The Venture Codex

Participated · Equity · Jan 2023

Fox BIOSYSTEMS has developed the White FOx, a fiber‑optic SPR system that uses a microfluidics‑free dip‑in protocol for fast, user‑friendly sensing. The White FOx eliminates clogging and cross‑contamination with complex samples (lysates, whole blood, large particles) and supports interchangeable sensor probes with multiple surface chemistries. Its platform can detect antibodies, nanobodies, microvesicles, phages and large particles and enables kinetic affinity analysis, label‑free quantification and rapid ultra‑sensitive sandwich assays on unpurified samples. The company positions the product for broad use in life‑science and biopharmaceutical research labs. Fox BIOSYSTEMS says the new capital will be used to scale operations, accelerate development into new application areas and boost commercialisation. The company is based in Diepenbeek, Belgium, and describes a mission to revolutionize life‑science and pharmacological research with real‑time, label‑free analysis products. The announcement notes recent external support including an EIC grant alongside this financing.

Participated · Seed · Aug 2022

AstriVax develops an innovative plug-and-play vaccine platform that aims to produce prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines which are easy to manufacture, have reduced cold-chain requirements, and offer broad, long-lasting protection. The company is advancing a therapeutic vaccine candidate for chronic Hepatitis B and intends to move that candidate into clinical development. In December 2023 AstriVax received a €3 million VLAIO grant to accelerate clinical development of the Hepatitis B program. This non-dilutive government funding builds on an earlier VLAIO grant of €2.5 million and the €30 million seed financing the company raised in 2022. Founded in 2022 and located in the BioHub in Leuven, AstriVax says the combination of private investment and public support brings it closer to realizing the therapeutic potential of its platform. Investors backing the company include 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. AstriVax develops novel prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines using a plug-and-play platform designed to reduce cold chain requirements and provide broad, long-lasting protection. The company is led by CEO Hanne Callewaert, Ph.D., and is based in Leuven, Belgium. It plans to use the recent grant funding to advance its technology and vaccine platform. AstriVax highlights reduced cold chain needs as a key product advantage. The firm raised a €30m seed financing in 2022 and has since secured additional non-dilutive support. The recent grant builds on that earlier financing to support continued development and scaling of its platform. AstriVax is a KU Leuven spin-off developing vaccines and headquartered at the BioHub in Haasrode (Leuven), Belgium. Led by CEO Hanne Callewaert, PhD, it draws on technology from the KU Leuven Rega Institute and the work of co‑founders Professor Johan Neyts and Kai Dallmeier, PhD. The company is building a plug‑and‑play vaccine platform to produce thermostable, easy‑to‑manufacture vaccines with reduced cold‑chain requirements and broad, long‑lasting protection. AstriVax plans to use the financing to bring its first thermostable yellow fever vaccine into clinical development. Its pipeline also includes a candidate to prevent rabies and a candidate to treat chronic hepatitis B. The company will continue to develop its platform and advance these pipeline vaccine candidates with the new funding.

Participated · Series B · Feb 2021

Imcyse develops a next-generation Imotope™ platform that induces cytolytic CD4+ T cells to selectively eliminate disease-causing immune cells while sparing the rest of the immune system. The company is conducting a Phase 2 program in Type 1 Diabetes and has additional programs in Multiple Sclerosis, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders, Celiac Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Its Multiple Sclerosis candidate is expected to commence clinical trials by 2022. Imcyse is pursuing collaborations to advance its pipeline, including a license and collaboration with Pfizer on the RA program. The company intends to use recent proceeds to accelerate development of several first-in-class targeted disease‑modifying immunotherapeutics and to support expansion into the U.S. Imcyse was founded as a spin-off of the Catholic University of Leuven and is located in Liège, Belgium. Imcyse develops active targeted immunotherapies based on its Imotopes™ platform to treat and prevent severe chronic diseases caused by immune system disruptions. The platform administers specific modified peptides (Imotopes™) that generate cytolytic CD4 T‑cells to locally destroy the immune cells attacking the diseased organ. Led by Pierre Vandepapelière (CEO and CMO), the company plans to advance phase 2 development in type 1 diabetes and to initiate clinical trials in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. It also intends to expand the technology to additional indications. Recently Imcyse secured €35M in funding—€28M equity, a €4.6M grant from the Walloon region (DGO6) and a €2M bank loan from Belfius—to support these clinical programs. Founded in 2010 as a spin‑off from KU Leuven and based in Liège, Belgium, Imcyse focuses on antigen‑specific immune modulation rather than broad immunosuppression.

Participated · Series B · Jan 2021

reMYND is a clinical-stage biopharma built on a proprietary drug-discovery platform that identifies novel mechanisms, targets and first-in-class small molecules. Its most advanced program, ReS19-T, is an investigational compound for Alzheimer’s that entered the clinic in Q4 2020 and has shown restoration of synaptic plasticity in animal models. The company is also developing ReS39 for diabetes; animal studies indicate increased endogenous insulin production and durable effects on blood glucose and end-organ protection. reMYND operates a dedicated CRO that tests pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficacy in proprietary CNS animal models for a global client base. Proceeds from the recently extended Series B will fund completion of clinical proof-of-concept trials for both the Alzheimer’s and diabetes programs in 2022 and support continued clinical advancement. The company has signaled plans to engage potential pharma partners and international investors to advance programs beyond proof-of-concept.

Participated · Series B · May 2020

ViroVet is a Belgian biopharmaceutical company developing innovative vaccines and fast-acting antiviral drugs for livestock, with a technology platform originating from the Rega Institute at KU Leuven. Its proprietary platform enables faster, more cost-effective design and production of tailor-made, thermostable vaccines that remove cold-chain requirements. The company is also developing antiviral drugs targeting respiratory diseases of cattle and swine to reduce secondary bacterial infections and associated antibiotic use. Following successful trials, ViroVet has entered full development of its BVD antiviral drug. Financially, ViroVet recently completed the first closing of a Series B, raising over €6 million to further develop and launch its veterinary product portfolio. The company plans to use the proceeds to advance development and bring its products to market.