French Biotech SeaBeLife Secures €2M for Clinical Trials Initiative

SeaBeLife, a French biotech startup based in Roscoff, has successfully raised €2 million in a pre-Series A funding round. This capital infusion aims to accelerate the development of its drug candidates that target regulated cell death pathways. The financing was led by iXLife and included participation from both new and existing investors such as INEXT, Breizh Angels, Angels Santé, and Femmes Business Angels, the first women-only business angels’ network in Europe.

The funds will primarily support the advancement of two key drug candidates targeting dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and severe acute hepatitis. The company plans to initiate its first clinical trial in 2026, marking a significant step forward in addressing these conditions.

Innovative Approaches to Unmet Medical Needs

Founded in 2019, SeaBeLife has developed a unique strategy focused on small molecules that inhibit necroptosis and ferroptosis, pathways linked to both acute and chronic diseases. Unlike traditional methods that typically target a single pathway, SeaBeLife employs a dual-target mechanism, positioning it distinctively within the biotechnology sector.

The company’s most advanced drug candidate, SBL03, is designed for treating dry AMD, a leading cause of vision loss. Preliminary preclinical results in geographic atrophy, a severe form of the disease, have shown promising efficacy. Concurrently, the SBL01 candidate is aimed at addressing severe acute hepatitis, a condition with few treatment options and high mortality rates. By focusing on diseases that currently lack approved therapies, SeaBeLife is poised to drive significant innovation in areas of critical medical need.

Recognition of SeaBeLife’s potential includes accolades from the national i-Nov Competition 2024 and ongoing support from key regional and national partners, including Bpifrance and the Région Bretagne authority.

A Strong Leadership Team Driving Innovation

At the helm of SeaBeLife is CEO and co-founder Morgane Rousselot, a biochemist with training from Sorbonne University, CNRS, and Roscoff Marine Station. She is joined by co-founders Stéphane Bach, Marie-Thérèse Dimanche-Boitrel, and scientific director Claire Delehouzé. Together, they leverage their academic backgrounds to pioneer therapies for conditions that currently leave patients without viable options.

SeaBeLife’s innovation is protected by multiple patents in both Europe and the United States, establishing it as a potential global leader in regulating cell death mechanisms. With two lead programs targeting markets valued at several billion euros, the company is positioned not only for scientific impact but also for commercial success.

As the company moves forward, it aims to translate its groundbreaking research into tangible treatments that can significantly improve the lives of patients suffering from severe, rare, and chronic conditions. The recent funding round equips SeaBeLife to undertake critical steps toward clinical development.

“The renewed backing from our longstanding investors, together with the addition of new partners, is a clear signal of confidence in our vision and development strategy,” said Morgane Rousselot, PhD, CEO and co-founder of SeaBeLife. “This fundraising is a decisive step towards clinical trials and reinforces our ambition to create a new generation of cutting-edge treatments capable of blocking two major pathways for programmed cell death. We are now actively preparing for a Series A funding round to sustain this momentum.”

Investors also expressed their enthusiasm for the startup’s innovative approach. “We at INEXT are impressed by SeaBeLife’s disruptive technology, which concurrently blocks two regulated cell death pathways,” stated Eric Valat, chairman of INEXT. “Its first-in-class approach, supported by promising preclinical results, positions SeaBeLife as a key player in the future of biotech.”

Jean-Pierre Kinet, chairman of iXLife, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the latest in vivo data validates the value and potential of the company’s dual-targeted approach. “By simultaneously blocking two forms of regulated cell death, SeaBeLife uniquely shields organs from damage, highlighting its transformative potential to provide patients with rare or chronic diseases with a new therapeutic option.”

With a clear vision and a robust leadership team, SeaBeLife is set to advance its mission of addressing critical unmet medical needs, promising a brighter future for patients worldwide.