News & Updates
BioTryp Therapeutics Raises Pre-Seed Funding to advance its novel biofilm-inhibiting technology
August 15, 2024
Cambridge, UK: BioTryp Therapeutics, an award-winning drug discovery spin-out from the University of Cambridge, has raised £300k in pre-seed funding to advance the development of its novel anti-biofilm compounds. Following BioTryp’s participation in the inaugural Founders at the University of Cambridge Accelerator, the funding round comprised investment from QUBIS Innovation Fund, as well as Cambridge Enterprise Ventures and Parkwalk Advisors.
BioTryp Therapeutics, launched early in 2024, is founded on more than eight years of research at the University of Cambridge. Its technology aims to tackle the global problem of biofilm-associated infections. 60-80% of bacterial infections manifest as biofilms, whose complex structure protects the constituent bacteria from both antibiotics and the host immune system, making infections difficult to treat. Biofilms often act as a reservoir of pathogenic bacteria and hence are drivers of recurrent infections. This is a particular challenge in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which affect 400 million people annually across the globe, with a high rate of recurrence. Additionally, UTI biofilms may lead to bacteraemia when bacteria enter the bloodstream, with around 20-30% of cases proving fatal. BioTryp’s compounds are designed as an add-on to traditional antibiotics, to accelerate infection clearance and prevent recurrence by inhibiting the formation of these recalcitrant biofilms. BioTryp scientists have already demonstrated proof-of-concept in the inhibition of E. coli biofilms, a pathogen responsible for up to 80% of UTIs.
BioTryp Therapeutics’ founding team, including (from left to right), Dr David Summers (Scientific Director), Dr Ashraf Zarkan (CEO), and Dr Jehangir Cama (Commercial Director).
This funding marks an important milestone for the company and will be used to progress BioTryp’s medicinal chemistry programme. It will facilitate essential chemistry and testing to identify the most promising compounds to be taken further into pre-clinical development. On the commercial side, the funding will allow engagement with pharma, regulators and development bodies to ensure successful progress throughout pre-clinical and clinical trials.
Ash Zarkan, CEO, said, “This is a crucial milestone for BioTryp and we are thrilled to have the support of QUBIS Innovation Fund, Parkwalk Advisors and Cambridge Enterprise Ventures on this journey. This investment builds on over a million Pounds in grant funding that supported the background research at the University of Cambridge, and we are excited to have the chance to further develop our compounds to tackle this major unmet clinical need.”
Amanda Wooding, Deputy Head of Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, said “Congratulations to BioTryp for securing this investment during their participation in the Start 1.0 cohort of Founders at the University of Cambridge. It’s fantastic to be part of their journey. Enabling companies like BioTryp to address significant unmet needs for the benefit of society is at the core of Cambridge Enterprise Ventures activities, providing patient capital from the University of Cambridge balance sheet to unlock syndicated investments.”
Anne Dobrée, Investment Director, Parkwalk Advisors, said, "We're delighted to support BioTryp in their mission to combat biofilm-associated infections. Their innovative technology, developed at the University of Cambridge, shows great promise in addressing a critical global health challenge. This funding will accelerate BioTryp's medicinal chemistry programme, bringing us closer to a potential breakthrough in treating persistent bacterial infections, particularly UTIs. We're excited to be part of BioTryp's journey as they work towards transforming infection treatment and improving patient outcomes worldwide."
Oisin Lappin, from the QUBIS Innovation Fund, said “We are excited to support the BioTryp team at this stage. They are developing a technology with the potential to make a meaningful impact, and we congratulate Ash and the team for their progress to date.”
BioTryp is a member of Empirical Venture Studio, and is advised by Drs Ben Miles and Johnathan Matlock. The company also won the Trinity Bradfield Hellings Prize earlier this year, and recently secured an Innovate UK Business Growth grant to support a collaborative project with the UK’s Medicines Discovery Catapult.
About BioTryp Therapeutics
BioTryp Therapeutics is a biotech spin-out company developing novel anti-biofilm drugs to address recalcitrant and recurrent bacterial infections. Our mission is to change the paradigm of managing and treating bacterial infections, supporting global efforts to combat the increasing ineffectiveness of traditional antibiotic therapy. Learn more about BioTryp here.
About Sapphire Capital Partners LLP (Manager of the QUBIS Innovation Fund)
Sapphire is a multi-award-winning investment management firm authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Sapphire manages over 50+ funds across a range of industries and sectors including deep tech, agri-tech and more. Learn more about Sapphire here
About Cambridge Enterprise Ventures and Founders at the University of Cambridge
Cambridge Enterprise Ventures is the investment arm of the University of Cambridge. It supports a diverse range of entrepreneurs and founders by investing University of Cambridge capital into high potential, high impact early-stage businesses. Learn more about Cambridge Enterprise Ventures here.
Founders at the University of Cambridge is a new strategic initiative, delivered by Cambridge Enterprise, building on University and commercialisation expertise to accelerate the real-world translation of pioneering research. Learn more about this programme here.
About Parkwalk Advisors
Parkwalk is a leading technology investor, and is the UK’s most active investor in university spin-outs. Learn more about Parkwalk here.
For press enquiries, please contact Dr Ashraf Zarkan at ash@biotryp.com
July 18, 2024
Innovate UK Business Growth grant
BioTryp is thankful to Innovate UK Business Growth (formerly known as Innovate UK Edge) for awarding us a grant to support a collaborative project with the Medicines Discovery Catapult. The grant, administered by RTC North Limited, will accelerate the development of our UTIs therapy.
Founders at the University of Cambridge Start Accelerator Programme
May 23, 2024
BioTryp is delighted to have been one of 11 companies selected for the first cohort of the Founders at the University of Cambridge Start Accelerator programme (2024).
The programme provided us with a package of support, including funding from the University of Cambridge Venture Fund and investor partner Parkwalk Advisors, mentoring and networking, as well as free office space at the IdeaSpace Cambridge and priority access to lab space. The programme was concluded with a highly-anticipated Demo Day that took place in London on the 23rd May 2024, and was attended by over 300 investors. You can watch the pitch of our CEO Dr. Ashraf Zarkan below
Hellings Prize, Trinity Bradfield Prize
BioTryp is thrilled to have won the Hellings Prize at the 2024 Trinity Bradfield Prize. The prize is a great recognition of BioTryp’s science and commercial potential. The prize was presented to our CEO Dr. Ashraf Zarkan by the Master of Trinity College Cambridge and the Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist, Sir Greg Winter.
January 24, 2024
Hear from our CEO talking to Cambridge Tech Podcast during the Trinity Bradfield Prize event
Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst's Microbials Accelerator
July 24, 2023
BioTryp is glad to have taken part in the Biomedical Catalyst's 'Microbials Accelerator' for companies developing microbiome, biofilms, & phage-based interventions.
Co-led by Bionow and LYVA Labs and funded by Innovate UK, the Microbials Accelerator provided us with a package of support to speedup the development of our novel therapy for urinary tract infections.
Biofilms ICURe Accelerator Programme
March 30, 2023
BioTryp is thrilled to have been one of six companies selected for the Biofilms ICURe Accelerator programme. Funded by Innovate UK and the National Biofilms Innovation Centre and delivered by SETsquared partnership, the Biofilms Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) programme included two phases over a period of nine months. The initial phase, ICURe Explore, provided the BioTryp team with funding and support to explore and validate the potential market of our innovation, while the second phase, ICURe Exploit, provided further funding and support to kick start the commercial development and fundraising process.
BioTryp is grateful for the extensive support from ICURe, Innovate UK, National Biofilms Innovation Centre, and SETsquared Partnership.
Enterprise TECH, Cambridge Judge Business School
March 15, 2023
BioTryp has enjoyed taken part as an “innovator company” in the EnterpriseTECH Cohort 11 entrepreneurial programme at the Cambridge Judge Business School.
Working with a talented team of four PhD students mentored by an experienced commercial mentor, it was great to see further commercial validation of the market potential of our innovative antibiofilm technology.
Partnership with Spin Up Ventures
(now integrated into the Empirical Ventures studio)
November 21, 2022
BioTryp is delighted to partner with Spin Up Ventures (now integrated into the Empirical Ventures studio) to support the commercial development of BioTryp, including investment strategy, business development and finance options.
This partnership will surround the BioTryp team with experienced network and facilitate integrating BioTryp into the start-up supporting community, including professional services, investor communities, and other deep-technology businesses.
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