Vaxdyn Raises €11M Series A for Superbug Vaccine

Spanish biotech firm Vaxdyn has successfully closed a €11 million Series A funding round, signaling a significant advancement in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The investment, led by Biovance Capital with substantial contributions from Arcano Partners and the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, will propel the company's lead vaccine candidate, K-VAX, into human clinical trials.

The escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) underscores the critical importance of Vaxdyn's mission. Pathogens like Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae, targeted by K-VAX, are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths annually across Europe and the US alone. Projections indicate that without effective interventions, AMR could claim 10 million lives per year by 2050, surpassing cancer as a leading cause of mortality. This funding injects vital capital into developing a crucial countermeasure.

Biovance Capital spearheaded the round with an investment of €4 million, demonstrating strong conviction in Vaxdyn's technology. Arcano Partners, through its specialized public funds platform, contributed €3.6 million. This fund, Impacto Andalucía Innovación y Desarrollo SICC, SAU, is designed to deploy capital for R&D, innovation, and digitalization projects within the Andalusia region, channeling up to €15 million in various forms of capital. The participation of the EIC Fund further validates the European Union's commitment to fostering innovative solutions for pressing health challenges.

The newly secured capital will primarily fund the initiation of a Phase 1 human clinical trial for K-VAX. This candidate vaccine is designed to offer protection against key multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, addressing critical infections such as severe pneumonia and bloodstream infections. Beyond this Series A, Vaxdyn is also set to receive additional non-dilutive support from the EIC Accelerator and CARB-X, a global initiative focused on advancing early-stage antibacterial development, highlighting a robust ecosystem of support for the company.

Ricardo Perdigão Henriques, Managing Partner at Biovance Capital, expressed enthusiasm for Vaxdyn's progress, noting this as their third investment from the I Fund and second in Southern Europe. He emphasized the potential of K-VAX to be a life-saving vaccine. Similarly, André Albergaria, PhD, Director at Biovance Capital, reiterated the firm's long-standing relationship with Vaxdyn, dating back to 2021, and highlighted the vaccine's potential to combat deadly, drug-resistant bacterial strains.

Cristina Reina, General Manager of Real Estate and Public Funds at Arcano Partners, underscored the firm's dedication to supporting innovative ventures with tangible impact. The investment aligns with the strategic objectives of the Junta de Andalucía, aiming to ensure promising regional projects secure necessary resources. This funding round not only bolsters Vaxdyn's clinical development pipeline but also reinforces the growing strength of Spain's biotechnology sector and the increasing flow of capital into solutions addressing critical global health crises.