Swedish medtech company Amferia raises €1.2M to advance its innovative hydrogel technology designed to fight antimicrobial resistance.
In medtech news, a pioneering Swedish company, Amferia has raised €1.2M in its latest investment round to bolster its mission against resistant bacterial infections. This latest funding round, which was oversubscribed, will significantly accelerate the clinical development of its cutting-edge hydrogel platform and support the commercialisation of its pipeline in human health.
Strategic €1.2M boost for Amferia’s peptide technology
The €1.2M investment round was spearheaded by both existing owners and new investors, including Chalmers Ventures, an investment arm of Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. It supports startups and spin-offs emerging from the university’s research, students, and alumni.
This influx of capital will be pivotal in advancing Amferia’s innovative technology, which uses antimicrobial peptides to target and destroy bacteria, including those resistant to conventional antibiotics. The investment aligns with Amferia’s broader goal of enhancing global infection control, particularly as antibiotic resistance continues to pose a significant threat to public health.
Commercialisation and partnerships in animal health
In addition to securing new funding, Amferia has signed its first commercial agreement with Orkla Wound Care, a leader in the animal health segment. This partnership will see the launch of a revolutionary wound dressing for animals that not only treats wounds but also kills resistant bacteria. This marks a significant milestone for Amferia as it expands the application of its proprietary hydrogel technology beyond human health.
Addressing the global challenge of resistant bacterial infections
The WHO predicts that antibiotic-resistant infections, including those from wounds, could become one of the leading causes of both illness and death over the next ten years. Amferia’s hydrogel material is being investigated for continuous development in several other areas, including sprays for deep wounds, coatings for implants, and various types of catheters.
“Bacterial infections are likely to surpass cancer and heart disease as the number one cause of human deaths in the future, largely due to resistance to commonly used antibiotics,” said Anand Rajasekharan, CEO and co-founder of Amferia. Our hydrogel technology enables the safe and stable use of antimicrobial peptides, allowing them to effectively target bacteria without harming surrounding tissue. Essentially, we are using antimicrobial peptides to mimic the immune system and reduce the need for antibiotics.”
Antimicrobial peptides are known for their ability to kill bacteria due to their positive electrostatic charge, which attracts negatively charged bacteria. This allows the peptides to puncture bacterial membranes and destroy the cells. However, their fragility in natural biological environments is a challenge, as enzymes in the human body can degrade these peptides quickly. Amferia’s hydrogel offers a versatile solution, protecting the peptides from degradation and ensuring their effectiveness against even resistant bacteria.
Expanding the hydrogel platform for human applications
While Amferia’s initial focus has been on veterinary applications, the company is actively expanding its technology for human health. “Amferia’s first product using our proprietary technology platform is a wound dressing for animal health,” explained Agneta Edberg, Chairman of Amferia. “The company aims to launch further products in the near future, using our platform in human health to provide new treatments for patients at risk of skin and wound infections, also resistant, which makes our technology part of the future solutions.”
Founded in 2018, Amferia’s innovative approach is seen as a crucial step in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, with potential applications ranging from wound care dressings to sprays for deep wounds and coatings for medical implants.
Future outlook and regulatory milestones
The newly secured funds will also support regulatory efforts, including the pursuit of CE marking and FDA clearance for human applications. This is a critical step in bringing Amferia’s hydrogel technology to a broader market, ensuring it can be used in clinical settings worldwide.
“We believe this investment will help Amferia advance its hydrogel platform and bring it to the market for human use,” said Jonas Bergman, Investment Director at Chalmers Ventures. “A portion of the funds will be allocated towards regulatory and post-regulatory work for human use. It will also help Amferia form new strategic partnerships to ensure a smooth market entry.”
