French Biotech SeaBeLife Secures €2 Million to Tackle Dry AMD and Severe Acute Hepatitis
October 3, 2025, 3:41 am
iXLife
Location: France, Ile-de-France, Marly-le-Roi
French biotech SeaBeLife secures €2 million in a pre-Series A funding round. This capital accelerates groundbreaking drug development for severe acute hepatitis and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The company pioneers a unique, dual-pathway approach, simultaneously inhibiting necroptosis and ferroptosis. Its lead candidates, SBL01 and SBL03, target critical unmet medical needs. Promising preclinical results affirm this first-in-class strategy. Clinical trials are set for 2026. New investors joined longstanding backers, bolstering SeaBeLife's mission to protect organs and transform treatment options. Total funding now reaches €9 million.
Roscoff-based SeaBeLife, a French biotech innovator, has successfully closed a pre-Series A funding round. The company secured €2 million. This investment propels its advanced drug candidates towards clinical development. SeaBeLife focuses on severe acute hepatitis and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These conditions represent significant unmet medical needs globally.
Founded in 2019, SeaBeLife aims to block cellular necrosis. This process contributes to many serious diseases. The company develops novel small molecules. These molecules target two major regulated cell death pathways. These pathways are necroptosis and ferroptosis. Their simultaneous inhibition is a cornerstone of SeaBeLife's strategy.
This dual-target approach is distinct. No other dual inhibitor for these pathways is currently available. The strategy protects organs from damage. It offers a potentially transformative treatment option. Such an approach could redefine therapies for rare, acute, and chronic diseases.
SeaBeLife's flagship programs target critical indications. SBL03 focuses on dry AMD. Specifically, it addresses geographic atrophy, a severe form of the disease. SBL01 is designed for severe acute hepatitis. Both areas lack adequate therapeutic alternatives. The potential market for these treatments spans billions of euros.
Recent preclinical results show significant promise. Early 2025 data confirmed SBL03's efficacy in geographic atrophy. Positive in vivo studies validate the company's scientific direction. This data supports moving the drug candidate closer to human trials.
This funding round marks a crucial step for SeaBeLife. It paves the way for the first clinical trials. These trials are scheduled to commence in 2026. The capital injection also strengthens the company's financial position. It ensures continued progress in its innovative pipeline.
Existing investors led the pre-Series A round. iXLife took the lead. Other longstanding shareholders included Breizh Angels, WeLikeStartup, Angels Santé, and Business Angels des Grandes Ecoles. Their continued support signals strong confidence. New investors also joined the syndicate. INEXT and Femmes Business Angels provided fresh capital. Femmes Business Angels is Europe's first women-only business angels’ network.
This expanded investor base brings new strategic insights. Marie-Pierre Sbardella joined the SeaBeLife Strategic Committee. She serves as General Secretary of Femmes Business Angels. Her expertise will support the company's strategic growth. The diverse investor group reflects broad belief in SeaBeLife's technology.
SeaBeLife has raised substantial capital since its inception. Total financing, combining equity and public funding, now stands at €9 million. This includes support from key French innovation bodies. Bpifrance, SATT Ouest Valorisation, Biotech Santé Bretagne, and Région Bretagne have all contributed. The company also received recognition as a winner of the i-Nov Competition 2024. This national grant accelerates high-potential startups.
The company's scientific foundation is robust. Morgane Rousselot, PhD, serves as CEO and Co-founder. She holds a biochemistry PhD from Sorbonne University. The research builds on work by Stéphane Bach, PhD (CNRS), Marie-Thérèse Dimanche-Boitrel (IRSET), and Claire Delehouzé, PhD (Scientific Director and Partner). Their combined expertise drives the novel research.
SeaBeLife's dual-pathway inhibition strategy resonates with modern drug development. It highlights a growing interest in multi-target approaches. This is especially true for complex pathological mechanisms. The company's unique approach positions it as a key player. It could deliver a new generation of cutting-edge treatments.
The company is actively preparing for a larger Series A funding round. This subsequent round will further sustain its momentum. It will fund the crucial clinical studies. It will also scale up the development of its entire pipeline. This future investment will enable broader therapeutic impact.
Millions of patients suffer from dry AMD and severe acute hepatitis. Current treatment options are limited. SeaBeLife’s therapies could unlock new possibilities. Their success could transform outcomes for these underserved patient populations. The company's work promises significant advancements in global healthcare. It offers hope for new, effective medical interventions.
Roscoff-based SeaBeLife, a French biotech innovator, has successfully closed a pre-Series A funding round. The company secured €2 million. This investment propels its advanced drug candidates towards clinical development. SeaBeLife focuses on severe acute hepatitis and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These conditions represent significant unmet medical needs globally.
Founded in 2019, SeaBeLife aims to block cellular necrosis. This process contributes to many serious diseases. The company develops novel small molecules. These molecules target two major regulated cell death pathways. These pathways are necroptosis and ferroptosis. Their simultaneous inhibition is a cornerstone of SeaBeLife's strategy.
This dual-target approach is distinct. No other dual inhibitor for these pathways is currently available. The strategy protects organs from damage. It offers a potentially transformative treatment option. Such an approach could redefine therapies for rare, acute, and chronic diseases.
SeaBeLife's flagship programs target critical indications. SBL03 focuses on dry AMD. Specifically, it addresses geographic atrophy, a severe form of the disease. SBL01 is designed for severe acute hepatitis. Both areas lack adequate therapeutic alternatives. The potential market for these treatments spans billions of euros.
Recent preclinical results show significant promise. Early 2025 data confirmed SBL03's efficacy in geographic atrophy. Positive in vivo studies validate the company's scientific direction. This data supports moving the drug candidate closer to human trials.
This funding round marks a crucial step for SeaBeLife. It paves the way for the first clinical trials. These trials are scheduled to commence in 2026. The capital injection also strengthens the company's financial position. It ensures continued progress in its innovative pipeline.
Existing investors led the pre-Series A round. iXLife took the lead. Other longstanding shareholders included Breizh Angels, WeLikeStartup, Angels Santé, and Business Angels des Grandes Ecoles. Their continued support signals strong confidence. New investors also joined the syndicate. INEXT and Femmes Business Angels provided fresh capital. Femmes Business Angels is Europe's first women-only business angels’ network.
This expanded investor base brings new strategic insights. Marie-Pierre Sbardella joined the SeaBeLife Strategic Committee. She serves as General Secretary of Femmes Business Angels. Her expertise will support the company's strategic growth. The diverse investor group reflects broad belief in SeaBeLife's technology.
SeaBeLife has raised substantial capital since its inception. Total financing, combining equity and public funding, now stands at €9 million. This includes support from key French innovation bodies. Bpifrance, SATT Ouest Valorisation, Biotech Santé Bretagne, and Région Bretagne have all contributed. The company also received recognition as a winner of the i-Nov Competition 2024. This national grant accelerates high-potential startups.
The company's scientific foundation is robust. Morgane Rousselot, PhD, serves as CEO and Co-founder. She holds a biochemistry PhD from Sorbonne University. The research builds on work by Stéphane Bach, PhD (CNRS), Marie-Thérèse Dimanche-Boitrel (IRSET), and Claire Delehouzé, PhD (Scientific Director and Partner). Their combined expertise drives the novel research.
SeaBeLife's dual-pathway inhibition strategy resonates with modern drug development. It highlights a growing interest in multi-target approaches. This is especially true for complex pathological mechanisms. The company's unique approach positions it as a key player. It could deliver a new generation of cutting-edge treatments.
The company is actively preparing for a larger Series A funding round. This subsequent round will further sustain its momentum. It will fund the crucial clinical studies. It will also scale up the development of its entire pipeline. This future investment will enable broader therapeutic impact.
Millions of patients suffer from dry AMD and severe acute hepatitis. Current treatment options are limited. SeaBeLife’s therapies could unlock new possibilities. Their success could transform outcomes for these underserved patient populations. The company's work promises significant advancements in global healthcare. It offers hope for new, effective medical interventions.