Karolinska
Karolinska Development AB is a venture capital firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, established in 2003. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in the life sciences and healthcare sectors, focusing on pharmaceutical research and development, biotechnology, medical technology, and related fields. Karolinska Development aims to create value by selecting commercially attractive medical innovations, developing them to enhance their return on investment, and subsequently commercializing these innovations through sales or out-licensing agreements. The firm primarily targets projects within the Nordic region, particularly in Sweden, and typically invests in up to five projects annually, often collaborating with innovators who serve as board members and advisors. With a structured selection process and a focus on minimizing operational costs in the initial stages, Karolinska Development seeks to advance its portfolio companies until they reach critical milestones for valuation increases. The firm prefers to exit investments at the Phase II stage of product development, which offers significant potential for successful negotiation of licensing or sales agreements.
Modus Therapeutics AB, a clinical-stage drug development company, develops pharmaceutical therapies. It offers sevuparin, a drug to treat people suffering from sickle cell disease. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Stockholm, Sweden. Modus Therapeutics AB operates as a subsidiary of Dilafor AB.
PharmNovo AB develops therapeutic drugs for the treatment of neuro disease. The company focuses on the clinical development of hyper excitability disorders, such as chronic pain using neuroscience and translational medicine. The company provides PN6047, which helps to reduce chronic pain and combat other hypersensitivity. PharmNovo AB was founded in 2008 and is based in Lund, Sweden.
Modus Therapeutics AB, a clinical-stage drug development company, develops pharmaceutical therapies. It offers sevuparin, a drug to treat people suffering from sickle cell disease. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Stockholm, Sweden. Modus Therapeutics AB operates as a subsidiary of Dilafor AB.
Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing cancer therapeutics that target the mutant p53 tumor suppressor protein. The lead product candidate, APR-246, is a first-in-class small molecule p53 reactivator currently in late-stage clinical development for hematologic malignancies, specifically myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Aprea aims to address significant unmet medical needs in cancer treatment through innovative therapies. The company is primarily backed by KDev Investments AB and other stakeholders, including Östersjöstiftelsen and Praktikerinvest, reflecting a strong investment foundation for its research and development efforts.
Umecrine Cognition specializes in developing pharmaceutical products aimed at treating cognitive neurological disorders linked to endogenous CNS-active steroids, particularly GABA-steroids. Founded in 2006 as a subsidiary of Umecrine AB in partnership with Karolinska Development, the company focuses on addressing neurological issues within the central nervous system. It recognizes the role of the GABA system, the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter system, in various clinical conditions, including Hepatic Encephalopathy, Alzheimer's disease, and Down syndrome. Umecrine Cognition is dedicated to the development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics specifically targeting Hepatic Encephalopathy in patients with liver disease, aiming to alleviate the neurocognitive symptoms associated with this condition.
Promimic AB, a biomaterial company, develops and markets implant surface modifications and synthetic bones based on the production of nano sized hydroxyapatite. The company develops HA Surface, a thin coating based on nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite particles that accelerate osseo-integration. Its products are used in various areas of medical applications that include surface modification; and surface technology that is implemented onto various types of substrates, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and porous structures. The company was founded in 2004 and is based in Mölndal, Sweden.
OssDsign was founded in May 2011 by Professor Håkan Engqvist, Dr Thomas Engstrand, Bo Qwarnstrom, Jonas Åberg, Uppsala University AB and other leading clinical, preclinical and materials researchers and engineers. The key people in the company are presented below. OssDsign has in addition developed a network of international experts in Clinical Affairs, Regulatory and Business Development.
OssDsign was founded in May 2011 by Professor Håkan Engqvist, Dr Thomas Engstrand, Bo Qwarnstrom, Jonas Åberg, Uppsala University AB and other leading clinical, preclinical and materials researchers and engineers. The key people in the company are presented below. OssDsign has in addition developed a network of international experts in Clinical Affairs, Regulatory and Business Development.
Asarina Pharma AB (publ) researches and develops pharmaceutical products. Its flagship product is Sepranolone that is in Phase IIb clinical trial to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder and menstrual migraine. The company was formerly known as Umecrine Mood AB and changed its name to Asarina Pharma AB (publ) in 2016. Asarina Pharma AB (publ) was incorporated in 2005 and is based in Solna, Sweden.
Eribis Pharmaceuticals AB develops drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, primarily acute myocardial ischemia and surgical preconditioning. Myocardial ischaemia is the pathological loss of or reduction in blood flow to a part of the muscular tissue of the heart. The company offers peptides, which are used in cardio and tissue protection, antihypoxia, and analgesia. Eribis Pharmaceuticals AB was founded in 2006 and is based in Uppsala, Sweden.
ProNoxis develops, produces and markets novel treatments for autoimmune disorders where modification of NADPH oxidase (NOX2) activity is one key for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). ProNoxis is a spin-out from Redoxis.
DermaGen develops peptide therapeutics for topical use based on novel and proprietary antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). We intend to be a leading R&D company in this area with the aim of offering innovative and profitable licensing opportunities to selected pharmaceutical companies with significant market potential. DermaGen focuses on R&D to provide new and patented products initially for dermatological indications. DermaGen has selected its first candidate drug (CD), which has entered the development phase. To help advance development of our product portfolio and to bring them to market, we welcome the interest of new investors, partners and collaborators.
Cellectricon is a leading provider of advanced cell-based screening services to accelerate drug discovery. Exploiting their Cellaxess® Elektra platform, their Discovery Services offering is ideal for compound profiling in excitable primary cells and native tissue. Their services help researchers identify phenotypic effects in highly relevant biological models early enough in a project’s lifecycle to add real value to the decision of whether to pursue or eliminate a compound, which translates to considerable cost savings in the drug development business. With their new services-based business model, we are well-enabled to respond to the demands and challenges faced by the drug discovery industry. Their dedicated team of expert neurobiologists and extensive pharmaceutical industry experience, position us well as a preferred partner Over the past year they have collaborated with several large Pharma partners.