Catalyze Capital invests in Breye Therapeutics to advance pioneering oral treatments for retinal diseases

29 September 2026 – Catalyze Capital, Catalyze Group’s investment fund, has invested in Breye Therapeutics ApS as part of a €67.5 million Series A financing round, supporting the Copenhagen-based biopharmaceutical company as it advances danegaptide and its pipeline of oral treatments for retinal diseases.

The financing will primarily support the advancement of danegaptide, Breye’s first-in-class oral treatment candidate for Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR), into a randomized Phase II clinical trial expected to commence in 2027. It will also support the continued development of Breye’s broader pipeline, including a P2X7 receptor antagonist for intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD) and additional neuroprotective programmes in glaucoma.

Advancing a new approach to treating retinal disease

Danegaptide is a novel small molecule designed to stabilize retinal blood vessels and protect against retinal capillary breakdown and vascular leakage caused by chronically elevated blood glucose levels.

By providing a non-invasive oral alternative to existing eye injection therapies, danegaptide has the potential to improve treatment accessibility and patient adherence, particularly for patients with earlier-stage disease.

The financing follows the successful completion of a Phase Ib clinical trial in patients with NPDR, in which danegaptide was well tolerated across all dose levels and demonstrated early signs of clinical activity. It also follows the publication of scientific findings supporting danegaptide in Science Translational Medicine, providing further support for the therapeutic approach.

Catalyze Capital supports Breye through its next stage of clinical development

Catalyze Capital invests in early-stage European companies applying science and technology to develop innovations with the potential to positively impact people’s lives and the health of the planet. The investment in Breye Therapeutics reflects the fund’s focus on advancing high-impact innovations in Life Sciences, Sustainability and Deep Tech.

Catalyze Capital is investing alongside an international group of life sciences investors to support Breye as it advances danegaptide into Phase II development and continues to build its broader retinal disease pipeline.

Breye Therapeutic’s €67.5 million Series A financing was co-led by Mission BioCapital and Novo Holdings, with participation from existing investor Sound Bioventures and new investors including the Ljungström family office, Innovestor, EIFO, Catalyze Capital, Modi Ventures and Pappas Capital.

We look forward to working with Breye’s experienced leadership team and our co-investors as the company advances a much-needed potential treatment option for the approximately 130 million people worldwide affected by diabetic retinopathy, one of the leading causes of vision loss among working-age adults.

About Catalyze Capital

Catalyze Capital is a venture capital firm investing in early-stage European companies that apply science and technology to develop innovations with the potential to positively impact people’s lives and the health of the planet.

Part of Catalyze Group, Catalyze Capital works closely with Catalyze Innovation Consultants across scouting and selection, due diligence and portfolio management, drawing on more than 20 years of experience in advancing innovation and an extensive network of industrial and academic partners.

Based in Amsterdam, Catalyze Capital invests across high-tech sectors including Life Sciences, Sustainability and Deep Tech.