L'Aquila-based biotech startup ExoLab Italia has raised €5 million in Series A funding from DSM-Firmenich Ventures and CDP Venture Capital SGR to expand production of its plant-based exosome ingredients for nutraceutical and dermocosmetic products.
- Founded in 2020 by Mariantonia Logozzi, Stefano Fais, Lorenzo Cilli, and Valerio Carconi, ExoLab Italia specializes in plant-derived exosome technologies. The company harnesses extracellular vesicles extracted from organic Italian fruits and vegetables to develop innovative delivery systems for nutraceuticals, dermocosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
- These exosomes, which carry antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, deliver exceptional efficiency by enhancing bioavailability, optimizing absorption, and promoting cellular regeneration. ExoLab Italia’s technology ensures precise, controlled release, boosting the effectiveness of therapeutic products while ensuring safety and natural compatibility.
Details of the deal
- The investment was backed by DSM-Firmenich Ventures, a venture capital firm that supports startups in Health, Nutrition, Taste, Perfumery, and Beauty; Rome-based CDP Venture Capital; Linfa Fund, managed by Milan-based Riello Investimenti Sgr; and Maia Ventures.
- ExoLab Italia will use the €5 million funding to expand production with a new 1,000 m² lab, support international growth, and create 20 new jobs over the next three years, accelerating innovation in plant-derived exosome technologies.
"Our mission is clear: to bring innovative solutions based on plant-derived exosomes to the market—natural extracellular vesicles that are revolutionizing the way functional active ingredients are utilized. This investment allows us to consolidate our leadership position and look even more ambitiously toward international markets," ExoLab Italia's team, commented on LinkedIn.
