Dutch biotech River BioMedics raises €2M to discover, develop novel cardiac drugs

Enschede-based River BioMedics, a Dutch biotech company focused on cardiac drug discovery using 3D human cardiac models, announced that it has secured €2M in a seed round of funding.

The Dutch startup aims to progress its pipeline of novel genetically validated cardiovascular disease programmes.

The round saw investment from Libertatis Ergo Holding, an independent subsidiary of Leiden University, along with existing investors FIRST fund, managed by BioGeneration Ventures (BGV), KIKK Capital and Oost NL.

Paving the way to the future of cardiac drug discovery

Founded in 2020 by Marcelo Ribeiro, Lisanne Blauw and Professor Robert Passier, River BioMedics is a spin-out from the University of Twente with research associated with LUMC.

It is a cardiovascular drug discovery firm dedicated to developing life-changing therapies for cardiovascular illness by combining in-house bio-engineering technology with heart biology and drug development capabilities.

River BioMedics claims to be developing a portfolio of disease-modifying small molecule therapeutics that target genetically verified cardiac targets with an initial emphasis on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), an area of high unmet medical need.

Aiming to improve preclinical to clinical effectiveness translation, the company’s 3D cardiac strip technology offers in-vitro human PoC early in the discovery phase and is applicable to all heart conditions.

Capital utilisation

River BioMedics says it will utilise the funds to advance compound development for its flagship project, which is focused on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and to continue efforts on its earlier-stage pipeline.

Dr Nicky Cooper, CEO of River BioMedics, says, “I am delighted to close this funding round which reflects the confidence of our existing investors along with the commitment of Liberatis Ergo Holdings which we welcome greatly.”

“This commitment further validates the efforts River BioMedics has made since the company was founded, and the exciting potential of the novel cardiac targets we are developing and our integrated in-vitro human cardiac models to maximise the preclinical to clinical efficacy translation of our portfolio.”

“Moreover, it will allow our lead programme to progress further towards lead selection, with the aim to address a significant unmet medical need in heart failure patients,” adds Dr Cooper. 

In January, the company also received a grant from the EIC to bring their hiPSC-3D cardiac strips into a high throughput setting and an EIC Pathfinder grant to develop a pumping human Mini-heart (the latter as part of a consortium).

Brief about the investors

Libertatis Ergo Holding is a seed investor in the life science and health sector. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leiden University, and supports and invests in companies related to Leiden University’s activities.

Fonds InvesteringsRijpe STarters (FIRST) is a pre-seed fund that backs scientists in The Netherlands active in the fields of regenerative medicine and cardiovascular diseases. It is founded by the Dutch Cardiovascular Alliance (DCVA) and Regenerative Medicine Crossing Borders (RegMed XB) with the support of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. 

KIKK Capital backs young startups that have developed and recently launched a new product, process or service. It also offers knowledge, skills and network connections.

Oost NL (East Netherlands Development Agency) focuses its activities and projects on strengthening and stimulating the economy of the provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel, the Netherlands. The firm supports starting and growth-phase SMEs.