Seed Round · €3.5M

Sepsis

The #1 cause of preventable in-hospital death.
Still without its proper treatment.

Sepsis could affect everyone, and ultimately leads to death or a long and painful recovery. It starts with a simple infection — a trauma, a surgery, a bacterial infection — that can rapidly escalate into sepsis. When it happens, patients are transferred to the ICU, where medical teams have the tools to manage organ failure caused by sepsis, but nothing to treat sepsis itself and prevent that failure.

SepsIgnite aims to change that through an integrated theranostic platform: combining a first-in-class drug with an early companion diagnostic and marker.

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14M

deaths per year — up to 21M during Covid

The #1 cause of preventable in-hospital death

€34B

therapeutic market

No direct competitor in the theranostic space

0.5%

of US GDP in annual healthcare costs

Sepsis is the single largest driver of hospital expenditure

The Problem

A life-threatening cascade. And no solution available.

Sepsis affects everyone, regardless of age or gender. Any infection can escalate to life-threatening sepsis within hours. In countries with intensive care access, 10% of deaths are attributed to sepsis and worldwide, the figure exceeds 20%.

Beyond mortality, sepsis causes extensive cellular damage leading to a prolonged and painful recovery lasting months or years. And when caught in time, there is nothing to give, no approved treatment targets the cascade itself.

Post-sepsis syndrome affects 50% of survivors: memory loss, chronic fatigue, recurring infections and post-traumatic stress — for months or years after discharge. Patients leave the ICU without ever being told they had sepsis.

Disease progression

During an infection, when the body perceives a dangerous situation, it reacts violently. What starts as a localized response progresses to sepsis, and the progression is very rapid, accelerating within a few hours. The mortality rate for sepsis without intensive care is extremely high. Sepsis can escalate further to septic shock or acute respiratory distress, both of which are fatal without intensive care.

Once sepsis has set in (as defined by Sepsis 3.0, Singer), the entire body is affected and at least one organ is failing, requiring organ support in the ICU. In septic shock and acute respiratory distress, multiple organ failures (MOF) are interrelated, requiring complex, multifaceted organ supports.

Diagnosis today

Currently, diagnosis is primarily clinical. It relies on the healthcare provider's experience, training, and expertise. Laboratory findings are helpful but none are considered a reliable marker of sepsis.

Diagnosis is based on: (i) identification of an infection via clinical presentation and microbiological results; (ii) organ failure; and (iii) a moderate increase in blood lactate, indicative of systemic distress, but not specific.

What intensive care can and cannot do

When started very early, aggressive treatment of the infection and moderate resuscitation can prevent progression to sepsis. After that, intensive care must be initiated very quickly (see The Surviving Sepsis Campaign). It enables survival, but does not stop sepsis. On the contrary, in this artificial state created by humans, sepsis will worsen. The body's response is generalized and dysregulated, and the damage it causes further exacerbates the condition.

There are a few treatments available for SARS-CoV-2-related sepsis, but they are not very effective. In the case of septic shock, low-dose corticosteroids can partially replace the adrenal response. There is currently no medication that can effectively control sepsis. Once the infection has been treated, sepsis in the ICU has only negative consequences — it is either fatal or results in a very painful recovery due to extensive cellular damage, including frequent post-traumatic stress.

References: Bone R. (Chest, 1992); T.I.M.E. (Sepsis Alliance); NEWS2; UK Sepsis Trust; Singer M. et al., Sepsis 3.0; The Surviving Sepsis Campaign.

10%

of deaths in countries with ICU access

Attributed to sepsis — exceeds 20% worldwide

24–72h

for blood culture results

The diagnostic gold standard — while the cascade progresses within hours

NONE

medication can effectively control sepsis

ICU ensures survival. It does not stop the cascade.

50%

of survivors develop post-sepsis syndrome

Memory loss, chronic fatigue, recurring infections, PTSD — months to years after discharge

Our Approach

Work with the body's response, not against it.

Most approaches tried to block messenger molecules called cytokines, or other cascades such as coagulation or complement. None focused on oxidation — the most effective enforcement mechanism between cells and pathogens. SepsIgnite takes a radically different path: restore vessel protection first, then address the source.

01 / Detect

5–8 hours of advance warning

Our proprietary biomarker signature identifies sepsis onset before clinical signs appear. Point-of-care compatible, lab-integrable. Defined CE & FDA pathway.

02 / Treat

First restore vessel protection, then fight the archer

Hyperactivated white blood cells (the "archer") release oxidants to fight pathogens — but those same oxidants destroy vessel walls. Selenoprotein-P infusion + ultra-rapid sodium selenite restores vascular integrity first, then addresses the hyperactivated immune cells at the source.

Most approaches tried to block messenger molecules called cytokines, activating immune cells (white blood cells, innate response), or other cascades such as coagulation or complement. None of them succeeded.

They did not focus on oxidation, which remains the most effective enforcement mechanism between cells or between cells and pathogens. In sepsis, hyperactivated white blood cells release oxidants in the fight against pathogens — but those same oxidants destroy vessel walls. SepsIgnite's approach: restore blood vessel protection first, then fight the archer (the hyperactivated white blood cells).

Forceville X., Van Antwerpen P., Preiser J.-C. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 2021. — Forceville X., Van Antwerpen P., Annane D., Vincent J.-L. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 2022.

03 / Integrate

Personalised care through theranostics

Combining diagnosis and treatment allows for personalised care. This is the way forward. The diagnostic creates the treatment indication. The treatment validates the diagnostic. Together: a proprietary care pathway and a defensible commercial moat, protected by foundational patents.

Track Record

Built on 80 years of research. Anchored on 30 years of clinical work. Protected by patents.

SepsIgnite's approach is grounded in more than 80 years of basic research in atomic and quantum biochemistry, translated through 30 years of pre-clinical and clinical work by the founding team.

600+

Animals studied

Small & large, across 3 leading European centers

Peer-reviewed publications

In leading biochemical journals, incl. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling 2021 & 2022

Phase II RCT completed

Multicenter randomised controlled trial, Meaux / Rennes

Patent granted

US Pat. 11,224,633 · EU prosecution in progress

Founder's Story

Why 30 years on one problem.

“Sepsis is a tragedy far more common than people realize. Patients leave the ICU without understanding what happened to them, and spend months recovering from something they were never told they had.

For over 70 years, since the birth of intensive care, we have been managing the consequences of this cascade without treating its cause. Intensive care can halve mortality. But survivors still face the post-sepsis syndrome. The cascade itself remains untouched.

What I found, through 30 years of work grounded in 80 years of fundamental biochemistry, is a radically different path. I am convinced it can transform sepsis: from a syndrome we endure, into a disease we detect early and treat at its source.”

Dr. Xavier Forceville CEO & CSO · SepsIgnite · Former Head of Critical Care, CHU Meaux

The Opportunity

A €34B market with no incumbent theranostic player.

Diagnostic · OECD

45M tests/yr · CE + FDA pathway

€780M

Therapeutic · OECD

1.9M sepsis shock + ARDS/yr

€34B

Defense & NATO preparedness

Non-dilutive funding pathway

Additive

The sepsis therapeutics market is vast, growing, and entirely unserved at the cascade level. Combining diagnosis and treatment allows for personalised care — this is the way forward, and SepsIgnite is positioned to own this category.

Beyond the clinical market, a NATO-identified strategic gap in combat trauma and mass-casualty preparedness extends our reach and unlocks non-dilutive defense funding pathways.

“The current €3.5M raise delivers a defined 24-month package: diagnostic validation data + therapeutic safety package, positioning SepsIgnite for a €10–15M Series A.”

The Team

Built by clinicians. Guided by experts.

A dedicated and experienced team: business builders, clinician, scientist, pharmacist, marketing and IT. More than 100 years of cumulative experience across Medtech, critical care, biochemistry, and digital infrastructure.

Dr. Xavier Forceville

CEO & CSO

MD, PhD, EMBA (HEC). Former Head of Critical Care. 30 years of sepsis pre-clinical studies and clinical trial translation, anchored in 80 years of fundamental quantum biochemistry.

Ms. Dalila Belkhiri

Chief Business Officer

American MBA and a Master's degree from Créteil / Cambridge. 19 years of experience in business development and strategic partnerships.

Dr. Daniel Lueschner

CMC Director

PhD Biochemistry. 15 years GMP & regulatory expertise. Leads the recombinant production pathway for Selenoprotein-P.

Ms. Marine Provoyeur

Chief Marketing Officer

15 years across Medtech, marketing, public relations and pricing strategy. Leads brand positioning and go-to-market strategy for SepsIgnite's commercial launch.

M. Nathaniel Harari

Head of IT & Digital

IT & Digital infrastructure, GDPR compliance, and NATO cybersecurity standards. Leads the technical architecture and data security framework for SepsIgnite's digital platform.

Scientific Committee

9 Members

Led by Prof. D. Annane (Head of Critical Care, APHP Saclay), Gen. Y. Chancerelle (Military Health Service) and Prof. P. Van Antwerpen (ULB Brussels). Intensivists, pharmacologists and methodologists across Europe.

Full Scientific Advisory Board and clinical partner network available on request under NDA.

Advisory Board

Rachel Ougier Simonin

Strategy & Execution Plan. Former Head of Enterprise Portfolio, Novartis.

Hélène Touati

Strategy, Operations, Positioning. Director of Marketing & Communications, COMEX member (Fnac, EMI, BHV, Carrefour, Ecotel).

Vincent Cotereau

Former Vice President of the Pharmacists' Board. Executive of a Pharmaceutical Company.

Isabelle Lugan · To be confirmed

To be confirmed.

Oury Chetboun · To be confirmed

To be confirmed.

Delphine Boulaire · To be confirmed

To be confirmed.

Patient Advisory Board in construction · Full Advisory Board available under NDA.

Scientific Literature

Peer-reviewed. Independently validated.

SepsIgnite's platform is grounded in 30 years of published research across biochemistry, critical care, and translational medicine.

Forceville X., Van Antwerpen P., Preiser J.-C. Selenium and Selenoprotein-P in sepsis. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 2021.

Peer-reviewed

Forceville X., Van Antwerpen P., Annane D., Vincent J.-L. First-in-class cascade intervention. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 2022.

Peer-reviewed

Preclinical study: resuscitated septic rats. Normalised lactate, no toxicity at therapeutic dose. ENVA Veterinary University, Paris, 2015.

Preclinical

Microcirculation study — endothelial protection mechanism. Charité University Hospital, Berlin.

Translational

Large-animal (sheep) study confirming preclinical signal at scale. Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB).

Preclinical

Phase II multicenter RCT — primary endpoint data available under NDA. CHU Meaux / CHU Rennes.

Clinical · Phase II

5 lectures at international critical care congresses, incl. ESICM and SRLF. PI: Dr. Xavier Forceville.

Presentations

US Patent No. 11,224,633 — Theranostic platform combining Selenoprotein-P biomarker and therapeutic selenium formulation. EU prosecution in progress.

IP · Granted

Full bibliography, clinical data package, and methodology notes are available to qualified investors under NDA.

Public Health Resources

Sepsis is a global emergency. These organisations are fighting it.

SepsIgnite is building the clinical solution. These patient organisations are raising awareness, supporting survivors, and driving policy change.

Patient Advocacy · USA

Sepsis Alliance

The leading US nonprofit dedicated to saving lives and reducing suffering from sepsis. Provides resources for patients, families, and healthcare professionals, and campaigns for early recognition and better outcomes.

sepsisalliance.org →

Patient Advocacy · UK

UK Sepsis Trust

The UK’s leading sepsis charity. Works to save lives and support survivors through clinical toolkits, public awareness campaigns, and policy advocacy. Introduced the widely adopted clinical screening tools used in the NHS.

sepsistrust.org →

Clinical Guidelines · International

Surviving Sepsis Campaign

The global initiative to reduce ICU mortality from sepsis and septic shock. Publishes the international management guidelines followed by critical care teams worldwide.

survivingsepsis.org →

Awareness · Global

World Sepsis Day

Every year on 13 September, healthcare workers and patient advocates across 100+ countries unite to raise global awareness of sepsis. Most deaths are preventable with earlier recognition and better treatment options.

world-sepsis-day.org →

SepsIgnite has no commercial relationship with any of the above organisations. Links are provided for informational purposes only.

The #1 cause of preventable in-hospital death. Still without its proper treatment.

A life-threatening cascade. And no solution available.

Work with the body's response, not against it.

5–8 hours of advance warning

First restore vessel protection, then fight the archer

Personalised care through theranostics

Built on 80 years of research. Anchored on 30 years of clinical work. Protected by patents.

Animals studied

Peer-reviewed publications

Phase II RCT completed

Patent granted

Why 30 years on one problem.

A €34B market with no incumbent theranostic player.

Built by clinicians. Guided by experts.

Peer-reviewed. Independently validated.

Sepsis is a global emergency. These organisations are fighting it.

Ready to talk?

The #1 cause of preventable in-hospital death.
Still without its proper treatment.