Bio-Sourcing Wins EIC Accelerator Funds to Enhance Biomanufacturing and Accessibility of Biotherapeutics

Bio-Sourcing, a leading biotherapeutic company based in Liège, Belgium, announced it has received significant financial support from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. The company has been awarded €2.5 million in grants and €10 million in equity. This funding will be crucial for advancing their groundbreaking work in the biopharmaceutical industry.

The primary objective of this financial backing is to enable Bio-Sourcing to bring a biosimilar version of adalimumab, commonly known as Humira, to clinical trials by 2027. Humira is a widely used treatment for various autoimmune diseases. The introduction of the biosimilar is expected to generate substantial upfront payments and long-term royalties, which Bio-Sourcing plans to reinvest into further research and development. The aim is to scale operations and introduce additional biosimilars to the market in the future.

Dr. Bertrand Merot, the founder and CEO of Bio-Sourcing, emphasized the transformative potential of their BioMilk platform. "The recognition and financial support from the EIC Accelerator underscore the transformative potential of our platform and its importance in addressing global healthcare challenges," he said. Dr. Merot highlighted that the funding not only helps in making biotherapeutics more affordable but also opens the door for Europe to become a leader in the global biopharmaceutical market.

Bio-Sourcing has carved a niche for itself in producing biotherapeutics, particularly monoclonal antibodies, using the milk of specialized goats. Their BioMilk platform leverages goats' natural ability to produce complex proteins in their milk. This innovative method is five times more cost-effective than traditional approaches and considerably reduces the environmental impact of production.

The strategic importance of Bio-Sourcing’s BioMilk platform goes beyond merely cutting costs. The company aims to contribute to Europe’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing sovereignty by enabling domestic production of biosimilars. This objective has gained additional significance in the wake of recent global health crises, which highlighted the necessity for greater self-sufficiency in critical pharmaceutical supplies.

The financial boost will also facilitate the expansion of Bio-Sourcing’s company premises. This includes the scaling-up of a goat facility and the construction of an industrial milk processing plant, essential for large-scale production.

Bio-Sourcing is at the forefront of biotechnological innovation. The company has developed a sustainable and profitable platform for producing a new generation of biotherapeutics, especially monoclonal antibodies. Their technology hinges on producing these biotherapeutics in goat’s milk using advanced genome editing and nuclear transfer techniques.

In summary, the funding from the EIC Accelerator will significantly advance Bio-Sourcing's mission. It will enable the company to bring its first biosimilar adalimumab to clinical trials by 2027 and reinvest in further research and development. This advancement underscores the transformative potential of their BioMilk platform, which aims to make biotherapeutics more affordable and establish Europe as a leader in the global biopharmaceutical industry.