BioInnovation Institute, the Copenhagen-based life science incubator, is channelling €1.3 million more into each of six companies in its portfolio—PanTarg, 3Sonic, Inia Biosciences, Yngvi Bio, Proxi Biotech and Sagava. The fresh capital, structured as convertible loans, lifts each company's total backing from the institute to €1.8 million. The funding will help these ventures push their technologies toward the market, spanning fields from antibody-driven oncology and AI-enhanced surgical imaging to biological pest management and waste-based maritime fuels.

Alongside the capital injection, the six firms will deepen their access to BII's Copenhagen innovation hub, which houses laboratory space, a network of global investors and advisors, and strategic partnerships. The institute aims to help these startups mature their offerings, strengthen their operational foundations, draw in additional external backing and bring their products closer to commercial viability.

About BioInnovation Institute

Founded in 2017 by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, BII operates as a non-profit incubator focused on early-stage life science ventures. The organisation backs companies working across human health, planetary health and societal resilience through grants and convertible loans, paired with laboratory and office space, mentoring and business development guidance. Its support spans the full arc from early research through startup formation, proof-of-concept validation and scaling phases. BII works across a network of researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and industry players to nurture research-driven life science businesses from conception to commercialisation.

The six companies

Each of the six firms had previously drawn €0.5 million from BII. With this latest round, they now hold a combined €1.8 million in institute backing.

Trine Bartholdy, Chief Business Officer at BII, framed the moment as pivotal for the cohort.

The six companies have demonstrated strong potential and have already taken important steps from promising research to developing solutions that can make a real difference. With continued funding, they have the opportunity to accelerate their development and focus even more on their path towards the market.

Trine Bartholdy, Chief Business Officer at BII

Bartholdy emphasised that BII's role extends beyond capital provision.

It is precisely at this stage that the combination of capital, strong expertise and the right network can make a decisive difference. We see significant potential in all six companies, and our role is to help them turn their technologies into sustainable businesses and products that can create value for patients, society and investors.

Trine Bartholdy

PanTarg

The company is engineering a dual-action antibody therapy targeting aggressive malignancies, with pancreatic cancer as a priority area where treatment options remain limited. A spin-out from the University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet, PanTarg was founded by researchers Lars H. Engelholm and Virginia Metrangolo. The venture is also part of a major research initiative running from 2026 to 2030, backed by the Innovation Fund Denmark, that explores how therapeutics can traverse the blood-brain barrier.

3Sonic

This company is building an imaging platform combining 3D ultrasound with artificial intelligence to give surgeons real-time visibility into cancer tissue during procedures. The technology aims to boost surgical precision and patient outcomes. 3Sonic emerged from Rigshospitalet and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

Inia Biosciences

Inia is developing therapeutic approaches for inflammatory conditions, beginning with psoriasis. The venture seeks to reshape how inflammation is treated and deliver more potent options for patients. The company originated from innovation ecosystems in Boston and Oxford.

Yngvi Bio

Yngvi is crafting biological pest management solutions that safeguard crops while minimising harm to ecosystems, biodiversity and human wellbeing. The approach supports more environmentally sound agricultural systems. A spin-out from the University of Copenhagen, the company targets sustainable food production.

Proxi Biotech

Proxi is creating a vaccine-based immunotherapy to address recurring bacterial infections. Its lead programme focuses on recurrent Clostridium difficile infections, which can become persistent and debilitating. The therapy offers a potential alternative to faecal microbiota transplantation.

Sagava

Sagava is tackling maritime sector emissions by converting waste streams into sustainable biofuels and energy. The technology supports shipping decarbonisation through waste-derived biogenic fuels. A spin-out from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), the company aims to lower CO₂ output from the shipping industry.

Source: ArcticStartup