Solvay Invests in UK Biotech Startup
Belgian chemical company Solvay is investing an undisclosed sum in Invizius, a UK biotech start-up that is developing a proprietary anti-inflammatory solution for hemodialysis. The spin-out of Edinburgh University will use the funds to complete a First-in-Man safety study of its H-Guard Priming anti-inflammatory product, which is designed to address the side effects of dialysis and other extra-corporeal treatments.
Solvay said the need for hemodialysis is rising globally, due to a combination of aging populations, increasing kidney failure factors such as obesity, and better access to healthcare, particularly in Asia where the number of untreated patients is estimated to be high.
There are currently three million dialysis patients worldwide who receive treatment multiple times a week and this number is set to increase by 6% year on year. According to Solvay, the worldwide market for H-Guard is estimated to be worth in excess of £1.5 billion.
“As part of our commitment to improve people’s lives through innovative advanced materials, we are investing in healthcare startups with out-of-the box solutions for which our portfolio could make the difference,” said Thomas Canova, head of Solvay Ventures. “As a company that leads in solutions for hemodialysis, we see a great deal of promise in Invizius’ innovative project and believe it could be a game changer for people who suffer from kidney failure.”
Solvay’s Udel and Veradel high-performance polysulfone polymers have been used in hemodialysis for more than 25 years.
Invizius has received £5 million in total from seven investors, including Solvay.
Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
