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Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting about 190 million women worldwide, characterized by the growth of tissue similar to the uterine lining outside the uterus. This often results in severe pelvic pain, menstrual irregularities, and fertility issues. Current treatments are predominantly hormone-based, which can lead to significant side effects and are not suitable for all patients.
Company Overview
Founded in 2017 and based in Stockholm, Gesynta Pharma is a biotech company focused on developing innovative therapies for inflammatory diseases. The lead candidate from the company is vipoglanstat, an mPGES-1 inhibitor, which is expected to modulate inflammatory pathways implicated in endometriosis. By targeting the enzyme mPGES-1, vipoglanstat aims to reduce both pain and lesion progression associated with the disease.
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Funding Details
The funding round was Series B and it raised SEK 304 million, or ($29 million) and was led by Innovestor Life Science. This round was joined by earlier investors such as Hadean Ventures, Industrifonden, Linc, Foreground Capital, Catalyze Capital, Stephen Industries, and Amboy Street Ventures. Sizable funding accounts for immense confidence in the approach of Gesynta Pharma towards endometriosis.
Investor Insights
Pekka Simula, Partner at Innovestor Life Science, said: “The strong medical need for better treatments for endometriosis along with the commercial opportunities in vipoglanstat are very attractive investment opportunities and we are glad to come along with Gesynta Pharma in pursuing this potential life-saving drug candidate.
Roger Franklin, Chairman of Gesynta and Partner at Hadean Ventures, said, “We are thrilled to close this round of financing which will enable Gesynta to take its potentially transformational therapy through Phase II clinical development in endometriosis. We believe there are many important unmet needs in women’s health, including critically in endometriosis, and are excited about the role Gesynta can play in addressing this.”
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Utilisation of Funds
The majority of the capital raised will be used to finance a Phase II clinical trial for vipoglanstat. The European trial is to enroll approximately 190 patients diagnosed with endometriosis, and will measure the efficacy and safety of two different dose levels of vipoglanstat in comparison to a placebo over four months.
This is a pivotal trial that would yield critical information about whether or not vipoglanstat might provide an important non-hormonal therapeutic for endometriosis.
Technological Advances
Vipoglanstat works through selective inhibition of the enzyme mPGES-1, which is overexpressed in endometriotic lesions and is implicated in both pain and disease progression. Vipoglanstat has shown remarkable efficacy in the preclinical studies in the reduction of endometrial lesions as well as associated pain symptoms. Moreover, its safety profile as observed in previous clinical studies appears to be encouraging for further drug development.
Role in Treatment of Endometriosis
The development of a non-hormonal therapy such as vipoglanstat is a great leap forward in the treatment of endometriosis. Current hormone-based therapies often come with side effects such as mood swings, weight gain, and decreased bone density, which limit their long-term use. Vipoglanstat may offer the potential for a disease-modifying treatment that addresses both pain and lesion growth without the hormonal side effects, thereby improving the quality of life for millions of women affected by endometriosis.
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Future Outlook
With the successful completion of the Series B funding round, Gesynta Pharma is well-positioned to advance vipoglanstat through Phase II clinical development. Positive outcomes from the upcoming trial could pave the way for Phase III studies and eventually lead to regulatory approval, bringing a much-needed non-hormonal treatment option to the market. The company’s commitment to addressing unmet medical needs in women’s health underscores its potential to make a significant impact in the field.
Summary
Swedish biotech company Gesynta Pharma has successfully raised SEK 304 million, or $29 million, in a Series B funding round led by Innovestor Life Science. The investment will primarily support a Phase II clinical trial of vipoglanstat, a novel non-hormonal drug candidate targeting endometriosis.
