smartbax, a biotechnology company pioneering innovative small-molecule antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria, announced the first closing of its €4.7 million Pre-Series A financing round. The investment was led by new backers Anobis Asset and Bayern Kapital, with participation from UnternehmerTUM Funding for Innovators, as well as returning investors High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund (BIVF). The round remains open for additional investors in a second closing.
The new funding will enable smartbax to advance its proprietary antibiotic pipeline targeting urgent global health threats. The company’s lead antibacterial compound inhibits a previously unexplored step in the biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are essential components of the outer membrane in Gram-negative bacteria. The compound has already achieved in vivo proof of concept, demonstrating efficacy against multidrug-resistant strains and showing potential as an orally available drug candidate. smartbax now plans to progress this compound through preclinical development as part of its broader goal to address infections where existing antibiotics have failed.
In addition to the inhibitor program, smartbax is advancing an innovative platform of small-molecule enzyme activators designed to induce bacterial self-digestion. Unlike traditional antibiotics that inhibit bacterial functions, these compounds activate hydrolases within bacteria, prompting them to break down their own cellular structures from within. This approach represents a new antibacterial mechanism that could overcome the resistance issues plaguing conventional antibiotics. smartbax has identified two classes of these enzyme activators, each targeting distinct bacterial groups—Gram-positive and Gram-negative. Both classes have exhibited strong drug-like properties, the ability to eliminate biofilms, and no observed resistance development.
How the funding will be used: The company will use the funding to advance both programs through lead selection and in vivo validation. The pipeline aims to deliver new treatment options for patients suffering from infections caused by WHO-priority pathogens, where current therapeutic alternatives are limited.
KEY QUOTES:
“Small-molecule antibiotics remain one of the most effective tools in combating the rapidly growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. smartbax is currently the only German biotech dedicated exclusively to developing these crucial tools, and we are proud to advance complementary approaches with both a classical inhibitor against a novel target and enzyme activators with a truly novel mode of action in the antibiotic realm. Our programs focus on WHO priority pathogens and aim to provide new treatment options for critically ill patients who currently have limited alternatives. We are delighted to have assembled such a strong consortium of investors who share our commitment to addressing this urgent public health threat.”
Dr. Robert Macsics, CEO, smartbax
“Antibiotic resistance is one of the most urgent medical challenges of our time, and there is a clear need for new therapeutic approaches. In Germany alone, nearly 10,000 people die each year as a direct consequence of infections with multi-drug resistant bacteria; many more are hospitalized and often face lengthy recovery times. We are proud to support a team focused on developing solutions that could help patients and protect public health worldwide.”
Martin Falk, Managing Director, Anobis Asset
“Rising bacterial resistance to antibiotics poses an enormous burden on global healthcare. smartbax is tackling this problem with two novel drug approaches that are already showing great potential at their current stage. At the same time, the market for new antibiotics is opening up a highly attractive growth area with great economic opportunities. Our investment in smartbax is therefore a promising investment in the local biotech ecosystem and the resilience of our healthcare system.”
Monika Steger, Managing Partner, Bayern Kapital
“smartbax has grown from academic research into a biotech company with a clear focus on antibiotic innovation. We are pleased to join this financing round and to support a team that is advancing both classical inhibitors and entirely new antibacterial mechanisms with enzyme activators, and we are proud that such innovation has its origins at the Technical University Munich.”
Inga vom Holtz, Director Investments, UnternehmerTUM Funding for Innovators
