NLSInvest: What’s in it for Nordic Life Science companies?

Gøran van den Burgt Co-founder & Head of Finance, Mode Sensors

You have developed a novel innovative device to monitor hydration in patients. Which therapeutic area is most promising in terms of fast market access?
– Fluid management at hospital wards is the most promising therapeutic area for fast market access. However, we have traction in other therapeutic areas, such as: cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, geriatrics, etc.

How do you feel about being selected to participate as one of the Rising Stars at Nordic Life Science Invest?
– We think it is great because it: 1) increases awareness of our mission; 2) is a seal of excellence; 3) is a great arena to meet potential investors and/or commercial partners. Nordic Life Science Invest and Nordic Life Science Days will attract delegates from all over the world including investors and big companies looking for novel ideas and seeking collaborations.

What do you hope to achieve by participating in these meetings?
– Both are interesting to us, although given that we are some years away from our next planned fund-raising, we want to focus on finding collaborations and partners.

Harri Sihto Chairman of the Board, Sartar Therapeutics

Your focus is on drug repurposing. Can you please describe your unique approach and which therapeutic indication you are focusing on?
– We have identified novel therapy targets in rare cancers by using population-based tumor sample series and largescale transcriptome analyses. The first therapy target that we are focusing is PDE3A protein that is highly expressed in some soft-tissue sarcoma types such as GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour). PDE3A is a specific target for anagrelide, an off-patent drug that is used to treat essential thrombocytosis. We have shown that anagrelide is efficacious against GIST in patient-derived tumour xenograft mouse models, and our reformulated, subcutaneously administered controlled-release product SAR001 shows superior pharmacokinetics over an oral anagrelide formulation. As anagrelide is known to be safe in human, development risk is significantly reduced.

How do you feel about being selected to participate as one of the Rising Stars at Nordic Life Science Invest?
– It is an honour to be recognized as a company that everyone should keep their eyes on. We are definitely moving fast forward and appreciate the trust and support we are getting. Nordic Life Science Invest and Nordic Life Science Days will attract delegates from all over the world including investors and big companies looking for novel ideas and seeking collaborations.

What do you hope to achieve by participating in these meetings?
– These events are a great opportunity to find collaborators and meet possible co-developers among bigger biotech companies.

Adam Robertson Chief Scientific Officer, Hemispherian

You are targeting a novel mechanism for the treatment of glioblastoma. Please tell us about the science; why do your compounds target tumour cells and not normal cells?
– Our lead compounds are epigenetic therapeutics. Cancer cells universally have reduced levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) – a DNA base modification. The GLIX family of molecules, Hemispherian’s lead molecules, achieves its effect by restoring the activity of the TET2 enzyme which in turn restores 5hmC levels. In normal cells, the substrate for the TET2 enzyme is saturated and therefore enhancing the activity of TET2 in normal cells has no effect on 5hmC levels. This allows the GLIX pharmaceuticals to specifically target and kill cancer cells without affecting normal cells.

How do you feel about being selected to participate as one of the Rising Stars at Nordic Life Science Invest?
– I am exceptionally pleased that Hemispherian is selected as one of the Norwegian Rising Stars at Nordic Life Science Invest. The team at Hemispherian has worked very hard to get the company to where it is now, their hard work and determination seems to be reflected in this selection. Nordic Life Science Invest and Nordic Life Science Days will attract delegates from all over the world including investors and big companies looking for novel ideas and seeking collaborations.

What do you hope to achieve by participating in these meetings?
– Hemispherian will be looking for collaborations that can help us advance the GLIX family of molecules to the clinic. Working together with clinicians and other companies as well as investors from all over the world has been fruitful for the growth of Hemispherian. More collaborations from meetings at Nordic Life Science Invest and Nordic Life Science Days will help to grow and advance Hemispherian’s pharmaceutical pipeline.