Astraveus, providers of modular, microfluidic cell foundries for cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing, has completed an oversubscribed €16.5 million Series Seed financing led by AdBio partners, co-syndicated with M Ventures, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC Inc., and Bpifrance Large Venture.
Astraveus’ Lakhesys platform is an end-to-end cell foundry that uses deep process optimisation and single-use, microfluidic bioprocessors with the aim of delivering better results with reduced inputs. By removing the need for large-scale infrastructure, reducing costs and processing time, and overcoming the logistical challenges associated with CGT manufacturing, Astraveus is seeking to widen patient access to these life-changing therapies. The recently completed financing will allow the company to significantly advance the development of its technology and expand the team.
While CGT is a young market, it has received considerable investment – an average of >$18 billion per year since 20201 – but the high per patient cost of up to $2 million has been a brake on both development of new therapies and deployment of those already identified.
Following the fundraising, Alain Huriez of Adbio partners, Christian Uhrich of M Ventures, Fiona MacLaughlin of JJDC Inc., and Laurent Higueret of Bpifrance Large Venture will be joining the board of Astraveus.
Jérémie Laurent, Founder and CEO of Astraveus, said: “Astraveus has an ambitious vision to revolutionise the development and commercialisation of cell and gene therapies. By reducing costs, increasing precision and driving scalability, we are enabling the realisation of the full potential of these therapies and making them accessible to a far wider audience of patients.”
