Matisse raises €14M to push sepsis drug into phase 2 trials

What's the deal? Dutch clinical-stage biotech Matisse PharmaceuticalsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has raised €14 million in a Series A round to advance isupartob sodium, its experimental sepsis treatment, through phase 2 clinical development. The company-led round drew participation from Brightlands Venture PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, LIOF, private investors, and management.

What's the endgame? Matisse, founded in 2014 in Geleen, is developing isupartob to neutralise extracellular histones — proteins the immune system releases into the bloodstream during sepsis that damage cells and drive organ failure. By binding these histones, the therapy aims to reduce mortality in critically ill patients.

Why now? The proceeds will primarily fund the phase 2 trial, which chief executive officer Marcel Jacobs called an "important milestone" for the company. Completion is expected to yield data on the drug's safety, tolerability, and clinical activity in sepsis patients, shaping Matisse's next development steps.

By the numbers: The need is large. The World Health Organization ranks sepsis among the leading causes of death worldwide, with more than 20% of the 49 million people affected each year dying. No approved targeted treatment exists.

The signal: At €14 million, Matisse's raise sits in the modest range for a Series A, reflecting the capital constraints many European biotechs face when funding costly late-stage trials. Yet backing from regional investors like Brightlands and LIOF signals continued appetite for tackling one of critical care's most stubborn unmet needs.

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