Funds will enable SeaBeLife to develop pipeline of innovative molecules intended to block programmed cell death in cases of acute liver and kidney disease
SeaBeLife, a biotech company developing drug candidates intended to block cell necrosis, announced that it has received €1.37M ($1.49M) in financing from Bpifrance. This financing, which has been granted in connection with the French government’s ‘Deeptech Plan’, will contribute to research into first-in-class drug candidates for the treatment of acute liver, kidney, heart and brain disease.
These funds will enable SeaBeLife to develop drug candidates with the unique ability to simultaneously inhibit necroptosis and ferroptosis, two modes of regulated cell death that are activated in individuals living with certain pathologies. The objective is to protect or regenerate organs affected by severe pathologies for which there are currently no effective treatments. SeaBeLife is the only company working on inhibition of these two modes of regulated cell death.
The financing will be paid out in two installments via the French government’s ‘Future Investments Program’: €959k ($1.04M) in the form of a repayable advance and €411k ($447k) in the form of subsidies.
“We are thrilled to have received this strategic financing from Bpifrance, which will provide us with a real springboard to continue developing. It is also wonderful to see the potential of our unique pipeline, which targets two regulated cell death pathways, being recognized in this way,” said Morgane Rousselot, CEO and co-founder of SeaBeLife. “This year, we will also be continuing our series A funding round, which will allow us to progress our preclinical trials and prepare for the clinical launch of our flagship molecules for the treatment of acute liver and kidney disease.”
The deep tech financing provided by Bpifrance is intended to fund the research and development phases of innovative, breakthrough projects prior to their industrial and commercial launch. Established in 2019, the Deeptech Plan comprises funds worth €2.5Bn ($2.72Bn) over five years, with the objective of financing the creation of 500 start-ups each year.
A unique technology that targets two regulated cell death pathways
When a cell is ready to die, there are several modes in which it can do so. In the case of certain pathologies, a phenomenon called necroptosis occurs, which is a form of regulated necrosis. Unfortunately, necroptosis results in inflammation, which damages surrounding tissue and can affect the prognosis of the associated disease.
SeaBeLife’s molecules have a unique property that makes them particularly effective: they also combat another specific mode of regulated cell death, ferroptosis. Recently, it was demonstrated that this dual action is essential to the inhibition of regulated necrosis in the treatment of certain pathologies.
The company mainly focuses on acute liver disease (acute liver failure) and acute kidney disease (acute kidney failure), but is also pursuing research into degenerative and ocular diseases (Parkinson’s disease, AMD, etc.).