Leyden Laboratories, based in Leiden, Netherlands, has made significant strides in the biotech landscape, securing €30M in fresh equity financing. This investment from the European Innovation Council Fund and Invest-NL will support the company’s clinical-stage research on nasal sprays aimed at combating respiratory viruses. In recent years, global health challenges have highlighted the importance of preparedness against viruses, spurring interest and investment in innovative health solutions. Leyden Labs is positioned as a leader in developing mucosal-based preventive treatments, reflecting a shift in focus from traditional systemic vaccines to localized entry-point targeting.
Leyden Labs, founded in 2020, has consistently attracted attention with its unique approach to tackling influenza. Earlier reports highlighted the company’s ambitious goals for its pan-influenza nasal spray, branded as PanFlu. Previously, Leyden Labs garnered financial backing from various investors, including a substantial $70M Series B funding round. With the addition of venture debt from the European Investment Bank earlier this year, their cumulative fundraising now supports broader aspirations in viral prevention and mucosal immunology. These financial endorsements emphasize confidence in their novel strategy.
Why focus on nasal sprays?
Employing nasal sprays to target viruses at the respiratory tract aligns with Leyden Labs’ innovative strategy. This approach restricts viral entry at a critical point, potentially offering a more direct preventive measure than traditional vaccines. By leveraging a human monoclonal antibody, CR9114, the company aims to deliver protection against various influenza strains, underpinning its product’s versatility.
What sets Leyden Labs apart?
Leyden Labs distinguishes itself by shifting the focus from triggering systemic immune responses to concentrating on respiratory entry points. Such a strategy potentially insulates against prevalent mutations in flu viruses, enhancing the protective coverage of their product. This preventative measure could have implications not just for seasonal flu, but also offer utility during potential pandemic situations.
The support from institutional investors like the EIC highlights their belief in Leyden Labs’ potential.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the critical importance of Europe’s preparedness for future health crises,” said Svetoslava Georgieva, Chair of the EIC Fund Board. “We are backing pioneering science and innovative approaches to combat respiratory viruses.”
Such financial infusion is expected to drive the company’s clinical and platform development further, helping them establish a matured approach to viral prevention.
Invest-NL, known for promoting sustainable innovation, has expressed its commitment to advancing Leyden Labs’ purposes.
“As the Dutch national promotional institution, we are proud to support Leyden Labs in its mission to stop respiratory viruses at the gate,” mentioned Ineke Cazander, investment principal at Invest-NL.
This aligns with their goal of reinforcing health defenses through innovative means, directly impacting public health measures.
Overall, the focus on nasal spray technology underscores a pivotal evolution in how viral outbreaks are approached. Instead of comprehensive vaccination campaigns that may lag behind mutations, direct delivery of antibodies promises a more timely and potentially effective response. Leyden Labs, with its recent funding, appears poised to advance this methodology, indicating a possible shift in preventive healthcare strategies.
