Seventure debuts in Japan with microbiome investment

Anaeropharma Science is based in Tokyo. It develops novel genetically enhanced bacteria to fight tumours. The company’s lead product APS001F is based on an obligate anaerobic bacterium. Bifidobacterium longum can only proliferate in the hypoxic core of solid tumours, where it secretes the enzyme cytosine deaminase turning a systemically administered prodrug into a cytotoxic agent, which hollows out the tumour from the inside. The company is currently conducting a Phase Ib/IIa trial of APS001F in patients with advanced solid tumours in the USA. Lead investor Seventure points out that the investment of US$13.2m (€11.6m) will strengthen a Japanese leader in the microbiome sector. Anaeropharma will use the financing to accelerate the development of multiple programmes based on its proprietary platform technology.

Seventure Partners invests alongside Novartis Pharma and Japanese investors Shinsei Corporate Investment Limited, Innovation Network Corporation of Japan and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital. This is Seventure’s first investment in a Japanese company, the Paris-based venture capital firm declared. “There is a huge market opportunity for novel treatments that harness the specific capabilities of microbiome-derived bacteria. Anaeropharma Science is developing a pioneering approach to the cancer therapy, which may powerfully complement other axes of modern oncology research,” said Isabelle de Cremoux, CEO and Managing Partner of Seventure Partners. “The Company’s innovative R&D is a great fit for our Health For Life Capital investment vehicle.” Eric de La Fortelle, Venture Partner at Seventure Partners, will have a Board observer seat in the company.

In the life sciences, Seventure focuses on four areas of interest, including the investment topic microbiome, nutrition, foodtech and personalised medicine. Investments can range between €500k and €10m per round, or up to €20m per company, from early to late stage.