In a groundbreaking move that highlights the role of innovation in fighting global health challenges, Danish biotech company SNIPR Biome has raised €35 million in a Series B funding round in 2025. The funding aims to support the development of CRISPR-based therapies targeting antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly in diseases like cancer and cystic fibrosis. This article provides a step-by-step guide on SNIPR’s efforts, along with insights on innovation and entrepreneurial lessons for startups.
Introduction: Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance is becoming an alarming global threat, making treatments for infectious diseases and cancer-related complications less effective. SNIPR Biome’s cutting-edge technology, focusing on CRISPR-based microbiome editing and pathogen targeting, represents a revolutionary approach to addressing this crisis.
With funding led by prestigious organizations such as the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and SPRIN-D, SNIPR Biome is advancing medical science while setting an example for startups looking to create impactful solutions.
SNIPR Biome’s Path to €35 Million
1. A Game-Changing Technology
SNIPR Biome’s microbial CRISPR-medicine selectively eliminates antibiotic-resistant bacteria without harming beneficial microbiota. Their lead product, SNIPR001, is in a Phase 1b clinical trial aimed at preventing bloodstream infections in cancer patients. Other efforts include targeting airway infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis patients.
2. International Funding Efforts
Key contributors to this funding round include reputable European and global organizations:
- SPRIN-D: A German federal innovation agency focused on transformative technologies.
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: A leader in funding CF-related medical breakthroughs.
- Lundbeckfonden BioCapital: A Danish investment firm specializing in biotech advancements.
Learn more about SPRIN-D and their approach to funding innovation.
3. Milestones Achieved
- First in Humans: SNIPR became the first company globally to administer an oral CRISPR therapeutic to humans.
- Patent Success: They achieved European and U.S. patents for microbiome-specific CRISPR targeting.
- Global Partnerships: Collaborations include CARB-X, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and more.
SNIPR Biome’s CEO, Dr. Christian Grøndahl, stated:
“This latest investment is a testament to our commitment to innovation and tackling one of the most urgent medical issues of our time: antimicrobial resistance.”
Lessons for Entrepreneurs: Building Bold Startups
Steps for Innovating in High-Stakes Markets
- Identify a Global Problem: SNIPR focused on AMR, a universally recognized crisis.
- Collaborate with Key Players: Establish partnerships with scientific institutions and funding partners for credibility.
- Secure IP Early: Patents gave SNIPR Biome the edge in a competitive biotech landscape.
- Test Bold Ideas: Their decision to administer CRISPR therapies in humans marked a milestone and opened the doors for further trials.
How to Secure Funding for Your Startup
Find and Apply for Grants with F/MS AI Grant Finder
Navigating EU grants is often complex. Luckily, the F/MS AI Grant Finder and Application Writer helps startups identify suitable grants and drafts applications tailored to them. Simply input details about your project, and the AI tool handles the rest.
Steps to Use It:
- Define your startup’s mission and goals.
- Upload essential data about your business.
- Let the tool analyze and generate a grant application draft to boost your chances of securing funding.
Startup founders globally are already leveraging this tool to support their scaling efforts.
PlayPal: The AI Co-Founder for Startup Founders
For entrepreneurs looking for guidance, PlayPal is your AI companion tailored just for you! Whether you're brainstorming ideas, refining business models, or navigating funding applications, PlayPal acts as your virtual mentor.
Key Features of PlayPal:
- Problem Validation: Ensure your startup addresses a real issue.
- Custom Advice: Engage in tailored discussions based on your startup goals.
- 24/7 Support: Your AI is always available, ready to chat and offer insights.
Founded by gamepreneur Violetta Bonenkamp, PlayPal is part of the Fe/male Switch platform, which empowers entrepreneurs, especially women, to thrive in STEM.
Most Common Mistakes Startups Should Avoid
- Neglecting Impactful Collaborations: Failing to network with industry leaders or funding agencies can hinder growth.
- Underestimating Regulatory Hurdles: In biotech and high-tech sectors, compliance is essential.
- Skipping Idea Validation: Validating your concept early prevents wasted resources on unfeasible solutions.
Conclusion: Innovators Lead the Future
SNIPR Biome’s €35 million funding achievement signifies a turning point in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. With cutting-edge CRISPR technologies, robust collaborations, and strategic funding, they offer lessons for every startup founder seeking to solve global problems.
For entrepreneurs eager to follow in their footsteps, tools like the F/MS AI Grant Finder and PlayPal AI Friend ensure access to funding, mentorship, and startup resources.
Innovation is the way forward. The question is: What will your startup accomplish?
FAQ
1. What is SNIPR Biome’s focus in biotechnology?
SNIPR Biome specializes in developing CRISPR-based therapies to target antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by selectively eradicating harmful antibiotic-resistant bacteria without damaging beneficial microbiota. Visit SNIPR Biome’s website.
2. How much funding did SNIPR Biome recently secure?
SNIPR Biome raised €35 million in a Series B funding round in August 2025 to advance CRISPR-based therapies addressing AMR. Read the funding announcement on EU-Startups.
3. Who were the major contributors to SNIPR Biome’s Series B funding?
Contributors include the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, SPRIN-D, Lundbeckfonden BioCapital, Wellington Partners, and North-East Family Office. Learn more about SPRIN-D.
4. What is SNIPR Biome’s flagship product?
SNIPR001 is the company’s lead product, currently in Phase 1b clinical trials. It aims to prevent bloodstream infections in cancer patients. Check out the SNIPR001 trial listing.
5. Which partnerships are accelerating SNIPR Biome’s progress?
Key collaborations include CARB-X, MD Anderson Cancer Center, SPRIN-D, and the Gates Foundation. Explore CARB-X funding initiatives.
6. What makes SNIPR Biome’s technology revolutionary?
Their CRISPR-Cas microbial medicine targets antibiotic-resistant pathogens safely by preserving beneficial microbiota, addressing AMR effectively. Discover SNIPR Biome’s approach.
7. How has SNIPR Biome innovated in CRISPR therapies?
SNIPR Biome is the first company globally to administer oral CRISPR therapies to humans, marking an industry milestone. Learn more about their achievement on Globenewswire.
8. Which diseases does SNIPR Biome aim to address with its therapies?
Their treatments focus on infections associated with cancer and cystic fibrosis, including bloodstream infections and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
9. How did SNIPR Biome secure patents for their technology?
SNIPR Biome achieved U.S. and European patents for microbiome-specific CRISPR targeting, protecting their innovation in microbial medicine.
10. What lessons can startups learn from SNIPR Biome’s journey?
Key takeaways include prioritizing impactful collaborations, securing intellectual property early, and identifying global health problems for innovative solutions. Learn entrepreneurial lessons inspired by SNIPR Biome.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch. The Fe/male Switch team is located in several countries, including the Netherlands and Malta.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
