Gedea Biotech, part of LU Holding’s portfolio, announced in May that it has raised €1.3 million (14 MSEK) for additional development activities of their product pHyph for antibiotic-free treatment of vaginal infections. The funds will be used for:
• An ongoing proof-of-concept study for the treatment of Vulvo Vaginal Candidiasis (VVC) with pHyph, partially financed by a recent grant from Swelife and Medtech4Health
• Investigating how the vaginal microbiome changes during short- and long-term treatment with pHyph in patients with bacterial vaginosis
• Preparation of an additional clinical study for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, planned to start after the summer.
Current as well as new shareholders from Family Offices and Business Angels with a track record as life science investors participated in the funding round, including LU Holding.
Vaginal infections affect at least 400 million women worldwide every year, but with current treatments, the risk of recurrence is substantial as antimicrobial resistance also rapidly increases, according to information on Geneva Biotech’s website. pHyph has shown a clinical cure rate for bacterial vaginosis on par with antibiotics on the market, with a superior safety profile and without causing secondary VVC infections as is the case with antibiotics, according to the company.
"We are delighted to have succeeded in raising more funds for our additional clinical documentation of pHyph and also to investigate its wider impact on the vaginal microbiome. We particularly welcome the engagement by the new shareholders," says Annette Säfholm, CEO of Gedea Biotech. "The commitment from new, experienced life science investors to support our journey validates the trust in our company and our plans for the further development of pHyph”.
About Gedea Biotech
Gedea Biotech is a Swedish, innovative women’s health company developing pHyph, the first antibiotic-free treatment that will both treat and prevent bacterial vaginosis. Gedea Biotech was founded in 2015 in Lund, Sweden.