Follicum’s grant application to Vinnova to study binding of FOL peptides to receptors on pancreatic cells has been approved.
Follicum is the coordinator of the project, which also includes Lund University and SARomics Biostructures. Parts of the project involve advanced analysis work to be performed at the new MAX IV synchrotron facility in Lund.
Aims to broaden the knowledge base
The application has been submitted within the framework of Vinnova’s call for “Industrial pilot projects for the utilisation of neutron and photon based techniques at large-scale infrastructures”. The awarded grant of SEK 500,000 runs over 1.5 years starting February 1, 2020 and aims to broaden the knowledge base within the company’s project to develop a peptide-based treatment for diabetes. Follicum, together with the other parties, will study FOL peptide binding to the surface receptors / targets previously identified on pancreatic cells and investigate how this results in an increase in insulin secretion at the same time as the pancreatic cells are protected and preserved.
We are very pleased with the announcement that our application has been granted and we look forward to now being able to develop our drug candidate in diabetes in a broader sense. The results of the upcoming collaboration can provide valuable information about the mechanism of action of our peptides. The participants in the collaboration are reputable and leading in their respective research areas, and we see a great advantage in our geographical proximity to MAX IV, where we plan to carry out advanced analyses,” says Jan Alenfall, CEO, Follicum
Image caption: Parts of the project involve advanced analysis work to be performed at the new MAX IV synchrotron facility in Lund. Photo: Kennet Ruona.
