Guangzhou Sino-Israel Bio-Industry Investment Fund 2 LLP has made a strategic investment of US$ 6m (CHF 5.17m) in Bioversys, a specialist in antibacterial products for infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria. This funding aligns with the company’s decision to expand the clinical development of its lead asset BV100 in China. The study is expected to start in 1H 2025 in preparation for a global Phase 3 registrational study.
BioVersys is a multi-asset, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying, developing and commercializing novel antibacterial products for serious life-threatening infections caused by multi-drug resistant (“MDR”) bacteria. The company’s most advanced research and development program, BV100, addresses nosocomial infections. BV100 has a novel mode of action, addressing carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) lung and blood-stream infections. CRAB is one of three highest-priority pathogens on the WHO and CDC list and is responsible for high mortality rates in intensive care units.
CRAB has also become a major issue in China, with an increase in the resistance rate from 32-41% in 2005 to over 75% in 2018, associated with high mortality rates in ICUs. Onboarding China to BioVersys’ planned global Phase 3 clinical trial first requires a small Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers to confirm the safety and pharmacokinetic profile of BV100 in the Chinese population. This Phase 1 is on track to be initiated by early 2025 and will be followed by the onboarding of Chinese patients into the planned global Phase 3 registrational study.
Guangzhou Sino-Israel Bio-Industry Investment Fund 2 LLP (GIBF) has made a strategic investment of US$ 6m (approximately CHF 5.17m) in BioVersys to support its clinical trials in China. In addition to the funding, GIBF’s extensive network is expected to facilitate and accelerate the clinical development of BV100.
Shuki Gleitman, Founding Partner and Chairman of the Guangzhou-Israel Biotechnology Fund, said: “… Resistance to antibiotics has become a leading cause of death and BV100 has started generating impressive clinical data, which we believe will make it a key asset in the treatment armamentarium of hospitals in China and around the world. We look forward to supporting BioVersys in its efforts to develop innovative anti-infective treatments in China.”
With years of life sciences expertise, private equity investment experience, local knowledge based on over a decade of activity in China, and numerous foreign companies already established in China, GIBF serves as an invaluable strategic investor and partner in China with a proven ability and track record of supporting multi-center clinical trials in top-tier Chinese hospitals, providing the resources and networks for securing successful NMPA submissions, commercializing products and developing manufacturing capacity to satisfy both local and global demand.
(Press release/RAN)
The new Swiss Venture Capital Report was published on 26 January. It analyses 304 financing rounds closed in 2020 and includes further article such as an interview with Michael Hengartner, President of the ETH Board, and a list of Swiss "soonicorns". 
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