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Research, Drug Development & Manufacturing
Research, Drug Development & ManufacturingCompany-Led Drug Development & CommercializationEarly-Stage Translational Research (Pre-Clinical)
Research, Drug Development & ManufacturingCompany-Led Drug Development & Commercialization
Lead program: Discovery

Biomia

1 Drug Candidate

Biomia is a Copenhagen-based synthetic biology company developing novel plant-inspired drug candidates for unmet medical needs in pain, addiction, and depression. Using a proprietary AI-assisted drug discovery engine and fermentation-based biomanufacturing platform, the company engineers Monoterpene Indole Alkaloid (MIA) derivatives — a large family of plant-derived bioactive compounds including ibogaine analogs — with optimised halogenation to improve ADME properties and therapeutic profiles.

Development Programmes

1

MIA Drug Discovery Platform

Discovery
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)Substance Use Disorders (SUD)

CNS disorders (pain, mental health, addiction, schizophrenia) — monoterpene indole alkaloid candidates via yeast biomanufacturing

Programme Tracker

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Primary: EU (EMA)
DiscoveryActive

Discovery-stage platform developing plant-inspired and "new-to-nature" halogenated small molecule drug candidates using engineered yeast. No named lead candidate yet. $3M pre-seed raised. Currently in second fundraising round targeting first candidate nomination and early IND-enabling studies. IRLAB collaboration (2026).

Milestones

Company milestone

Completed

Actual: Jan 1, 2022

Biomia founded in Copenhagen; spun out of EU MIAMI project ($10M) and Bio-Innovation Institute ($3M grant) research

Why it matters: Biomia's yeast biomanufacturing platform covers the broader monoterpene indole alkaloid (MIA) class — ibogaine, yohimbine, stemmadenine, and novel analogues. This is a broader approach than single-compound ibogaine companies. Copenhagen synthetic biology ecosystem (DTU/UCPH) is a strength.

Funding milestone

Completed

Actual: Sep 1, 2023

$3M pre-seed raised led by BlueYard Capital, with Amino Collective and Nucleus Capital

Why it matters: BlueYard Capital (European deep-tech VC) led the pre-seed, validating the biomanufacturing platform approach. $3M is modest but appropriate for discovery-stage synthetic biology.

Watch next: Second fundraising round and first candidate nomination

Company milestone

Completed

Actual: May 1, 2025

Frederick Westhorpe appointed CSO; co-founder Jie Zhang transitioned to CTO

Why it matters: Dedicated CSO appointment signals progression from academic platform work to directed drug discovery. Team expansion supports first candidate nomination.

Recorded Events

May 1, 2025: Company milestone

Sep 1, 2023: Funding milestone

Jan 1, 2022: Company milestone

Quick Facts

Type
Private Biotech
Founded
2022
Lead Stage
Discovery
Website
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