EU Grants €2.5M to Belgian Startup for Goat Milk-Based Biopharmaceuticals
Liège, Tuesday, 1 October 2024.
Bio-Sourcing, a Liège-based biotech startup, has secured €2.5 million from the EU’s EIC Accelerator to develop biopharmaceuticals using goat milk. Their innovative BioMilk platform could revolutionize the production of cost-effective and sustainable medicines, particularly biosimilars for autoimmune diseases.
A Game-Changing Innovation
Bio-Sourcing’s BioMilk platform leverages goats’ natural ability to produce complex proteins in their milk, a method that is five times more cost-effective than traditional production techniques. This approach significantly reduces the environmental footprint associated with biopharmaceutical manufacturing, making it a sustainable option for the industry. The company plans to bring its first biosimilar, adalimumab (Humira), a widely used treatment for autoimmune diseases, to clinical trials by 2027.
Financial Backing and Expansion Plans
The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator has not only granted €2.5 million but also invested €10 million in equity to support Bio-Sourcing’s ventures. This funding will be used to conduct clinical trials and expand the company’s facilities, including scaling up a goat facility and constructing an industrial milk processing plant. These expansions will enable Bio-Sourcing to increase its production capacity and bring additional biosimilars to market, such as trastuzumab and golimumab.
Addressing Healthcare Challenges
Biosimilars are medical treatments that are very similar to previously approved biological drugs but are generally expensive to produce. Bio-Sourcing’s innovative method aims to make these treatments more affordable and accessible. The BioMilk platform will not only produce cost-effective biopharmaceuticals but also enhance Europe’s sovereignty in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. This is particularly significant in light of recent global health crises, which have underscored the need for greater self-sufficiency in critical pharmaceutical supplies.
Leadership and Vision
Dr. Bertrand Merot, founder and CEO of Bio-Sourcing, has been a pivotal figure in this groundbreaking initiative. He stated, ‘The recognition and financial support from the EIC Accelerator underscore the transformative potential of our platform and its importance in addressing global healthcare challenges.’ Dr. Merot’s leadership aims to position Bio-Sourcing as a global player in the biopharmaceutical market, leveraging their unique, sustainable platform to revolutionize the industry.