Danish biotechnology firm SNIPR Biome has closed a €35 million Series B funding round to accelerate development of CRISPR-based treatments targeting drug-resistant bacterial infections. The Copenhagen company plans to use the capital to advance therapies for cystic fibrosis patients and cancer treatment applications.
The funding round attracted new investors including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Germany’s Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation (SPRIN-D), alongside existing backers Lundbeckfonden BioCapital, North-East Family Office, and Wellington Partners. This investment follows a €20 million venture debt facility from the European Investment Bank secured eight months earlier.
Targeting Critical Healthcare Challenges
SNIPR Biome has carved out a specialized niche in precision medicine by applying CRISPR gene-editing technology to combat harmful bacteria rather than modifying human cells directly. The company’s approach focuses on eliminating antibiotic resistance genes across different bacterial species and environments within the human body.
A significant portion of the new funding will support development of a CRISPR-Cas therapy designed to treat airway infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients. This bacterial pathogen frequently develops resistance to conventional antibiotics, creating treatment challenges for patients with the genetic disorder.
Clinical Pipeline Progress
The company will also use proceeds to advance SNIPR001, its lead CRISPR-based product for patients with blood cancers. The treatment is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1b clinical trial across eight cancer centers in the United States, with support from CARB-X funding.
SNIPR Biome has established several notable firsts in the CRISPR therapeutics field. The company became the first to administer an oral CRISPR treatment to human patients and secured pioneering patents in both the United States and Europe for using CRISPR technology to target microbiomes.
Strategic Partnerships and Leadership
Under the leadership of CEO and Co-Founder Christian Groendahl, SNIPR Biome has built collaborative relationships with prominent organizations including the Gates Foundation, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and IPATH. These partnerships reflect the growing recognition of antimicrobial resistance as a global health priority.
“This financing marks a pivotal milestone for SNIPR BIOME as we advance the clinical development of SNIPR001 for the prevention of bloodstream infections and continue to expand our infectious disease pipeline targeting pathogens of critical importance” ~ CEO and Co-Founder, Christian Groendahl,.
The CEO emphasized that investor support demonstrates both the urgency of addressing antimicrobial resistance and the company’s unique position in developing innovative solutions.
Market Position and Technology Approach
SNIPR Biome’s technology platform represents a distinct approach to CRISPR applications in medicine. Rather than editing human genes, the company uses CRISPR systems to precisely target and eliminate problematic bacteria or modify microbial genes. This strategy aims to preserve beneficial microorganisms while removing harmful pathogens or resistance mechanisms.
The company operates in the clinical stage of development, having demonstrated proof-of-concept for oral delivery of CRISPR therapeutics. This delivery method could offer advantages over intravenous treatments for certain applications, particularly in treating gastrointestinal infections or preventing systemic bacterial spread.
As antimicrobial resistance continues to emerge globally, SNIPR Biome’s specialized focus on precision bacterial targeting positions the company to address both immediate clinical needs and longer-term public health challenges. The Series B funding provides resources to expand clinical trials and potentially bring the first CRISPR-based antimicrobial treatments to market.