Herantis Pharma receives Life Sciences Nordic Stars Award
Herantis Pharma receives Life Sciences Nordic Stars Award
Herantis Pharma Plc
Press release 15 Sep 2017 at 8:30 am
Herantis Pharma plc ("Herantis") received the Nordic Stars Award at the Nordic Life Sciences Days in Malmö, Sweden. Nordic Stars Awards winners have been selected annually since 2013 "in special recognition of life science companies in the Nordic region demonstrating outstanding innovation and entrepreneurial skills." The other winners in 2017 were Targovax (Norway) and Pelago Bioscience (Sweden).
"This award is above all a recognition of the high quality of scientific research in Finland", appreciates Pekka Simula, Herantis' CEO. "Our drug candidate Lymfactin® is based on the scientific research by professor Kari Alitalo's group, and our drug candidate CDNF is based on the research by professor Mart Saarma's group. Both are examples of ground-breaking medical research in Finland representing globally leading science. This recognition also reminds of the opportunities that high-quality science will open in the future for Finland, our nation now celebrating 100 years of independence."
Further information:
Herantis Pharma plc, Pekka Simula, CEO, telephone: +358 40 7300 445
Company web site: www.herantis.com
About Herantis Pharma Plc
Herantis Pharma Plc is an innovative drug development company focused on regenerative medicine for breakthrough in unmet clinical needs. Our first-in-class assets are based on globally leading scientific research in their fields: CDNF for disease modification in neurodegenerative diseases, primarily Parkinson's and ALS; and Lymfactin® for breast cancer associated lymphedema, with potential also in other lymphedemas. The shares of Herantis are listed on the First North Finland marketplace run by Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange.
About CDNF
CDNF is a novel drug candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Naturally present in the human blood circulation and cerebrospinal fluid, CDNF is a protein with neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties, patented worldwide by Herantis. Encouraged by strong preclinical proof-of-concept Herantis has launched a first-in-human, randomized Phase 1-2 clinical study with CDNF for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The clinical study has received funding from the European Union's research and innovation program Horizon 2020 under grant agreement number 732386.
CDNF administration has been safe in preclinical studies including chronic toxicology studies; CDNF has protected and regenerated midbrain dopamine-generating cells suggesting potential for disease modification of PD. It has also shown efficacy in non-motor symptoms of PD. In an ALS disease model CDNF has significantly increased survival and reduced symptoms. This suggests the potential to address unmet clinical needs in both PD and ALS. CDNF drug development is based on scientific research at the University of Helsinki, lead by professor Mart Saarma.
About Lymfactin®
Lymfactin® is the world's first clinical stage gene therapy repairing damages of the lymphatic system. Lymfactin® expresses the growth factor VEGF-C, which is specific to the development of lymphatic vessels. Based on preclinical studies Lymfactin® triggers the growth of new functional lymphatic vasculature and thus repairs the damages causing secondary lymphedema. Encouraged by preclinical results Herantis has launched a Phase 1 clinical study with Lymfactin® in the treatment of breast cancer associated lymphedema. Patented by Herantis, Lymfactin® is based on scientific research by academy professor Kari Alitalo and his research group, a national centre of excellence at the University of Helsinki. See our introductory video on Lymfactin®: http://herantis.com/media/videos/
Distribution:
Main media
www.herantis.com