Melbourne Biotech Startup Targets $5M to Fight Type 1 Diabetes
Synopsis
ImmunoBiota Therapeutics is raising $5 million to advance an oral therapy that aims to retrain the immune system without broadly suppressing immunity.
Melbourne-based biotech start-up ImmunoBiota Therapeutics is seeking $5 million in Seed funding to enable the next stage of development of IBT-100, an experimental oral treatment for type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Founded in 2022 by immunologist Dr. Eliana Marino, this Monash University spin-off is preparing to initiate the first clinical trial in children with T1D, in the Phase 1b/2a trial, which is due to start in mid-2027. The proposed raise would be used to fund regulatory activities and trial preparation.
From adult study to paediatric trial
In an initial study in 18 adults with T1D, the treatment was found to be safe and well-tolerated after six weeks of treatment and 12 weeks’ follow-up, according to the company.
However, the study was small and did not evaluate treatment efficacy. IBT-100 is an orally administered investigational therapy that generates endogenous metabolites in the colon that modulate the immune response driving T1D.
The company noted that it is targeting an annual $25M Series A raise and has identified the Australian Securities Exchange as a potential listing venue.
ImmunoBiota Therapeutics has just received $100,000 as part of the Diabetes Australia Grand Innovation Challenge. Diabetes Australia contributed $500,000 in support of the 2026 challenge, which funds research and health technology initiatives, including for diabetes research.
Type 1 diabetes remains a global burden
Global Type 1 Diabetes Prevalence, Incidence and Mortality Estimates 2025 reports that worldwide, 9.5 million people are living with T1D in 2025. Further, 513,000 new cases of T1D are diagnosed each year globally, of which 164,000 occur in children aged 0–14 years and 58,000 in adolescents aged 15–19 years.
The 11th edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas 2025 provides a region-specific summary of the global situation of diabetes, with aggregated data on health indicators and diabetes-related outcomes.
The proposed Seed raise would fund the transition to a planned paediatric trial, with a view to a Series A raise of $25M per annum, depending on the company’s clinical and regulatory milestones.
Source: Startup Daily
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
You Might Also Like
Budgeting and Wealth as Tools for Personal Empowerment and Business Growth
Fuel Shock Hit Aussie Business Cash Flow As Diesel Risks Grow
