Bulgarian venture capital fund LAUNCHub Ventures said on February 19 it has led a $4.2mn seed funding round for UK-based biotech startup GlycanAge, alongside UK deep-tech fund Kadmos Capital.

GlycanAge will use the funds to scale its business that lets users learn their biological age, as well as diversifying into the broader diagnostics market. 

GlycanAge is an international company; founded by University of Zagreb professor Gordan Lauc, it is supported by a Bulgarian team and is based in the UK. 

It specialises in measuring biological age, providing users with insights into the impact of lifestyle and environmental factors on the aging process. This approach empowers individuals to make informed decisions regarding their health and potentially enhance their overall well-being.

Now, however, the company is plans to diversify its focus beyond longevity and delve into the broader diagnostics market by developing disease-specific tests aimed at early detection. 

“We are happy to lead a $4.2mn seed funding round for GlycanAge, a biotech startup at the forefront of glycan biomarker research, alongside the UK-based deep-tech fund, Kadmos Capital Ltd," LAUNCHub said in a press release. 

The injection of capital marks a strategic shift for GlycanAge. “With the fresh money, GlycanAge wants to shift away from the longevity space to the broader diagnostics market, aiming to develop disease-specific tests that catch illnesses early,” the investor added. 

LAUNCHub Ventures has a current fund of €74mn and focuses on early-stage tech startups in Central and Southeastern Europe and diaspora founders in global technological hubs.