ExoLab Italia lands €5 million to scale plant exosome innovation globally

L’Aquila-based ExoLab Italia, a BioTech startup innovating the use of plant-derived exosomes, has secured €5 million in a Series A funding round to accelerate its industrial scale-up and international expansion

The round saw investment from dsm-firmenich Ventures, CDP Venture Capital (through Fondo Acceleratori and Fondo Italia Venture II), Linfa Fund, managed by Riello Investimenti Sgr, and Maia Ventures.

“The funds raised will allow us to implement an ambitious strategic plan, which includes industrial scale-up, internationalisation and a decisive investment in human and territorial capital,” said Gabriele Campi, CEO of ExoLab Italia.

ExoLab Italia was Co-founded in 2020 by Mariantonia Logozzi (CTO) and Stefano Fais (Scientific Director), both with extensive experience at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità’s Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine. Alongside them, Lorenzo Cilli (CFO) and Valerio Carconi (Head of Marketing & Sales) complete the founding team.

The company initially secured backing from Scientifica Venture Capital, which has supported its growth from the early stages and remains a key strategic partner.

ExoLab Italia is pioneering the use of plant-derived exosomes—cellular vesicles obtained from fruit—to enhance the effectiveness of ingredients used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. With a proprietary technology platform and a strong R&D programme, the company aims to transform Italy’s rich organic agriculture resources into innovative bioactive compounds for multiple industries.

With the new capital, ExoLab Italia plans to move from its current 300 m² research and production facility to a new 1,000 m² plant in L’Aquila, significantly boosting production capacity. This scale-up will support the company’s ambition to become a leading global supplier of plant exosome-based functional ingredients.

Alongside facility expansion, the startup will also invest in talent acquisition, aiming to recruit 20 new employees over the next three years.

Investors see significant potential in ExoLab’s plant-derived exosome technology, particularly in biomedical and wellness applications. “We are particularly proud of this partnership with ExoLab,” commented Alessandro Scortecci, Chief Direct Investment Officer of CDP Venture Capital Sgr. “Plant-derived exosomes are emerging as a revolutionary frontier in biomedical technologies and sciences and, thanks to the advanced research conducted by the ExoLab team, they stand out as a potential game changer in the cosmetic, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors. Their extraordinary bioactive properties, combined with high biocompatibility, make them ideal for developing innovative applications aimed at improving health and well-being, opening new horizons for ever-evolving markets.”

Looking ahead, ExoLab Italia is set to push into international markets, targeting key regions in Europe and beyond. The company aims to build local partnerships and strengthen global brand visibility.

As it scales up, ExoLab will focus on further developing its research initiatives to expand the applications of plant-derived exosomes in health and wellness.

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