Arivin Therapeutics, a Finnish-Dutch biotech spin-off from Aalto University and the University of Helsinki, has raised €3 million in seed funding to advance therapies for drug-resistant bacterial infections.
The round was led by Michiel Seerden, Life Science & Deep Tech investor and founding partner at Imbestio Capital, with participation from private backers, angels, and Business Finland.
The company’s therapies use a dual mechanism of action: neutralising bacterial toxins and disrupting biofilms — protective layers that allow bacteria to survive antibiotics. This approach aims to reduce pathogen burden, limit infection spread, and overcome resistance mechanisms in high-priority Gram-negative pathogens, including Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
“Antibiotics are a short-term solution to a long-term problem,” said Chris Jonkergouw, CEO of Arivin Therapeutics. “Our therapies are designed to be effective over time, avoiding rapid resistance and providing sustainable, future-proof solutions.”
Addressing a global crisis
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) caused 4.7 million deaths in 2021 and could rise to 10 million annually by 2050, with global economic losses of $2 trillion, according to the UK Government and the Center for Global Development.
Arivin Therapeutics is also the Finnish National Coordinator for AMR in the BEAM alliance, reinforcing its role in Europe’s collective push against resistant infections.
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Capital utilisation and pipeline
The funding will support:
- Advancing lead therapies for chronic respiratory infections (non-CF bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis) through IND-enabling studies, with inhalation delivery designed to reduce inflammation, enhance antibiotic efficacy, and shorten treatment cycles.
- Progressing its wound infection program, focused on accelerating healing and enabling prophylactic use.
- Scaling its Fast-P platform, a rapid screening tool to identify molecules that influence bacterial resistance.
With the seed round secured, Arivin Therapeutics plans to expand its labs, grow its team, and accelerate towards first patient trials.
“By directly targeting toxins and biofilms, Arivin is unlocking urgently needed new treatment possibilities,” said Michiel Seerden. “This innovation can have a sustainable impact as resistant complications and healthcare costs continue to escalate.”
