MRM Health, a Belgium-based developer of therapies based on the microbiome, secured €14m ($15m) in funding on Wednesday from investors including chemicals group DuPont and diversified holding group Ackermans & van Haaren.
Multi-university venture fund Qbic II and research institute VIB filled out the round with MRM Technologies, the holding company of gastrointestinal health platform ProDigest that set up MRM Health by spinning off assets from ProDigest. DuPont invested through DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences.
Founded earlier this year, MRM Health is working on treatments based on the human microbiome, with a lead asset aimed at inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is also working on a therapy for spondyloarthritis, a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine, joints and pelvis.
The company has formed a collaboration agreement with DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences to jointly develop therapies for a range of metabolic diseases, and a strategic research partnership with VIB.
The funding will enable MRM Health to advance its IBD product candidate into the clinic and progress its pipeline, including the further development of a treatment for a type of arthritis known as spondyloarthritis which affects the spine.
Sebastien Guery, human microbiome venture leader at DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, said: “We are thrilled to partner with MRM Health to jointly develop the next generation of microbiome products.
“Combining MRM Health’s unique technology platform with DuPont knowledge and experience provides a unique opportunity to accelerate the discovery and development of new therapeutic products in areas such as metabolic health.”
The original version of this article appeared on our sister site, Global University Venturing.