Biotech company Verigraft secures major investment
Verigraft, a deeptech company based in Gothenburg, has announced a capital injection of SEK 110 million (approx. EUR 10 million) from an existing long-term shareholder.
The new investor funds will support the company as it prepares for Phase II and III clinical studies.
“This financing marks an important step for Verigraft as we enter the next phase of our clinical development. It strengthens our ability to advance our programme in Europe and the US and supports our continued efforts to bring personalised regenerative therapies closer to patients,” says Petter Björquist, CEO of Verigraft.
Founded in 2014 and built on groundbreaking Swedish research, Verigraft has developed a regenerative medicine platform that makes it possible to transform donated tissue into personalised transplants.
The technology removes the risk of rejection and reduces the need for lifelong immunosuppression – factors that can improve recovery and quality of life for patients with serious medical conditions.
The company is based at the Biotech Centre in Gothenburg, part of Sahlgrenska Science Park. It is backed by investors from Europe, Asia and the US.
“Gothenburg is an attractive base for innovative companies because of the combination of scientific excellence, industrial heritage and a well-connected support ecosystem. For Verigraft, that environment has been valuable in helping us build visibility, credibility and relationships with international investors,” says Petter Björquist.
A year of milestones and accolades
During the past 12 months, Verigraft has been part of a EUR 1.2 million Eurostars grant as coordinator for the international PREPPER research project, aiming to develop next-generation 3D-printed arterial grafts. It has also raised EUR 0.5 million in a crowdfunding campaign on the platform Capital Cell.
Last November it was honoured with Sahlgrenska Science Park’s Arvid Carlsson Award “for its groundbreaking work in regenerative medicine”.
In addition, in October it announced the completion of its first-in-man clinical trial (Phase I/II), a major milestone for the company.
Iris Öhrn, our investment advisor for life science, works to connect local companies with international investors. She has followed Verigraft’s journey closely and helped facilitate introductions to suitable investors.
“Companies create their own success. Our role is to support them by opening doors, facilitating the right connections, and ensuring they meet investors who understand their potential. By working continuously with both new and long term investors, we help international capital find its way to our region while giving our companies the conditions they need to grow,” says Iris Öhrn, investment advisor for life science at Business Region Göteborg.
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