”After years of research we suddenly realised how to combine our findings. It was a eureka moment.”
The Amferia story:
Amferia was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, when three PhD researchers who had been collaborating for five years had the idea to combine their findings. In 2016, after several conversations among themselves, Amferia founders Saba Atefyekta, Anand Kumar Rajasehkaran and Martin Andersson conceived a new class of antimicrobial material while working at Chalmers University of Technology .
The approach was to utilise antimicrobial peptides—a potent antimicrobial molecule that Saba Atefyekta was investigating for biomaterial applications — in combination with a new amphiphilic hydrogel developed by Anand Rajasekharan for his PhD research on synthetic bone.
Within the first two weeks, we noted that the idea was sound and worked perfectly, which is a rarity in science”
During a conference visit to Montreal in May 2016, Saba, Anand and Martin dove deeper into discussions and realized their combined research had uncovered potential for real-world biomedical applications. ”After all these years of research we suddenly realised how to combine our findings. It was a eureka moment,” said Saba.
Excited by their discoveries, Saba and Anand returned to the lab and initiated the first trial runs, synthesizing the material and testing it on bacteria. “Within the first two weeks,we noted that the idea was sound and worked perfectly, which is a rarity in science,” said Anand.
After months of trials and more trials focused on optimizing the commercial viability of the product, the founders knew their idea had life beyond the lab and science publications. They knew they could develop a new, innovative product to target and kill bacteria in medical applications.
The team immediately reached out to the innovation arm of Chalmers University and filed for a patent. Then they engaged in intense market research, while continuing further experiments on resistant bacteria.
By late 2017, the first patent was filed, the hydrogel had been proven to kill bacteria — including numerous resistant bacteria — and was safely used in biological environments without toxicity. Most importantly, the founders agreed their first product using the new technology should address wound care.
By late 2017, the first patent was filed, the material proven to kill bacteria including numerous resistant bacteria
With further support from Chalmers innovation Office and a seed funding from Chalmers Ventures, Amferia was officially incorporated in September 2018. Both Anand and Saba, completed their PhDs and jumped on board to continue their full-time journey, translating fundamental research into new products for human and animal health.
Today Amferia is a talented team of seven, with dedicated personnel for business development, sales, clinical development, product development and production.
Protected by strong patents granted in Europe, the U.S. and China
Patent portofolio:
Amferia’s innovation is protected by three strong patent families. The basic patent is already in force in China, the U.S. and Europe, and pending in several other countries. Ongoing R&D continues to generate new patent applications.
Currently, strong patent protection extends over Amferia’s core technology and key intellectual property, creating the potential for rapid and robust growth into human and animal health care. Because the patents extend to both the U.S. and Europe, Amferia is poised to enter partnerships that enable market leadership well into the future.
Amferia's patent families
— Antimicrobial hydrogel technology (Application nr. 17512773) was filed in 6 countries and granted in Europe, the US and China, pending in the remaining countries. The patent is the foundation of Amferia's innovation and claims a new amphiphilic antimicrobial material, a device comprising the antimicrobial material and a method to produce the same.
— Mesoporous elastomer technology is Amferia's second patent family that claims a tough and nanostructured elastomeric material for various medical device applications.
— Utilizing antimicrobial technology in spray form was filed in 2020 and is currently granted in Sweden (1951495-9) and expected to be granted in other countries by early 2023. Utilizing the Amferia antimicrobial technology in spray form that can be applied to deeper wounds, bleeding wounds and surfaces for rapid disinfection.
Amferia has been recognised by numerous organisations for its innovative research, entrepreneurial drive, business traction in multiple sectors and swift progress towards clinical translation.
Anand Rajasekharan, PhD, CEO & Co-founder. Anand holds a PhD in Materials Science from Chalmers University of Technology and is one of the inventors of the material platform serving Amferia’s healthcare technology.
Saba Atefyekta, PhD, Sales Director & Co-founder.Co- inventor behind Amferia’s technology. Holds a PhD in Materials Science from Chalmers University and her thesis describes the antimicrobial platform of Amferia’s technology. Today, she leads business development in human and animal health.
Martin Andersson, PhD, R&D Director & Co-founder. Fifteen years’ experience in biomedical research with 100 scientific publications. He has previously started a med-tech company for bone implants with successful implementation of products into the market. Professor, Materials Science at Chalmers University.
Ingvar Karlsson, CFO. Previously CFO from both public and private companies covering life science and medtech, automotive and premium consumer goods spanning over 40 years.
Daniel Hagberg, PhD, CTO. Ten years experience in product development and manufacturing from the speciality chemicals and healthcare industry. PhD in Materials Science from Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
Rojan Modaresi, DVM, PhD, Product Manager, Animal Health. Responsible for Amferia’s wound products for animal care and works at the interface between product development and customer interaction at veterinary clinics across Europe. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and PhD in Microbiology from Urmia University, Iran.
Edvin Blomstrand, PhD., Research Engineer. Responsible for the product design and device optimization for wound care applications. Skilled in material design, antimicrobial testing and cell-material assessment. PhD in Materials Science from Chalmers University.
Board of Directors
Agneta Edberg, Chair. Previously Nordic Senior VP of Mylan, COO Bactiguard, Marketing Director at Pharmacia, Pfizer and CEO NM Pharma and several life science board assignments
Björn Engström. Previously Co-founder and Copywriter at Forsman & Bodenfors, several board assignments in scale-up companies and experienced in life-science marketing
Saba Atefyekta, PhD, Co-founder. PhD in Materials Science from Chalmers University and co-inventor of Amferia Technology
Martin Andersson, PhD, Co-founder. Professor in Materials Science at Chalmers University and co-inventor of Amferia Technology. Co-founder of Promimic AB, an bone-implant scale-up.
Ulrika Åberg. Investment manager at Almi Invest, previously IP lawyer at Mölnlycke Health care.
Alexandra De Wever Treschow, PhD, Experienced CEO of life science companies, presently CEO of NordX Pharma, previously at Aprovix AB, PhD in Gene Therapy
Jonas Bergman, Investment manager at Chalmers Ventures, previously CEO of life science company Integrum, and consultant at Triathlon AB
Advisors
Dr. Christian Nees, Clinical Advisor Animal Health, Veterinary surgeon with 35 years of experience in surgery and wound care. Previously the head of Animal Health Hospital in Weingarten (Kleintierzentrum Weingarten), Germany.
Amferia’s technology recognized as one of the top 100 research based innovations of 2021 by the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.
Amferia & Triolab announce partnership to launch innovative wound care products for animal health
May 6, 2021
The joint partnership with Triolab will enable Amferia to reach the large Swedish veterinary market where wound care and infection prevention is of prime importance, which has been intensified with the growing threat of antibiotic resistant infections. Amferia and Triolab’s partnership will build on extensive data and feedback from Amferia’s ongoing product trials across Europe. The joint efforts will aim to market the products to selective veterinary clinics across Sweden during 2021 and further expansion in 2022.
Amferia raises SEK 6.2 million in pre-seed investment
January 22, 2020
Almi Invest, Chalmers Ventures, along with the British investor Corithinan Properties Ltd. and Let’s Deal Founder Alexander Hars have invested a total of SEK 6.2 million in the Gothenburg-based med-tech company Amferia, who has developed a wound care product with a patented material that actively combats infections and kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
“Every year, 700,000 people die globally as a result of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and almost half of the infections begin with a simple wound on the skin. Amferia's wound care solution is a game-changer and will save lives”, says Louise Warme, Investment Manager at Almi Invest.
Amferia establishes R&D operations at AstraZeneca’s BioVentureHub
October 28, 2019
Amferia is very excited to move into the BioVentureHub, given the strong benefits of operating in a flourishing environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure dedicated to medtech and life science companies. We are also eager to be around so many experts within life science ranging from established to early-stage companies researching in biopharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics. Amferia looks forward to be part of, learn and grow in this supportive and exciting community.
At the Annual Veterinary Hygiene Conference 2019
October 24, 2019
We had the pleasure to attend the annual Veterinary Hygiene Conference in Knivsta, Stockholm. One of the primary questions of this conference was about handling antibiotic resistant infections in animal wound care – a fast growing problem in Sweden and Globally. Many interesting & enlightening discussions with expert veterinary clinicians taught us a lot about the needs and challenges in animal wound care and how Amferia might expand its innovative solutions to help veterinary healthcare. Thanks for a great conference VVHF.
Amferia wins the Start-up of the Year award at Venture Cup Sweden 2019
September 20, 2019
The Jury's motivation for choosing Amferia as the winners! “With its disruptive solution, the team has the opportunity to shake several industries as they tackle one of humanity’s greatest global threats. By addressing a world problem, millions of lives will be saved. By changing the behavior of the consumer, there is also the potential to reform the market.”
Amferia receives the prestigious EU SME Instrument (Phase 1) grant from the European Union
August 1, 2019
Amferia receives the highly competitive and coveted EU SME Instrument Phase 1 grant of 50 000 Euros along with the valuable business network to take forward our technology into the market.
Amferia presents at Brilliant Minds conference 2019, Stockholm
June 15, 2019
Amferia was honoured to pitch as one of the ‘Next Brilliant in Tech‘ at Brilliant Minds 2019 held at Stockholm between 13-15 June. With esteemed guests like President Barack Obama, Secretary John Kerry, Greta Thunberg, the conference was an enlightening and inspiring event with much hope for the future.
The Recent UN Report on Antibiotic Resistance
May 3, 2019
The United Nations appointed Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (IACG) has presented its report on Recommendations to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). It is clear from the report that AMR is a global and complex threat that needs to be addressed with extreme urgency and with care. Consistent, coordinated and conscious actions are demanded, especially from the World Goverments, Academia, Public, Healthcare-Industry and Agriculture. A world where bacterial infections cannot be fought efficiently is a world of perils.
Here is an excerpt from the IACG report.
“The challenges of antimicrobial resistance are complex and multifaceted, but they are not insurmountable. Implementation of the recommendations in this report will help to save millions of lives, preserve antimicrobials for generations to come and secure the future from drug-resistant diseases.
