Helion Biotech Receives Funding from SEED Capital Denmark to Progress MASP-2 Protein Replacement for Cancer-Supportive Care
Helion Biotech Receives Funding from SEED Capital Denmark to Progress MASP-2 Protein Replacement for Cancer-Supportive Care
Helion Biotech , which was founded based on research from Aarhus University, Denmark, announced today that it has received funding from leading Danish life science investor group, SEED Capital Denmark . The proceeds will be used to continue further development of the company’s lead project, recombinant human protein MASP -2, which is in pre-clinical development.
Many patients with suppressed immune systems, such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment, currently receive G-CSF, which limits the window of susceptibility to infections. MASP-2 replacement therapy would provide an additional targeted therapeutic alternative or supplement to prevent or treat infections in patients deficient in MASP-2.
“We are of course very excited to be able to progress with our pre-clinical recombinant MASP-2 project,” said co-founder and CEO of Helion Biotech, Jeppe Vesti Christensen. “As many may know, the idea of correcting immune factor deficiencies has already been established by another recombinant protein in development, Mannan Binding Lectin (MBL), which is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials. We believe the MASP-2 protein replacement case will have equivalent importance in the clinic, but for another segment of the patient population.”
Christensen continued, “From a partnering perspective, MASP-2 protein replacement therapy provides one of the rare, novel product opportunities in the neutropenia segment of cancer supportive care, which we believe will be appreciated when partnering discussions are eventually initiated.”
“Our analysis of the current situation in the cancer supportive care market, suggests to us that this area will offer investors attractive returns. This, combined with a specific, rare and well documented product offering that may prove highly beneficial to patients prompted us to invest in Helion Biotech,” said Investment Manager Ole Bitsch-Jensen, SEED Capital Denmark.
About MASP-2 Deficiency in Cancer Supportive Care
It is expected that 5-10% of all patients have a clinically relevant MASP-2 deficiency. Under normal circumstances, this deficiency does not translate into increased susceptibility to infections due to the very effective and specific cell- and antibody- based (adaptive) part of the immune system. However, with the introduction of modern medicine the cell-based part of the immune system may be compromised as a consequence of medical treatments such as chemotherapy. In such an immune-compromised state, patients rely on the remaining part of their immune system, e.g., the plasma protein-based immune system. A clinical study has found a strong correlation between MASP-2 deficiency and an increased susceptibility to infections in patients undergoing chemotherapy, indicating that for immune-compromised patients, a well functioning plasma protein based immune system is an important last line of defense against a wide range of invading organisms.
About Helion Biotech ( www.helionbiotech.com )
Helion Biotech is a drug development company based in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the aim of developing a recombinant protein, MASP-2, from the immune system for therapeutic use initially in supportive care in cancer. MASP-2 is a central component of the immediate and innate immune defense against micro-organisms. The primary targeted indication is prevention of infectious episodes in MASP-2-deficient patients undergoing chemotherapy.
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.
Contact:
Helion Biotech
Jeppe Vesti Christensen, +45 60715090
Chief
Executive Officer
jc@helionbiotech.com
or
SEED
Capital Denmark
Ole Bitsch-Jensen, +45 31197313
Chairman
obj@seedcapital.dk
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