Epitherapeutics Receives Funding from Novo and SEED Capital Denmark for Cancer Drug Development in the Field of Epigenetics

Epitherapeutics Receives Funding from Novo and SEED Capital Denmark for Cancer Drug Development in the Field of Epigenetics

Epitherapeutics Aps announced today the receipt of funding from two of the leading Danish life science investor groups, Novo A/S and SEED Capital Denmark to advance the discovery and development of new cancer treatments by leveraging breakthroughs in the field of Epigenetics.

Epigenetics describes the chemical modifications and mechanisms affecting the way DNA is packaged within the cell’s nucleus. These processes are master regulators that enable gene expression to be turned on and off to maintain normal cellular function. During recent years, it has become clear that epigenetic control mechanisms do not function properly in cancer and some metabolic diseases, including diabetes. The field of Epigenetics focuses on the discovery of novel therapeutics that target these epigenetic mechanisms to selectively regulate their activity. In the case of cancer, this could result in new drugs that shut down deadly tumor growth by a novel, epigenetic mechanism of action.

Epitherapeutics’ scientific founders are internationally recognized in the field of Epigenetics research from the Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) unit at Copenhagen University, including Professor and Director of BRIC, Kristian Helin; Assistant Professor Paul Cloos; and Associate Professor Jesper Christensen.

“By founding Epitherapeutics, we hope to contribute to the development of new treatments against cancer. This project is in alignment with the research at BRIC where we try to elucidate the underlying epigenetic cause of different diseases and then apply our discoveries to develop new medicines that could improve the treatment options and outcome for patients with cancer and other diseases, ” said Professor Kristian Helin. “ We are grateful for the validation that comes with this investment in Epitherapeutics from Novo and SEED Capital and believe that it underscores the strength of our core science and the promise of Epigenetics to yield important new therapeutics for cancer .”

The scientific discoveries of Epitherapeutics have potential applications in a wide range of clinical indications, but the company’s initial focus will be in oncology. Epitherapeutics' lead development program is focused on an enzyme involved in the regulation of androgen responsive genes for the treatment of prostate cancer. Subsequent developments may identify other potential clinical indications. At present stage nobody really knows the full potential of Epigenetics, but no doubt that the perspectives are intriguing.

“We believe that Epigenetics research has the potential to create blockbuster products, but all successes must have a starting point based on competence, trust and risk willingness. While only time can reveal the true potential of Epigenetics, we believe that Professor Helin and his team have all the right ingredients to successfully develop commercial opportunities from this breakthrough area of research,” commented Investment Director Stephan Christgau from Novo Seeds, the early stage investment program of Novo A/S. Investment Manager Jón Ingi Benediktsson from SEED Capital added, “We believe Helin and his BRIC team have built one of the strongest research programs that will continue to deliver new discoveries at the frontier of Epigenetics. There are only few other research groups in the world who can match the know-how from the Danish BRIC institute.”

About Epitherapeutics ( www.epitherapeutics.dk )

Epitherapeutics is a drug discovery and development company formed in 2008 based on discoveries at the Biotech Research and Innovation Centre at Copenhagen University. The company develops new drugs with the ability to regulate epigenetic mechanisms. The company’s lead program targets prostate cancer. The Company aims to be among the leading discovery companies in the rapidly emerging field of epigenetics, setting the standard in translating ground-breaking scientific discoveries into improved therapies for patients worldwide.

About SEED Capital Denmark ( www.seedcapital.dk )

SEED Capital Denmark was formed in 2004 and manages direct investments totaling above €130 million, distributed to just under 70 companies in all stages of lifecycle. The Company’s investment focus is predominantly on early-phase, technology-based Life Science, ICT and Cleantech projects and companies with considerable business potential.

About Novo Seeds

Novo Seeds is a life science supporting program launched by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Novo A/S. Novo Seeds has two components, a pre-seed funding capacity and a seed financing fund. Both aim at identifying and developing the unexplored commercial potential present in academic and early stage applied research projects at universities and biotech companies within life science in Scandinavia.

About Novo A/S ( www.novo.dk )

Novo A/S, the holding company in the Novo Group, was established prior to the demerger of Novo Nordisk in 2000. Novo A/S is a private limited liability company fully owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Besides being the majority shareholder in Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S, Novo A/S provides seed and venture capital to development stage companies within life science and biotechnology, as well as manages a broad portfolio of financial assets.

About the Novo Nordisk Foundation ( www.novonordiskfonden.dk )

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is a commercial foundation. The objective of the Novo Nordisk Foundation is twofold: to provide a stable basis for the commercial and research activities conducted by the companies within the Novo Group, and to support scientific, humanitarian purposes. Most of the grants are awarded to medical and scientific projects and to select other research areas. The decision to award grants is the responsibility of scientific committees.

Contact:

BRIC
Professor Kristian Helin, 28755668
Director of BRIC
kristian.helin@bric.ku.dk
or
SEED Capital Denmark
Jón Ingi Benediktsson, + 45 40200048
Investment Manager
jib@seedcapital.dk
or
Novo Seeds
Stephan Christgau, +45 30794552
Investment Director
scga@novo.dk