Lipum (publ) has entered a collaboration with researchers at the Karolinska Institute (KI), Division of Rheumatology at the Department of Medicine in Sweden.
Lipums drug candidate SOL-116 has been developed for treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases and a clinical phase 1 safety study is currently ongoing. In parallel, preclinical studies on the target molecule bile salt-stimulated lipase (BSSL) and SOL-116 are also prioritised.
The intention of the research collaboration between Lipum and KI is to thoroughly explore the role of BSSL in the immune system in general and in rheumatoid arthritis in particular and to further elucidate the mode of action of the anti-BSSL antibody and drug candidate SOL-116.
“We are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate with such a prominent research institution. The cooperation agreement is for two years, and I am confident that valuable knowledge will be added to our exploitation of SOL-116.”, says CEO Einar Pontén.
The Division of Rheumatology at KI conduct research on the etiology, molecular mechanisms, treatments, and outcome of many of the most severe chronic rheumatic inflammatory diseases. The research is translational spanning from molecular biology to clinical research.
“The project is very important as there is a pronounced need for new drugs with alternative modes of action in the field of chronic inflammatory diseases.” says the project research leader Associate Professor Bence Réthi at KI.