Sofinnova Partners leidt investering van 4 miljoen euro in Micropep Technologies
PARIJS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sofinnova Partners, een toonaangevende Europese durfinvesteerder in de levenswetenschappelijke sector, maakt bekend dat Micropep Technologies 4 miljoen euro heeft opgehaald. Sofinnova Partners wordt de grootste aandeelhouder in het biotechbedrijf, dat zich richt op biologische alternatieven voor landbouwchemicaliën. Andere investeerders zijn IRDInov en Toulouse Tech Transfer. Sofinnova Partners investeert met zijn recentelijk gesloten fonds Sofinnova IB I van 125 miljoen euro, dat is opgericht om de duurzame transitie van de chemische industrie te financieren. Sofinnova IB I is het grootste Europese fonds voor dit snel groeiende nieuwe gebied.
Sofinnova Partners Leads Micropep Technologies €4M Series A Financing Round
PARIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sofinnova Partners, a leading European venture capital firm specialized in life sciences, today announces that Micropep Technologies, a biotech company focused on biological alternatives to agrochemicals, raised €4M. Sofinnova Partners becomes the company’s leading shareholder, next to IRDInov and Toulouse Tech Transfer. Sofinnova Partners invested with its recently closed €125M fund dedicated to the sustainable transition of the chemical industry, Sofinnova IB I, which is the largest European fund dedicated to this fast growing new area.
After Agrosavfe, which focuses on biological molecules to replace chemical fungicides and insecticides, Micropep is Sofinnova IB1’s second investment in Ag-Biotech, and third overall. Sofinnova Partners has been investing in industrial biotech since 2009 and today has a portfolio of 11 companies, in Europe and North America, at different stages of maturity. They range from companies at proof of concept, such as Enobraq in Toulouse (France) developing micro-organisms using C02 as source of carbon, all the way to commercial stage like Avantium in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) developing a brand-new type of plastic using renewable raw material.
Micropep, founded in 2016 in Toulouse, focuses on bioherbicides and biostimulants. The company uses plants’ natural molecules, called “micro-peptides”, to temporarily control expression of their genes and regulate plant growth but leaving their DNA intact. The company currently works on four development programs: germination, flowering, growth, and weed control. The proceeds of the financing will be used to strengthen its technology platform, further its R&D programs to proof of concept, and initiate its commercial growth with a strong international focus.
Denis Lucquin, Managing Partner at Sofinnova Partners, says: “We are thrilled to back Micropep. This young company has all the necessary features we look for: a breakthrough technology with a strong commercial and environmental impact and clear business objectives driven by visionary entrepreneurs.”
Thomas Laurent, Micropep’s CEO and co-Founder, continues: “Sofinnova Partners’ support represents a major step for Micropep’s development. Their expert knowledge combined with an unparalleled international network, validates the work we accomplished so far and represents a strong advantage for our growth and our ambition to revolutionize agriculture “.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180306006054/en/
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