Dutch stem cell biotech Neuroplast secures € 10 million (US$ 11.5 million) in
Series B funding to further advance its transformative stem cell therapy for
Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
• € 10 million (US$ 11.5 million) raised to obtain conditional EMA market approval for
treatment of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
• Clinical Phase I trial successfully completed: Positive safety profile and well tolerated,
without product-related adverse effects
• International multi-center randomized placebo-controlled Phase II clinical study to be
started soon
• Solid foundation for first therapeutic area, additional funding sought to explore broader
potential of Neuro-Cells® technology platform in other primarily inflammation-driven
neurological disorders
Geleen, The Netherlands, 17 November, 2021 – Dutch clinical phase biotech Neuroplast raised a total
of € 10 million (US$ 11.5 million) in funding from investors Lumana Invest, Brightlands Venture
Partners, LIOF, and from the Innovation Credit from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, to further
advance the clinical development of a transformative treatment for Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
(TSCI). Neuroplast will use this Series B funding to obtain conditional EMA market approval for its
Neuro-Cells® stem cell therapy.
Annually, approximately 29,000 people across Europe and the USA suffer from acute Traumatic Spinal
Cord Injury (TSCI), for which effective treatment is currently unavailable. Patients usually experience
life-long disability and dependence, with a negative impact on quality of life. Furthermore, associated
costs for society at large are estimated at over €11.4 billion ($13 billion) per year.
With the aim of giving back perspective to people that suffer from primarily inflammation-driven
neurological disorders, Neuroplast has developed Neuro-Cells®, a treatment that uses the patient’s
own stem cells to prevent (further) loss of function during the acute phase after sustaining damage to
the spinal cord, to save mobility and independence.
Marcel Kloosterman, Managing Partner at Brightlands Venture Partners (BVP), states:
“The science behind Neuroplast’s technology platform is truly groundbreaking. A future in
which patients can make smart use of their own cells to put a stop to further neurological
damages and improve potential regeneration is getting closer and closer. For BVP it is a thrill
to be part of that fascinating journey.”
Neuroplast acquired a GMP1 license and received a European Orphan Designation2 that allows fasttrack development. Furthermore, it has already successfully completed a clinical Phase I trial, in
collaboration with Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos in Spain, that confirmed safety and tolerability,
without product-related adverse events. The Dutch Limburg-based biotech is currently preparing for
an international multi-center randomized placebo-controlled Phase II study.
Tys van Elk, Director at LIOF, adds:
“Our mission is to move together towards a smarter, more sustainable, and healthier Limburg.
We are pleased to see that the life sciences and health ecosystem in Limburg is a successful
breeding ground for innovative companies like Neuroplast, that can really make impact.”
Neuroplast will use the €10M (US$ 11.5M) Series B funding to take the next steps towards conditional
EMA market approval for TSCI, which includes running Phase II and III trials, consulting the EMA and
executing a Health Technology Assessment.
Next to the funded pathway for TSCI, Neuroplast aspires to explore applicability of the Neuro-Cells®
technology platform to other therapeutic areas.
Wim Smit, Managing Director at Lumana Invest, comments:
“We are not only excited about the clinical progress of Neuro-Cells® treatment for TSCI, but
also about the outlook of the technology to other conditions, such as Traumatic Brain Injury.”
Vincent The, Chief Financial Officer at Neuroplast, concludes:
“This funding enables us to complete the Neuro-Cells® development pathway for TSCI. With the
recent successful completion of our Phase I study, we now have both a good clinical as well as
a solid financial foundation in place. This puts us in a great position to start exploring the
broader potential of the Neuro-Cells® technology platform for other primarily inflammationdriven neurological disorders. For these activities, we are seeking complementary investment.”
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