The hypothesis is that XEN-D0501 may reduce the chronic inflammation that leads to cardiovascular disease including aorta dilatation. Thus, XEN-D0501 could potentially prevent the lethal end-stage development of Abdominal Aorta Aneurism (AAA). 
This co-sponsorship amounts to approximately SEK 150.000 and will contribute to a further study in mice that the Research Group will conduct.

Pila Pharma will now take on the active co-sponsor role to allow for progression of this important work. The results of the studies will be split in the sense that the research group gets the publication right (after patenting) and Wågsäter has agreed to transfer to Pila Pharma the patent rights against that Pila Pharma sponsors any resulting patents.

A pre-clinical proof-of-concept

The aim of the collaboration is to establish a pre-clinical proof-of-concept of an effect of XEN-D0501 on preventing progression of AAA in mice.

“Since our collaboration with Professor Wågsäter started last year, some technical difficulties with the mouse model arose that thus first had to be solved. Luckily, this is now sorted and with this small but significant financial support from Pila Pharma, I look forward to complete our initial investigations on XEN-D0501’s potential to reduce aorta aneurism growth in mice. If the results of this mouse study are positive it could open up to assessing the effect of XEN-D0501 in humans with AAA,” says CSO Dorte X. Gram.

“The disease AAA annually kills about 1% of all men above the age of 65 years and is currently without adequate treatment options. Hence there is a real need for new treatments. Cardiovascular diseases are major causes of death globally, with strong traces to the global obesity pandemic. Thus, by investigating how XEN-D0501 can affect AAA development in mice, we want to understand the cardiometabolic properties of our molecule better. Having a strong positive cardiovascular profile, can be of real benefit when determining the potential value of our molecule. At a cost of SEK 150.000, we in the team view this as a very minor investment with possibility of adding strong value if we can showcase positive results in addition to the expansive nature that results in a new indication would provide,” says CEO Gustav H. Gram.