The Umeåbased startup company has been granted 2.2 million EUR from EU Horizon 2020, the EU framework program for research and development.

The grant will go to Lipum’s ongoing development of a biological pharmaceutical for treatment of chronic  inflammatory diseases, reports the company in their press release.

Lipum has identified the novel target molecule Bile Salt-Stimulated Lipase (BSSL) and preclinical studies have verified the concept in several models for autoimmune chronic inflammatory diseases, e.g. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). A candidate drug, an optimized monoclonal antibody, is now about to be validated and tested including a novel approach to get early Proof of Concept in man. In parallel production of the biological drug will be established for toxicological and clinical study during year 2020.

Speed up development

The Horizon 2020 SME Instrument grant will speed up this development work to the benefit of patients, health care and society, states the company.

”We are indeed grateful for being selected by EU considering the tough competition. There is a significant unmet need for the treatment of these diseases and we have first-in-class potential”, says CEO Einar Pontén.

Lipum initially intends to address Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) that affects children. Since this is a rare disease there is potential to obtain an orphan drug designation (ODD) for faster time to market.

”We presented an innovative way to get clinical proof of concept faster. I think that also contributed to our success in being selected for the grant,” says Pontén in the press release.

Photo of the Lipum team:Ulf Björklund, Einar Pontén, Lennart Lundberg, Susanne Lindquist and Olle Hernell. Source: Uminova Innovation