Nintx secures $10m to drive breakthrough therapies harnessing Brazilian biodiversity

Nintx (Next Innovative Therapeutics), a rising star in Brazil’s biotechnology sector, has successfully raised $10 million in a Series A funding round. This significant milestone, announced on December 13, 2024, comes on the heels of a $3 million seed investment in 2022. The funds will propel the development of innovative therapies for multifactorial diseases, a class of conditions linked to both genetic and environmental factors.

The Series A round, led by prominent venture capital firms Pitanga, Ecoa Capital, and MOV Investimentos, also received a boost from a $2.5 million grant provided by FINEP, a Brazilian public innovation agency. Notably, strategic partners Tiaraju and Adeste joined the funding, ensuring synergies that align with Nintx’s mission to deliver sustainable, biodiversity-driven solutions.

What Makes Nintx’s Approach Unique?

At the heart of Nintx’s strategy is the utilisation of Brazil’s unparalleled biodiversity to create therapies targeting multifactorial diseases, including metabolic disorders, cancer, immunological diseases, and neurological conditions. Unlike traditional drug development approaches, Nintx employs proprietary technologies such as xGIbiomics, which mimics the gastrointestinal system, and GAIApath, a data analytics platform mapping the complex relationships between natural products, the microbiome, and human health.

These technologies enable Nintx to pioneer treatments that modulate the human gut microbiome—a key player in multifactorial diseases—while addressing biological pathways directly. This dual-target approach holds the potential to create therapies with greater efficacy and fewer side effects.

“Our innovation lies in developing medicines that address the complexity of multifactorial diseases at their roots, bridging the gap between nature and cutting-edge science,” remarked co-founder and Chief Development Officer (CDO) Miller Freitas.

Expanding Biodiversity-Based Drug Development

Nintx is currently advancing eight drug development programs through collaborations with esteemed partners such as Adeste and Centroflora, as well as research institutions including CIEnP and CNPEM, the latter housing the renowned Sirius particle accelerator. These partnerships not only enhance the scientific rigor of its programs but also position the company as a leader in biodiversity-based drug development, a relatively untapped domain within the global pharmaceutical landscape.

The funds raised will enable the company to accelerate these programs, hire additional researchers, expand its laboratory capabilities, and integrate cutting-edge technologies. Nintx’s ultimate goal is to advance its therapies to the preclinical stage and then license them to major pharmaceutical companies for clinical development and commercialisation.

The company expects its first preclinical candidate to reach licensing agreements within the next three years, a timeline that underscores its strategic focus on rapid innovation.

Why Investors Are Paying Attention

The Series A round has generated considerable attention, not only for its scale—unprecedented in Brazil’s biotech sector—but also for its alignment with sustainable practices and social impact. Venture capital firms such as MOV Investimentos highlighted Nintx’s commitment to agroforestry practices, benefit-sharing agreements with local communities, and partnerships with small farmers as key factors influencing their investment decision.

Paulo Bellotti of MOV Investimentos noted that Nintx’s efforts to integrate biodiversity preservation with drug discovery represent a unique and socially responsible business model.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Perez from Pitanga expressed confidence in Nintx’s potential to follow the trajectory of successful U.S. and European biopharma startups, which have achieved substantial valuations by licensing innovative biotech therapies to global pharmaceutical giants.

Leadership Restructuring to Drive Growth

The funding coincides with a significant leadership transition at Nintx, aimed at guiding the company into its next growth phase. Stephani Saverio, a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with over 25 years of experience, will assume the role of CEO in January 2025. Saverio, who previously served as Global Vice President of Business Development at Knight Therapeutics, is expected to leverage her expertise to expand Nintx’s global reach.

The company’s co-founders will continue to play pivotal roles, with Miller Freitas transitioning to Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Cristiano Guimarães remaining as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). Freitas emphasised that this restructuring aligns with Nintx’s strategy to establish itself as a global leader in biodiversity-based drug development.

Saverio highlighted the unique position of Nintx in the Brazilian pharmaceutical industry, stating, “We are pioneering a new path for Brazilian biotech by focusing on innovative, globally competitive therapies instead of replicating established technologies. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to transform Brazil’s standing in the global pharmaceutical sector.”

What’s Next for Nintx?

With its innovative approach, robust funding, and strategic leadership team, Nintx is poised to revolutionise the treatment landscape for multifactorial diseases. The startup’s ability to harness Brazil’s biodiversity, combined with its cutting-edge platforms and commitment to sustainability, positions it as a frontrunner in the rapidly growing field of biopharma startup growth.

As the company accelerates its pipeline, it remains committed to advancing therapies that are not only effective but also ethically sourced and environmentally sustainable. This dual focus on innovation and impact sets a new benchmark for Brazil’s biotech sector, paving the way for more startups to follow suit.

A New Era for Biotech in Brazil

Nintx’s success highlights the untapped potential of Brazil’s natural resources in driving pharmaceutical innovation. By focusing on biodiversity-based drug development, the company is setting a precedent for how the Brazilian pharmaceutical industry can leverage its unique assets to create therapies that address some of the world’s most complex health challenges.

As Nintx moves forward, it exemplifies the promise of integrating science, sustainability, and innovation to create a healthier, more equitable future.