Animab Secures EUR 10 Million in Series B Financing to Launch Nanoprotec® in Europe and Expand Pipeline

Zwijnaarde, 1 July 2025 – Animab (“the Company”), a leader in pioneering first-in-class oral antibody solutions for unmet needs in production animals, announces the successful closing of a EUR 10 million Series B funding round. The investment will support the commercial launch of Animab Nanoprotec® as well as the advancement of its broader pipeline. This financing round follows shortly after Animab’s exclusive distribution agreement with Huvepharma¹, reinforcing the strong momentum behind the upcoming commercialization of Nanoprotec® in the European market.

The funding round was led by AIF, PMV and QBIC III, and supported by all existing investors, including Seventure Partners, V-Bio Ventures, and VIB and welcomed Anacura as a new investor.

“This successful round is the result of aligned leadership, longstanding trust from our partners, and a shared commitment to combating antimicrobial resistance through animal-friendly disease control solutions,” said Jan Spaas, Chairman of the Board at Animab. “We are especially pleased to welcome Anacura, whose experience further strengthens our governance, and we sincerely thank all existing investors for their continued confidence in our team.” Alain Wille, CEO of Animab, added: “This milestone reflects our shared belief in Animab’s potential to transform animal health without relying on antibiotics. With the continued support of our investors, we are accelerating the path toward antibiotic-free livestock solutions – enhancing both animal welfare and productivity. This funding also positions us to potentially reach break-even by the end of 2027.”

Felix Van Camp from Anacura stated: “We are thrilled to join Animab at this pivotal moment. Our decision to invest was based not only on the strength of Nanoprotec® and Animab’s promising pipeline, but also on the proven credibility of its leadership. Having worked with Jan in previous ventures, we have full confidence in their ability to guide Animab to market success.”

Lead investors Sofie Baeten from Qbic, Kenneth Wils from PMV and Barbara Berckmans from AIF are adding: “With antimicrobial resistance posing an increasing global health crisis, solutions like Nanoprotec® are more urgent than ever. Animab offers a revolutionary solution to a long-standing challenge in livestock farming. Their antibiotic-free approach marks a major leap toward sustainable animal health – exactly the type of innovation the European farming sector needs.”

Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance with Nanoprotec®

Nanoprotec® is Animab’s first-in-class oral monoclonal antibody designed to target enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4, a leading cause of diarrhea in piglets that results in poor growth and high mortality rates. With over 60 million piglets affected annually in the EU, existing disease control strategies depend heavily on antibiotics. Nanoprotec® offers an effective, antibiotic-free alternative by preventing bacterial adhesion to the intestinal wall, thereby neutralizing pathogens before they become harmful. Administered via drinking water, the product delivers immediate immunity and a practical, scalable solution for farmers seeking sustainable livestock health strategies. Clinical trials have demonstrated a significant reduction in ETEC F4-related symptoms, supporting its potential to become a new standard in preventive care. A regulatory submission to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is planned by the end of 2025, with a market launch anticipated by the end of 2026. In addition to advancing animal health, Nanoprotec® also contributes to mitigating the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – a global crisis projected to cause up to 8 million deaths annually by 2050, according to a recent study (The Lancet, September 2024). By reducing reliance on antibiotics in animal production, Animab approach represents a critical step toward safeguarding both animal and public health.

For more information, please contact:

Alain Wille, CEO of Animab

Phone: +32 467 06 00 91

Email: alain.wille@animab.com

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Notes to the Editor

About Animab

Animab is a biotech company founded in 2020 as a spin off from VIB, UGent and VUB, dedicated to addressing the changing needs of livestock production. Leveraging proprietary research discoveries, Animab focuses on targeting gastrointestinal infections in animals. Its interdisciplinary team integrates cutting-edge research in animal science and biotechnology to advance product breakthroughs, cost-efficiency and sustainability in animal health. Led by experts in vaccines, biotechnology, business management and international marketing, Animab is committed to offering safe and sustainable solutions that enhance animal performance and well-being.

More information: www.animab.com

About QBIC

Qbic is a sector-agnostic seed and early-stage venture capital fund, focusing on creating impact through the transformation of technological breakthroughs into sustainable business. The fund’s goal is to support young innovative companies that valorise research from Qbic's knowledge partners. The fund typically participates in the first external investment round of a company and continues to support and invest in these companies throughout their growth. Across 3 funds, Qbic has close to € 200M in AUM. This operation benefits from the support from the European Union under the InvestEU Fund.

More information: www.qbic.be

About PMV

The Flemish investment company PMV is shaping the future of the Flemish economy. PMV finances promising companies from the very start, through to growth and internationalisation. PMV offers tailor-made financial solutions to entrepreneurs with a good business plan and a strong management team. It does so with capital, loans and guarantees. It also realises, with and for the government, and other partners, projects that are important for prosperity and well-being in Flanders. PMV has a portfolio with 1.9 billion euros under management.

More information: www.pmv.eu

About AIF

Agri Investment Fund BV (“AIF”) is the private equity and venture capital fund of the group Boerenbond (Farmers’ Union) and wishes through its investments to contribute directly or indirectly to a stronger and more sustainable agriculture and horticulture in Flanders and German speaking Belgium. Its investments have a focus within the Ag-Tech and Agro-Food domains aiming at stimulating innovation and as such helping to build a stronger agriculture of the future, allowing farmers and horticulturists to provide high-quality products at honest prices.

More information: www.aifund.be

About Seventure

Seventure Partners is a long-term equity investor who actively supports innovative companies aiming at generating positive impacts on People, Society, Sustainability and the Planet. With ~€1b net commitments under management as of the end of 2024, Seventure is a leading venture capital firm in Europe investing since 1997 in innovative businesses with high growth potential in two main fields: (i) Life Sciences (biotechnology, health & digital health, nutrition, #foodtech, blue economy, aquaculture, animal feed, ​ agriculture, sport & wellness…) with a particular focus on the microbiome, across Europe, Israel, Asia, Australia and North America, and (ii) Digital Technologies (fintech, retailtech, cybersecurity, etc.) in Europe, mainly France and Germany.

For more information: www.seventure.fr/en Twitter: @seventurep

About VIB

VIB is a leading life sciences research institute based in Belgium, operating in close partnership with the Flemish universities and renowned for its work in medical sciences, plant biology, microbiology, artificial intelligence and biotechnology. VIB's mission is to push the boundaries of scientific discovery, transform it into disruptive biotech innovations and support the growth of the life sciences ecosystem in Flanders (Belgium). ​ ​

VIB drives the translation of research discoveries into innovative products and technologies for patients and society. It does so by launching new spin-offs, licensing intellectual property to companies, engaging in dynamic partnerships and fostering talent development. VIB has created >40 spin-offs in the healthcare and agrifood sectors, attracting almost €2 billion in equity investment and has partnered intensely with private industry, generating over €350 million in income. VIB’s research has led to dozens of innovative products brought to market for medical, agriculture, and food applications, with many more in development. Eight of its spin-off companies have reached the clinical stage. ​

More information: www.vib.be ​

About V Bio

V-Bio Ventures ​ is an independent venture capital firm specialized in financing and supporting innovative life sciences companies. V-Bio Ventures was founded in 2015 and works closely with Belgium-based VIB, one of the world's leading research institutes in the life sciences. The fund invests across Europe in high growth potential start-ups and young companies targeting transformational innovations in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.

More information: ​ https://www.v-bio.ventures/

About Anacura

Anacura is the laboratory group of Griet Nuytinck. It’s active as an independent analytical centre of excellence in both healthcare and drug development.

More information: www.anacura.com

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¹ Press release dated 23 April 2025, Animab • Animab enters into an exclusive distribution agreement with Huvepharma to commercialise Nanoprotec® for ETEC protection in piglets in Europe