Major players expanded their influence, secured innovative technology partnerships, and pushed forward clinical advancements. Here’s a roundup of the most impactful deals from the month.
Clasado Biosciences Ventures into pet nutrition with Bimuno® Pet
Clasado Biosciences made its entry into the pet nutrition market with the launch of Bimuno® Pet, an expansion of its prebiotic brand Bimuno®.
Known for developing prebiotic solutions for human health, Clasado now aims to enhance pet health by leveraging its expertise in gut microbiome research. The Bimuno® GOS (galactooligosaccharides) ingredient, which has shown benefits in immune, gastrointestinal, and cognitive health, will be branded for use in pet products.
With pet food sales projected to reach $161.6 billion by 2028, Clasado’s move into this sector underscores the growing demand for gut health solutions for pets
Rise Therapeutics secures NIH Funding for GMP manufacturing
Rise Therapeutics received backing from the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to bolster their GMP production capabilities. The funding, part of a Commercial Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program SBIR award, aims to advance Rise’s R-3750 program for ulcerative colitis. R-3750 is an immunologically-directed microbiome medication, orally administered as a capsule for the treatment of IBD.
The company plans to scale up its Phase 2 clinical manufacturing, accelerating its synthetic biology-based immunotherapy toward broader clinical applications
Ancilia Biosciences garners $3 Million ARPA-H grant for women’s health innovation
New York-based Ancilia Biosciences was awarded a $3 million grant from ARPA-H’s Sprint for Women’s Health initiative, intended to accelerate their CRISPR-based bacterial therapy for bacterial vaginosis (BV).
This funding supports Ancilia’s work to immunize beneficial bacteria against bacteriophages, enhancing therapeutic success. With an additional NIH grant for expanding to gastrointestinal applications, Ancilia is well-positioned to broaden its therapeutic portfolio
Big Idea Ventures expands food innovation portfolio with six new investments
Big Idea Ventures (BIV) announced six new investments through its Global Food Innovation Fund II, focusing on food-tech and microbiome-related advancements.
This latest cohort includes startups like BiomeMega, a producer of sustainable omega fatty acids, and Future Biome, which creates customized prebiotics. The fund highlights BIV’s commitment to driving innovations that enhance food security, sustainability, and gut health.
Finch Therapeutics announces Nasdaq delisting and SEC deregistration
Finch Therapeutics Group, a microbiome technology company, has announced its intention to delist its common stock from the Nasdaq Global Select Market, effective around October 31, 2024. Following this, Finch’s shares will continue to trade on the OTC market, although no assurances were given regarding ongoing OTC trading. The decision, approved by Finch’s Board of Directors, aims to reduce costs and administrative burdens associated with SEC filings and compliance with Nasdaq standards. The delisting also comes after multiple notifications from Nasdaq regarding Finch’s failure to meet specific listing requirements, including market value and audit committee composition. Finch plans to focus on maximizing the value of its intellectual property through licensing and collaboration partnerships.
Lesaffre acquires Ginkgo Bioworks’ Altar to enhance fermentation R&D
Lesaffre, a global leader in fermentation, has announced its acquisition of Altar, a Ginkgo Bioworks subsidiary specializing in adaptive laboratory evolution. This strategic acquisition will allow Lesaffre to expand its R&D capabilities in cultivating complex microorganisms with specific health-enhancing properties.
Altar brings cutting-edge technology for the continuous cultivation of specialized microorganisms, a capability that will now support Lesaffre’s growing innovation pipeline. The integration of Altar’s technology and team, finalized at the end of September, aligns with Lesaffre’s commitment to investing in advanced research and development to better serve customer needs.
October demonstrated strong momentum in biotech and life sciences, with companies advancing technologies across diverse domains, from women’s health to organ transplant innovation. As these strategic partnerships and investments mature, they signal a promising future for the industry’s capacity to address pressing global health challenges.
