LAGOSTA wins Merck as first client

Vaud based LAGOSTA S.A. has entered into a collaboration with the global science and technology company Merck for the distribution of its chitosan through their Life Science business’ industry-leading eCommerce platform. Under the agreement, the Life Science business of Merck will employ its sales, marketing and eCommerce expertise, and leverage the strength of its relationships with the scientific community, to present and distribute LAGOSTA’s premium chitosan.

“This partnership clearly underlines and validates the uniqueness of our outstanding chitosan profile. Accessing such a premium product via Merck unlocks an unlimited potential of biomedical development opportunities for scientists around the world” said Christophe Maier, Founder and CEO at LAGOSTA S.A.

Through a farmed, sustainable production, LAGOSTA allows for high quality and consistent reproducibility chitosan, a biopolymer which we know is antimicrobial, biocompatible and biodegradable, unlocking potential for research in a number of areas, from implants to batteries.

Research has discovered multiple pharmaceutical/biotech applications for chitosan. These discoveries have yet to benefit patients despite the huge applications potential for the sole reason that reproducible cGMP chitosan is not yet available on the market. Today's chitosan sources, from large outdoor shrimp farming, high seas' squid to sourcing crustaceans in pristine arctic water, or even relying on different species (insects, fungi) all present variability (up to 20%) due to seasonality of sourcing, lack of purity or harsh processing. Thanks to its innovative approach, LAGOSTA is the only company to offer a biomedical chitosan with reproducible biological properties

Thanks to its partnership, LAGOSTA’s management expects to benefit from increased visibility and access in all the world's research laboratories, where Sigma-Alldrich/Merck is a well-known and recognized brand, with a sales force covering the whole planet. To meet the growing demand on key markets (US, EU, Switzerland) and increase production capacity at its new european factory, the startup is currently raising CHF 5 million in a Series A financing round. This round is also open to smaller investors via convertible loans.

(ES)