Leyden Labs Secures $70 Million to Advance Nasal Antibody Technology Against Respiratory Viruses
Leyden Laboratories B.V., an Amsterdam-based biotech company, has announced raising $70 million in funding to further develop its innovative Mucosal Protection Platform. This groundbreaking approach aims to protect against respiratory viruses such as influenza and coronaviruses by deploying broadly protective antibodies through intranasal administration, offering an alternative to traditional vaccines.

Leyden Laboratories B.V., an Amsterdam-based biotech company, has announced raising $70 million in funding to further develop its innovative Mucosal Protection Platform. This groundbreaking approach aims to protect against respiratory viruses such as influenza and coronaviruses by deploying broadly protective antibodies through intranasal administration, offering an alternative to traditional vaccines.
The funding round was co-led by ClavystBio, a life sciences venture investor founded by Temasek, and Polaris Partners, with additional participation from Qiming Venture Partners and existing investors. The company’s robust network of venture capital backers includes prominent names like GV (formerly Google Ventures), Casdin Capital, F-Prime Capital, ClavystBio, Polaris Partners, Qiming Venture Partners, Invus, Byers Capital / Brook Byers, Bluebird Ventures, and Softbank Vision Fund 2.
The proceeds from this funding will be utilized to advance Leyden Labs’ pipeline of nasal spray candidates, which aim to provide broad-spectrum protection against respiratory viruses. Among these candidates is PanFlu, a product that leverages the monoclonal antibody CR9114, currently under development for influenza prevention. The company plans to initiate human efficacy studies for PanFlu while continuing research and development under its Mucosal Protection Platform.
Koenraad Wiedhaup, co-founder and CEO of Leyden Labs, emphasized the significance of this funding in addressing the urgent need for better protection against viral outbreaks. “At Leyden Labs, we’re working to stop infections early by delivering antibody-based formulations directly to the nasal mucosa – eliminating the threat of respiratory viruses directly at the very gate through which they enter.” He further highlighted the relevance of their work, particularly in light of recent developments with avian flu (H5N1), which underscore the need for proactive measures against emerging viral threats.
Khoo Shih, CEO of ClavystBio, who will join Leyden Labs’ Supervisory Board, noted, “We are pleased to partner with Leyden Labs to advance the mission of protecting the world from the burden of known and new respiratory viruses.” He also underlined the company’s commitment to accelerating the development of innovative health technologies with global implications.
In addition to the funding announcement, Leyden Labs revealed the acquisition of CoV Biotechnology Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based biotech company. This acquisition enhances the company’s research and development capabilities, bringing in assets developed by Linfa Wang, a professor of emerging infectious diseases at Duke-NUS Medical School. The addition of CoV Biotechnology’s resources will bolster Leyden Labs’ pandemic preparedness efforts and strengthen its collaborations across Asia.
Leyden Labs is dedicated to mitigating the threat of respiratory viruses by creating a portfolio of innovative nasal sprays. By targeting the mucosal tissues where viruses typically enter the body, the company seeks to provide broad and effective protection against existing and future viral threats. With this recent funding and acquisition, Leyden Labs is well-positioned to advance its mission and contribute significantly to global health innovation.