FFUND is proud to have supported Atopius Health B.V. and Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) in securing €424,218 in PPP Subsidy through the Health Holland MKB (SME) Call for MIMED-B – From Microbiome to MEDicine: Translational Development of STM-5B-6 for the Treatment of Bronchiectasis. The 24-month project has a total value of €700k.
About the consortium
MIMED-B brings together Atopius Health, a Dutch biotech developing novel therapeutics inspired by the microbiome, and LUMC’s expertise in immunology, airway epithelial biology and translational respiratory research. The collaboration combines Atopius Health’s drug-development capabilities with advanced human-relevant models available at LUMC to translate science toward clinical development.
What is MIMED-B about?
Bronchiectasis is a chronic and progressive lung disease characterised by recurrent infections, persistent inflammation and progressive lung damage. Although treatment options are beginning to evolve, most existing and emerging therapies address infections or inflammation further downstream in the disease process.
Atopius Health is developing STM-5B-6, a first-in-class, microbiome-inspired small molecule designed to act further upstream by restoring the balance between the airway epithelium and the immune system. MIMED-B will investigate its mechanism of action and therapeutic potential using advanced human bronchial epithelial and immune-cell models. Over the course of the project, the consortium aims to advance STM-5B-6 from TRL 4 to TRL 5, generating the mechanistic and translational evidence required to nominate a fully characterised preclinical candidate. The project will also establish the formulation, regulatory and IP strategy needed for subsequent IND/IMPD-enabling development and, ultimately, progression towards first-in-human studies.
How did FFUND help?
FFUND supported Atopius Health and LUMC with the application, helping the consortium translate a complex scientific and translational programme into a clear, competitive funding proposition. Key to the application was aligning the project with the scientific, economic and societal requirements of the Health Holland call.
Filipa Carvalhal Marques, Consultant at FFUND:
“It was a pleasure to work with Bettina and the LUMC team on MIMED-B. What I liked most about this project was the combination of strong science, a clear clinical need and a team committed to moving the work forward. I am very happy that Health Holland recognised the strength of the project and the collaboration behind it, and I look forward to seeing how STM-5B-6 develops further.”
Bettina Ernst, CEO, Atopius Health:
“We are very pleased to receive this Health Holland MKB support, which enables us to advance STM-5B-6 towards a fully characterised preclinical candidate. This project is built on a strong collaboration with LUMC, and we are grateful to FFUND for their valuable support in shaping the application and helping us translate the scientific and translational potential of MIMED-B into a competitive funding proposal. Together, we aim to generate the evidence needed to move this promising microbiome-inspired approach closer to clinical development.”
Prof. Hermelijn Smits, LUMC:
“Through this collaboration, we can contribute our expertise in immunology and human-relevant airway models to evaluate the mechanism and translational potential of STM-5B-6. We look forward to working with Atopius Health to generate the evidence needed to assess this approach in bronchiectasis.”
About the HealthHolland MKB Call
The Health Holland MKB Call supports public-private R&D collaborations between innovative SMEs and research organisations in the Dutch Life Sciences & Health sector, helping promising technologies progress towards their next development and commercialisation milestones.
How FFUND can help?
Are you looking for help to build a consortium or shape your project proposal? Or do you need help on Venture Finance Support or Grant- & Project Management? Read more on our website or contact us. We are happy to help you.
