The Groningen-based biotech startup Bioprex Medical has secured a new round of funding for the further development of their patented anti-bacterial coating technology. In the coming year, the company will focus on preclinical evaluation of the coating and expanding collaborations with manufacturers of medical devices and implants. The funding round was led by the Northern Netherlands investment fund Pharma Connect Capital and the NOM.
Bioprex Medical was founded in 2022 as a spin-off from the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials at the University of Groningen, based on the research of Chief Technology Officer Professor Dr. Ton Loontjens. “Our coating uses quaternary ammonium compounds that kill bacteria when they attempt to attach to the surface” says Bioprex Chief Operating Officer Jurr van Ramshorst.
Major problem
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, more than 4 million patients in Europe contract bacterial infections each year, the majority of which are caused by medical devices and implants. “In Europe alone, about 90,000 people die annually from these infections, and the treatment costs 7 billion euro every year” says Van Ramshorst. “It's a major problem that will only grow in the future. With our coating we tackle the problem at the source.”
“The societal value of this coating is enormous”, says Tristan Dikkers, Investment Manager at NOM. “Especially when you consider that antibiotics are becoming less and less effective. NOM, together with Triade and RUG Ventures , was also involved in the first funding round, enabling Bioprex to develop a proof-of-concept. The first preclinical results were promising, so saw plenty of potential to join this round as well.”
The North Netherlands investment fund Pharma Connect Capital also participated in the second round of funding. “Bioprex has a promising concept with this antibacterial coating, so we are happy to support the company in taking the next step,” says Jan Hendriks, Fund Manager of Pharma Connect Capital. “Additionally, I see a strong team behind this concept, which gives us a lot of confidence.”
Further testing and collaboration
With the funding, Bioprex Medical will continue preclinical evaluations of the coating over the next year. “The first results were very promising,” says Van Ramshorst. “Next, we will focus on the long-term efficacy and safety”. The company is developing the coating as a platform technology applicable to various types of medical devices and implants. “Our primary focus is on applying the coating to orthopedic pins and screws used for bone fracture fixation. Eventually, we will expand its use to other medical devices such as catheters and permanent implants.” This year, Bioprex will expand its partnerships with medical device manufacturers.
