i-Seq Biotechnology, a life science company focused on advancing novel, broad-spectrum vaccines and therapeutics against infectious disease pathogens, announced today that it has signed a Stage I support agreement with the Incubator for Antibacterial Therapies in Europe (INCATE).
The agreement grants i-Seq selection into the INCATE support program. The initial twelve-month partnership provides i-Seq with non-dilutive financial support alongside strategic mentorship and advisory services. This global infrastructure is specifically designed to accelerate early-stage innovations fighting drug-resistant bacterial infections.
i-Seq will utilize the support to advance the highly conserved LafB protein as a universal vaccine antigen against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. S. pneumoniae remains a leading worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality because currently licensed vaccines cover only a fraction of serotypes impacting human health. The project aims to evaluate whether LafB provides superior, broad-spectrum protection when delivered alone as a universal protein antigen or when utilized as a universal carrier protein for a conjugated capsular polysaccharide vaccine, ultimately reducing the need for traditional antibiotic treatments.
"We are honored to partner with an organization as impactful as INCATE to advance our LafB antigen vaccine," said Jonathan Rayner, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at i-Seq. "Developing new preventative vaccines to reduce the use of antibiotics and therefore combat drug-resistant infections requires not just funding, but a clear path toward clinical and commercial validation. INCATE provides us with crucial early mentorship, helping us prioritize our upcoming preclinical studies as we progress toward clinical trials. Their network also offers valuable guidance on alternative pathogens for screening using our CRISPR-iSeq platform, introductions to potential investment partners, and a targeted community of anti-infective experts that will help us refine our translational strategy."
With the Stage I support underway, i-Seq will focus on extending its preclinical data to properly position the asset for future development phases. After six months in the support program, the company will also become eligible for an invitation to apply for further support under the INCATE Stage II program.
About i-Seq Biotechnology i-Seq Biotechnology is a life science company focused on advancing novel, broad-spectrum vaccines and therapeutics against infectious disease pathogens impacting global human health. Utilizing its advanced platforms, the company identifies critical gene fitness profiles to unlock next-generation medical interventions. For more information, please visit i-seq.com
About INCATE INCATE (Incubator for Antibacterial Therapies in Europe) is a unique partnership that brings together the University of Basel, the Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung e. V. (DZIF), the Leibniz-Institut für Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie e. V. Hans-Knöll-Institut (HKI), and the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) "AntiResist". Supported by various foundations and corporate partners, INCATE provides advice, community, and non-dilutive funding to help innovators bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and successful venture creation in the fight against drug-resistant bacterial infections. For more information, please visit incate.net
About VIC Tech
VIC's unique investment model sources innovation directly from universities nationwide, offering funding to form new start-up companies and advance these technologies. In addition to the initial capital, VIC provides its portfolio companies with business and scientific resources, including interim management, accounting, marketing, engineering support, and more. To learn more, visit victech.com