at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. Following the fundraise, the company plans to enlarge its Board and adjust its membership.