smartbax, a biotechnology company focused on developing advanced antibiotics to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria, has announced the successful completion of its first closing in a €4.7 million Pre-Series A financing round. This funding initiative, which is still open for additional investors, was led by Anobis Asset and Bayern Kapital, with participation from UnternehmerTUM Funding for Innovators and existing investors such as HTGF – High-Tech Gründerfonds and the Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund.
The funds will be utilized to advance smartbax”s proprietary pipeline of small-molecule antibiotics that aim to address bacterial resistance through innovative mechanisms. The lead candidate is an inhibitor that disrupts a previously unexamined step in the synthesis of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are essential structural components of the outer membrane in Gram-negative bacteria. This candidate has shown in vivo proof of concept, including effectiveness against multi-drug resistant strains, and is being developed as an orally available medication.
Additionally, smartbax is progressing its platform of small-molecule activators that enhance bacterial hydrolases. Unlike traditional antibiotics that inhibit bacterial functions, these compounds encourage hydrolase activity, leading to internal bacterial self-digestion. This novel mechanism represents a promising avenue for tackling established resistance strategies. The company has identified two classes of activators that are effective against distinct targets in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, exhibiting favorable drug-like properties, the ability to eliminate biofilms, and no development of resistance.
Dr. Robert Macsics, CEO of smartbax, stated, “Small-molecule antibiotics remain one of the most effective tools in combating the rapidly growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. smartbax is currently the only German biotech dedicated exclusively to developing these crucial tools, and we are proud to advance complementary approaches with both a classical inhibitor against a novel target and enzyme activators with a truly novel mode of action in the antibiotic realm.” He emphasized the company”s focus on World Health Organization (WHO) priority pathogens, aiming to offer new treatment options for critically ill patients with limited alternatives.
Martin Falk, managing director at Anobis Asset, remarked on the urgency of addressing antibiotic resistance, noting that nearly 10,000 people in Germany alone die each year due to infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria. He expressed pride in supporting a team committed to developing solutions that could benefit patients and enhance public health globally.
Monika Steger, Managing Partner at Bayern Kapital, commented on the significant challenge posed by increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, highlighting the potential of smartbax”s dual drug approaches in this arena. She pointed out that the market for new antibiotics presents attractive growth opportunities, making their investment a valuable contribution to the local biotech sector and healthcare resilience.
Inga vom Holtz, Director Investments at UnternehmerTUM Funding for Innovators, added, “smartbax has evolved from academic research into a biotech company with a clear focus on antibiotic innovation. We are pleased to join this financing round and to support a team that is advancing both classical inhibitors and entirely new antibacterial mechanisms with enzyme activators, and we are proud that such innovation has its origins at the Technical University Munich.”
About smartbax: Founded in 2021 as a spin-off from the Technical University Munich (TUM), smartbax is dedicated to addressing the growing challenge of multi-drug resistant bacteria through the development of a new generation of antibiotics. The company”s innovative research is focused on creating effective treatments that provide significant benefits to patients worldwide.
For more information, visit smartbax.de.
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Dr. Regina Lutz, Katja Arnold
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About Anobis Asset: Based in Freiburg, Anobis Asset is a family office with a pharmaceutical background, actively pursuing investment opportunities in the healthcare and life sciences sectors.
About Bayern Kapital: Bayern Kapital is the venture capital firm of the Free State of Bavaria, managing €700 million in assets and specializing in investments in Bavarian high-tech and deep-tech start-ups.
About UnternehmerTUM Funding for Innovators: This pre-seed fund supports deep tech founders, providing initial funding to help bring breakthrough technologies to market.
About HTGF – High-Tech Gründerfonds: HTGF is one of Europe”s leading early-stage investors, financing startups across various sectors.
About Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund: The BIVF invests in innovative biotech firms focused on therapeutic advancements, supporting long-term partnerships in biomedical research.
