PrecisionPhage takes the lead in the fight against antibiotic resistance

 Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a growing global threat, largely driven by the overuse of antibiotics. While Finland still maintains strong antibiotic effectiveness, many parts of the world are already facing critical challenges due to poor medication control. Jyväskylä-based startup PrecisionPhage is bringing a new type of treatment to market—one with the potential to eliminate dangerous bacteria that no longer respond to traditional antibiotics. 

Phages are naturally occurring viruses that destroy bacteria but are harmless to humans. They were explored as a treatment for bacterial infections even before antibiotics were discovered.

Today, for example, in countries like India and regions in Southeast Asia, up to 70% of bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics due to their unrestricted use. Once again, the search for solutions in phages has become highly relevant.

PrecisionPhage has recognized how to harness this old idea for a modern problem.

A unique phage collection

Founded in 2022 by a group of experienced phage researchers, PrecisionPhage emerged from years of collaboration in academic research. As funding for their work became increasingly scarce, the idea to turn research into a business began to take shape.

Saija Kiljunen, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder, likens the company’s phage collection to sourdough starter: from one culture, an endless amount of new 'loaves'—or in this case, medicines—can be produced.

Today, PrecisionPhage boasts one of the world’s largest collections of bacteriophages. These provide pharmaceutical companies with customized 'recipes' to produce medications used in phage therapy. PrecisionPhage is among the few players worldwide to offer phages for commercial use—giving it a clear competitive advantage.

Making advanced tools accessible

“Our second key advantage is that we design DNA analysis tools—bioinformatics solutions—so that even those without deep technical expertise can use them,” Kiljunen says, referring to the company’s phage genome analysis software.

In addition, PrecisionPhage offers laboratory services to other companies in the field that lack the capacity for tasks like phage characterization.

Although phage therapy is still under development, early results in treating difficult infections have been promising. The current markets lie outside Finland—but the know-how originates in Jyväskylä.

Fueling growth with funding

PrecisionPhage has secured significant funding to further develop and expand its operations. With robust scientific expertise already in place, the company is now directing funding toward developing quality systems and business operations. The long-term vision is to become a pillar of European phage therapy.

Co-founder and CEO Matti Jalasvuori sees Jyväskylä as an excellent growth environment for a startup. It may have been easier to gain support for an unconventional business idea here than, for example, in Helsinki, where competition for attention is more intense.

Phage therapy is still a new market, and not all opportunities are even known yet.

“In a way, it’s still a question mark—but the potential is huge,” Jalasvuori says. “We are continuously exploring what kinds of opportunities exist.”

Unlimited growth potential

Because PrecisionPhage’s services operate primarily online—and demand is enormous—growth can happen dramatically and rapidly. The scalability potential is essentially limitless.

“We aim to stay on top of how pharmaceutical regulations are evolving and identify where we can offer services,” Kiljunen adds.

Turning research projects into a business benefits more than just the company and its investors. The larger the operation grows, the more patients in need can gain access to affordable treatment. Until now, phage therapy has only been available to a small number of patients through research projects.

In the global challenge of antibiotic-resistant infections, the solution will come in many parts. One of those crucial parts appears to be forming in Jyväskylä.

Photo: PrecisionPhage

This article is part of the innovation ecosystem work of the Business Development Services of the City of Jyväskylä. We are carrying out ecosystem work with the support of public funding and within the framework of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment's ecosystem agreement in 2021-2027, together with universities and other developers in the region. Funding is provided by the Regional Council of Central Finland (ERDF funding, Jyväskylä Growth and Sustainable Urban Development project 2022-2025).