Copenhagen-based Bactolife raises €30M to bring exclusive ‘Binding Proteins’ to market to improve gut health

Copenhagen-based bio-industrial firm Bactolife announced that it has raised over €30M in a Series A round of funding. The round was led by ATHOS, with participation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and existing investor Novo Holdings. 

Bactolife says the raised funds will empower the company to bring its exclusive ‘Binding Proteins’ to market. These proteins have been specifically developed to enhance the gut microbiome of both humans and animals, with the ultimate goal of reducing gastrointestinal infections and combating the problem of antimicrobial resistance.

Sebastian Søderberg, CEO of Bactolife says, “We are very pleased and humbled by the continued confidence that investors have shown us, especially in times of geopolitical uncertainty and market turmoil. The funding allows us to increase our investments in our project pipeline, technology platform, organisation and upscaling capabilities. Further, it will enable Bactolife to accelerate our partnering efforts with world-leading companies and commercialise our first product concepts for humans and animals.” 

ATHOS Investment Manager Julian Zachmann says that infectious diseases and the rising problem of antimicrobial resistance pose significant threats to global health and development. “We are committed to addressing this challenge and believe in Bactolife’s targeted solutions,” he says. 

“The successful Series A is another validation of Bactolife’s impressive achievements and opportunity for the future,” Aleks Engel, a Partner at Novo Holdings says. 

He praises Bactolife as an excellent representation of the robust Danish biotech ecosystem, with its technology originating from a Danish University and gaining support from pioneering biotech companies and talents in Denmark. 

Engel adds that this positive outlook extends beyond Bactolife, reflecting the promising prospects for the Danish biotech sector. 

“I am very pleased that the international investors share our enthusiasm for finding solutions to the global AMR crisis,” he says. “Combatting antimicrobial resistance requires all hands on deck.” 

Bactolife’s innovative ingredients target diverse segments

Bactolife, a company with around 40 employees, is dedicated to developing and marketing ingredients targeting diverse segments such as Mothers & Children, the Elderly, Immunodeficient people, Travelers & Deployed personnel, and Animal Health.

In 2016, during a family vacation, Mads Laustsen and his son, Andreas Laustsen-Kiel, had a realisation that would shape their future endeavours. Andreas had been researching toxin neutralisation from snake bites, while Mads had extensive experience in the industrial biomanufacturing of enzymes and therapeutic proteins. 

It became evident to them that combining Andreas’ ideas and research with Mads’ expertise could lead to a novel and affordable solution for supporting the body against gut infections.

Mads and Andreas invited their trusted associates, Per Falholt, David Kauffman and Sandra Wingaard Thrane, to join their entrepreneurial endeavour. 

Driven by a common goal, they established Bactolife in 2017. The company’s primary focus was the development of binding proteins that could play a vital role in preserving the health of microbiomes in humans and animals.

The company also has showcased proof of concept for its technology by testing Ablacto+, an advanced animal health product. This solution has demonstrated its ability to enhance gut stability and alleviate the severity of post-weaning diarrhoea in over 6,000 piglets.