European funding to tackle bacterial infections and gut issues

BioVersys continues to make progress in its clinical endeavour to develop novel antibacterial products for serious life-threatening infections caused by multi-drug resistant ("MDR") bacteria. The company has joined the EU-funded RespiriNTM programme, an 8-year journey exploring multiple approaches to determine new targets for anti-mycobacterial compounds, define and optimize novel inhibitors and move these through the process of hit-to-lead up until the First-in-Human trials. BioVersys’ NTM program is derived from the company’s proprietary Ansamycin Chemistry platform. The company’s research team is developing a novel and highly potent broad-spectrum anti-NTM ansamycin, suitable for oral or inhalation therapy, that is devoid of cross-resistance with other therapeutic classes.

BioVersys’ in-house non-tubercular mycobacteria (NTM) project will have access to up to approximately €2 million in non-dilutive funding from the original IMI2 RespiriNTM grant of approximately €5.7 million, and to key capabilities of established consortium partners to develop novel candidates to address NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD), a significant health concern affecting over 86,000 people in the United States. Due to the lack of effective treatment options, current cure rates for NTM-PD are as low as 30-50%.

Mave Health expands understanding of the gut
With its saliva-based testing approach, Maven Health offers an innovative solution for assessing and tracking metabolic health profiles. Earlier this month, the Zurich-based startup joined the public-private partnership project 'Oh My Gut', a multi-year human study project aiming to create innovative dietary solutions and personalized self-monitoring strategies to manage gut health, its impacts on impacts our metabolism, mental health and stress response.

Supported by various partners, including research institutions, companies and innovation programs, the startup seeks to enhance its understanding of gut health, metabolism, mental health and stress response, especially how this changes over time due to nutritional interventions. These insights will support the development of Maven’s product with greater interpretability of results and improved nutritional recommendations. The collaboration is co-funded by the PPP Allowance made available by Health~Holland, Top Sector Life Sciences & Health.

(Press release/RAN)