FFUND BV

Their core work

FFUND BV is a Dutch SME specializing in high-throughput screening, structural biology services, and microfluidic organ-on-chip technologies. They provide drug discovery support — particularly compound screening and target validation — for infectious disease and neuroscience research programs. Their work spans from identifying host-directed therapeutic targets for tuberculosis and non-tubercular mycobacteria to developing nervous-system-on-chip platforms for studying neurodegenerative diseases.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

All three of FFUND's H2020 projects began in 2019, so temporal evolution is limited. However, the keyword distribution reveals two distinct capability tracks: one centered on neuroscience and organ-on-chip engineering (CONNECT), and a larger emphasis on infectious disease drug discovery through screening and structural biology (both Respiri projects). The two Respiri projects extend to 2027, suggesting their drug discovery screening work is an expanding, longer-term commitment.

FFUND appears to be consolidating around high-throughput screening and structural biology services for anti-infective drug pipelines, making them a strong partner for translational infectious disease projects.

How they like to work

FFUND operates exclusively as a participant, never as coordinator, consistent with a specialist service provider role within larger research consortia. With 15 unique partners across 9 countries from just 3 projects, they work in medium-to-large international consortia and do not appear tied to a fixed set of collaborators. This suggests they are a flexible, plug-in partner valued for specific technical capabilities rather than project management.

FFUND has collaborated with 15 distinct partners across 9 countries through just 3 projects, indicating broad European reach relative to their size. Their network spans both health-focused drug discovery consortia and FET-funded neuroscience initiatives.

What sets them apart

FFUND combines high-throughput screening infrastructure with microfluidics and organ-on-chip expertise — an unusual dual capability for a small Dutch SME. This positions them to bridge the gap between traditional compound screening and advanced tissue-engineered disease models. For consortium builders, they offer plug-and-play screening and assay development services that can serve both infectious disease and neurodegeneration programs.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CONNECT
  FET-funded nervous-system-on-chip project combining iPSCs, brain organoids, and neuroelectric interfaces — a technically ambitious platform bridging neuroscience and bioengineering.
• RespiriNTM
  Largest funding share (EUR 234K) targeting non-tubercular mycobacteria with a first-in-human candidate goal, addressing a neglected but growing infectious disease area.
• RespiriTB
  Companion project to RespiriNTM focused on tuberculosis, demonstrating FFUND's role as a consistent screening partner across related anti-infective pipelines.