"Prime Minister participates in €10 million investment in union of livestock farmers, Animab"
In a significant stride towards innovative animal health solutions, Belgian biotech company Animab is set to submit a regulatory filing for its groundbreaking antibody Nanoprotec® to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) by the end of 2025. With a commercial market launch anticipated by the end of 2026, Nanoprotec® promises to revolutionise pig production as an alternative to antibiotics, addressing a significant gastrointestinal disease in swine.
The recent successful €10 million Series B financing round will support not only the commercial launch of Nanoprotec® in Europe but also the advancement of Animab's broader product pipeline. This funding, led by investors such as AIF, PMV, QBIC III, and others, including the laboratory group Anacura, strengthens Animab’s position to accelerate antibiotic-free livestock solutions.
The company aims to reach break-even by the end of 2027, indicating continued progress on their pipeline beyond Nanoprotec®.
Nanoprotec, given to piglets in their drinking water, targets enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC F4), a leading cause of diarrhoea in piglets. The antibody neutralises pathogens that often lead to poor growth and high mortality rates in more than 60 million animals in Europe each year. By preventing bacterial adhesion to the intestinal wall, Nanoprotec neutralises potentially harmful pathogens, offering farmers an antibiotic-free and easily scalable alternative to current medication in livestock farming.
Kenneth Wils, head of life sciences and care at PMV, stated that solutions like Nanoprotec are urgent due to the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance. A study in The Lancet last year predicted that antimicrobial resistance may lead to 22 million deaths annually by 2050, underscoring the urgency of antibiotic-free approaches like Nanoprotec.
Animab, based in Ghent, was spun out of Belgian life sciences institute VIB, Ghent University, and the Free University of Brussels in 2020. Alain Wille, CEO of Animab, stated that the funding will be used for the commercial launch of its oral antibody and the advancement of its broader product pipeline.
Following the completion of clinical trials, Nanoprotec will be sent to the European Medicines Agency for regulatory submission before the end of this year. Felix Van Camp, a business strategist at Anacura, stated that the decision to invest in Animab was based on the strength of Nanoprotec and its promising pipeline.
The European Union backs Animab under its InvestEU programme, reflecting the importance of sustainable animal health solutions. With the commercial launch of Nanoprotec planned for the end of 2026, Animab is set to introduce this innovative alternative to antibiotics in pig production while progressing other antibody solutions for animal health.
- The Series B financing round of €10 million, led by investors like AIF, PMV, QBIC III, and Anacura, will not only support the commercial launch of Animab's antibody Nanoprotec® in Europe, but also the advancement of their broader product pipeline.
- As stated by Kenneth Wils, head of life sciences and care at PMV, solutions like Nanoprotec are urgent due to the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance, as predicted by a study in The Lancet last year suggesting potential deaths of 22 million annually by 2050 due to antimicrobial resistance.
- Alain Wille, CEO of Animab, has stated that the funding will be used for the commercial launch of Nanoprotec and the advancement of the company's broader product pipeline, reflecting their commitment to the health-and-wellness industry.
- In a future where blended finance appears to be key for innovation in science, technology, and health-related fields, the European Union backs Animab under its InvestEU programme, highlighting the importance of sustainable animal health solutions for both financial inclusion and biodiversity.
- With the commercial launch of Nanoprotec planned for the end of 2026, Animab is set to introduce an antibiotic-free alternative to current medication in livelihood farming, targeting enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC F4) and addressing a significant gastrointestinal disease in swine, all while progressing other antibody solutions for animal health—demonstrating the potential of private equity investing in the ventures of tomorrow.
