Chile’s PhageLab secures USD 11 M funding to combat antibiotic resistance in the livestock industry

PhageLab, a leading biotechnology company dedicated to developing bacteriophage-based applications to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the livestock industry, has announced the successful closure of an $11 million funding round. This significant investment, led by Nazca, Collaborative Fund, Water Lemon Ventures, and individual investor Kevin Efrusy, underscores a pivotal moment in the fight against antibiotic resistance and marks a crucial step forward for PhageLab’s mission.

“Bacteriophages are small viral particles that can recognize and eliminate pathogenic bacteria, offering a natural alternative to heavy antibiotic use in treating livestock infections,” explained Hans Pieringer, CEO & Co-Founder of PhageLab. “Our proprietary microbial bioinformatics platform, fueled by over a decade of experimentation data and tested phage repositories, enables us to create customized solutions to manage pathogenic bacteria effectively and reduce dependence on antibiotics.”

The urgency of addressing antibiotic resistance cannot be overstated, with outbreaks of multidrug-resistant bacteria on the rise. Since 2019, the effectiveness of 50% of antibiotics used in intensive animal farming has diminished, leading to over 4.95 million deaths worldwide related to multidrug resistance. PhageLab’s innovative approach seeks to combat this crisis head-on by leveraging advanced technology and scientific expertise.

“Our focus on advancing breakthrough science aligns with our commitment to providing long-term solutions to global antibiotic resistance challenges,” remarked Kevin Efrusy, an individual investor supporting PhageLab’s endeavors. “The company’s pioneering efforts in bringing phage-based solutions to market have the potential to revolutionize sustainability in our food system and human health.”

PhageLab’s current product, INSPEKTOR, targets the reduction of Salmonella spp. in broiler chicken farms, with plans to launch an E. coli product soon and develop solutions for preventing infectious diarrhea in pigs. Additionally, the company offers services for identifying, detecting, and characterizing microorganisms within livestock production.

“We’re thrilled to support PhageLab’s transformative approach to combating antibiotic-resistant outbreaks,” said Luisa Sucre, Principal at Collaborative Fund. “Their technology, coupled with a world-class team, positions them as leaders in the industry, and we look forward to witnessing their continued growth and impact.”

The funding will not only enable PhageLab to expand its product portfolio and establish a commercial presence in key markets such as Brazil and the United States but also facilitate the scaling of its global team, which currently consists of nearly 100 employees across Latin America and Europe.

PhageLab’s dedication to innovation and its commitment to addressing critical health and food security issues position it as a trailblazer in the biotechnology landscape. As the company continues to push boundaries and deliver impactful solutions, it remains steadfast in its mission to develop personalized bacteriophage treatments to address global bacterial challenges.

For more information about PhageLab and its groundbreaking work, please visit https://phage-lab.com.

Contact: PhageLab Team Email: hello@phage-lab.com

About PhageLab: PhageLab is a biotechnology company specializing in precision bacteriophage treatments to reduce antibiotic overuse in the livestock industry. Founded in 2010, PhageLab utilizes deep epidemiological diagnostics to develop effective solutions for bacterial population control based on over a decade of data collection. Headquartered in Santiago, Chile, PhageLab operates offices in Spain and Brazil.

PhageLab, a leading biotechnology company dedicated to developing bacteriophage-based applications to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the livestock industry, has announced the successful closure of an $11 million funding round. This significant investment, led by Nazca, Collaborative Fund, Water Lemon Ventures, and individual investor Kevin Efrusy, underscores a pivotal moment in the fight against antibiotic resistance and marks a crucial step forward for PhageLab’s mission.

“Bacteriophages are small viral particles that can recognize and eliminate pathogenic bacteria, offering a natural alternative to heavy antibiotic use in treating livestock infections,” explained Hans Pieringer, CEO & Co-Founder of PhageLab. “Our proprietary microbial bioinformatics platform, fueled by over a decade of experimentation data and tested phage repositories, enables us to create customized solutions to manage pathogenic bacteria effectively and reduce dependence on antibiotics.”

The urgency of addressing antibiotic resistance cannot be overstated, with outbreaks of multidrug-resistant bacteria on the rise. Since 2019, the effectiveness of 50% of antibiotics used in intensive animal farming has diminished, leading to over 4.95 million deaths worldwide related to multidrug resistance. PhageLab’s innovative approach seeks to combat this crisis head-on by leveraging advanced technology and scientific expertise.

“Our focus on advancing breakthrough science aligns with our commitment to providing long-term solutions to global antibiotic resistance challenges,” remarked Kevin Efrusy, an individual investor supporting PhageLab’s endeavors. “The company’s pioneering efforts in bringing phage-based solutions to market have the potential to revolutionize sustainability in our food system and human health.”

PhageLab’s current product, INSPEKTOR, targets the reduction of Salmonella spp. in broiler chicken farms, with plans to launch an E. coli product soon and develop solutions for preventing infectious diarrhea in pigs. Additionally, the company offers services for identifying, detecting, and characterizing microorganisms within livestock production.

“We’re thrilled to support PhageLab’s transformative approach to combating antibiotic-resistant outbreaks,” said Luisa Sucre, Principal at Collaborative Fund. “Their technology, coupled with a world-class team, positions them as leaders in the industry, and we look forward to witnessing their continued growth and impact.”

The funding will not only enable PhageLab to expand its product portfolio and establish a commercial presence in key markets such as Brazil and the United States but also facilitate the scaling of its global team, which currently consists of nearly 100 employees across Latin America and Europe.