In a bid to address the persistent threat of respiratory viruses, Amsterdam-based Leyden Labs announced a successful funding round of $70 million (€68 million). The company, which focuses on developing advanced solutions for viral respiratory infections, plans to use the funds to further its research and broaden the scope of its innovative pipeline. This financing underscores growing investor interest in preventing viral outbreaks through novel technologies, with Leyden Labs striving to tackle influenza and coronaviruses at their point of entry.
What does the funding enable?
The funding round was co-led by ClavystBio and Polaris Partners, supported by investors including Qiming Venture Partners, GV (formerly Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Ventures), and Casdin Capital, who previously led funding efforts. Leyden Labs intends to allocate the funds to advance its Mucosal Protection Platform, launch human trials for its PanFlu nasal spray, and explore additional projects addressing broad viral protection. PanFlu, which contains the monoclonal antibody CR9114, is engineered to prevent influenza by targeting common vulnerabilities in viral families.
What is Leyden Labs’ unique approach?
Leyden Labs is pioneering a strategy that focuses on delivering antibody-based treatments directly to the nasal mucosa, where respiratory viruses typically enter the body. The intranasal product candidates are designed for self-administration, allowing individuals to safeguard themselves quickly against infection and potential transmission. This approach seeks to offer comprehensive protection against both current and emerging respiratory threats, aiming to provide a versatile alternative to traditional vaccines.
In similar announcements last year, the company emphasized its goal of providing “universal protection” against viral outbreaks, echoing its current focus on addressing urgent health needs. Additionally, its emphasis on mucosal immunity as a preventive strategy aligns with broader industry trends toward more localized and accessible antiviral treatments.
Leyden Labs has also acquired CoV Biotechnology Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based biotech firm led by Linfa Wang of Duke-NUS Medical School. This acquisition expands Leyden Labs’ pandemic preparedness initiatives and strengthens its collaborations in Asia, further enhancing its research capabilities in the fight against respiratory viruses.
Koenraad Wiedhaup, Leyden Labs’ CEO, stated,
“This strong support from investors validates our approach to providing broad, universal protection against current and future viral outbreaks.”
He added,
“Delivering antibody-based formulations directly to the nasal mucosa allows us to eliminate the threat at the very gate through which viruses enter.”
ClavystBio, a life sciences investor established by Temasek, played a pivotal role in the funding round. According to Khoo Shih, CEO of ClavystBio,
“We are pleased to partner with Leyden Labs to advance the mission of protecting the world from the burden of known and new respiratory viruses.”
Leyden Labs’ approach reflects ongoing interest in simplifying and expediting access to antiviral interventions. While vaccines have historically formed the backbone of viral prevention, recent developments suggest a growing recognition of the need for complementary technologies that address viral infections at their initial point of attack.
The company’s emphasis on self-administrable nasal sprays could potentially shift how individuals manage personal protection during outbreaks. However, the success of this strategy will likely depend on the outcomes of clinical trials and the ability to scale production effectively. The acquisition of CoV Biotechnology further positions Leyden Labs to explore innovative partnerships and technologies that may accelerate progress in this area.
