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Virovet

  • Start-ups & scale-ups
  • Life Sciences & Care
  • Portfolio Life Sciences & Care
  • Life sciences & care
Erwin Blomsma, CEO van Virovet

Fewer infectious diseases and reducing antibiotics in livestock is good for both humans and animals. With its capital injection, PMV stood at the cradle of this challenging story.

Erwin Blomsma, CEO of Virovet

ViroVet is a pioneer in the development of innovative vaccines, using a unique patented technology platform developed by KU Leuven’s Rega Institute for Medical Research. This technology platform has the potential to produce vaccines faster and more cost-effectively. These vaccines are designed to maximise efficacy and minimise safety risks. Moreover, they are thermostable, eliminating the usual cold chain for distribution and storage. ViroVet will deploy this technology for both endemic and epidemic viral livestock diseases.

In addition to vaccines, the company is also developing fast-acting antivirals that can play an essential role in the effective control and treatment of upper respiratory diseases in cattle and pigs. This will reduce typical secondary bacterial infections and thus reduce antibiotic use.

This is important because the growing world population has an increasing need for animal protein. Indeed, the growth of livestock production, trade intensification and climate change are leading to an increasing risk of viral diseases, which are also spreading rapidly around the world. Such diseases not only have an impact on animal welfare and the economy, but also pose a risk to food supply and safety. In addition, some of these viral diseases, such as avian flu, are transmissible to humans.

Partners in ambition at Virovet

In a Series A funding round, Virovet raised 5 million euros. The funds raised were used to develop and launch the veterinary portfolio.

The capital round was led by Flemish investment company PMV (from Biotech Fonds Vlaanderen) and the Agri Investment Fund, with participations from Gemma Frisius Fonds KU Leuven, Vives II and Aratana Therapeutics.

Investment team Virovet

Filip Goossens Principal investment manager filip.goossens@pmv.eu
Kenneth Wils Head of Life Sciences & Care kenneth.wils@pmv.eu +32 (0)2 274 63 83