Danish Hoba Therapeutics and a consortium of national and international partners have received receive DKK 18.4M (≈USD3M) from the Innovation Fund Denmark (IFD) for further development toward clinical trials of the promising drug candidate, HB-086, against neuropathic pain.
More than 600M patients worldwide live with neuropathic pain, described as constant or episodic moderate to severe burning, stinging, or stabbing pain. This chronic condition is caused by disease or lesions in the nervous system, and has major consequences for the patient’s daily routines, work ability and quality of life.
With increasing focus on the treatment of chronic pain (including neuropathic pain) and a critical need for effective, non-addictive new drugs with fewer side effects, the clinical advancement of HB-086 is of great importance to both patients and society.
“Hoba Therapeutics’ goal is to develop better medical treatment with fewer side effects for the many people living with and suffering from neuropathic pain,” said [Kenneth A Petersen, CEO], Hoba Therapeutics. “The grant from IFD allows the project team to continue to advance this program towards the clinic, which would not be possible without additional funds.”
HB-086 is an endogenous protein found only in the nervous system. It has a bearing on the recovery of damaged nerves and possesses unique analgesic properties against neuropathic pain. Data from preclinical studies have confirmed the effect of treatment in a wide range of disease models. The results indicate that HB-086 has a long-lasting effect of up to three weeks duration, and in addition, has the potential to be one of the first drugs with a modifying effect on the underlying disease.
The aim of the project is to establish additional knowledge and generate data toward securing regulatory approval for commencement of clinical trials, initially in healthy volunteers and later in patients. The results will contribute not only to an increased understanding and description of HB-086, but also to a better comprehension of the underlying mechanisms that lead to the disease.
About Columbia University Dept. neurology
Columbia University is one of the oldest in the United States (1909) and was among the first to establish a dedicated program in neurological research. Professor M. Hirano is leading a multidisciplinary team of world-class basic researchers, clinical neurologists and oncologists whose aim is to identify causes, mechanisms and potential treatments for neuropathic pain caused by chemotherapy
About University of Copenhagen (NNCPR):
The Novo Nordisk Fund’s Center for Protein Research (CPR) was established in 2007. Prof. Since 2009, Jesper V. Olsen has led the CPR proteomics group, one of the leading centers in the world in analyzes of dynamic protein-protein interactions and protein expression profiling.
About Aarhus University – Department of Biomedicine
The Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University was formed in 2011 with the merger of 6 institutes. Christian B. Vægter’s group is internationally recognized for their research of peripheral neuropathies and the role of glial cells in the nervous system
About Selexis
Selexis SA is the global leader in cell line development with best-in-class modular technology and highly specialized solutions that enable the life sciences industry to rapidly discover, develop and commercialize innovative medicines and vaccines.
About Axxam
Axxam is an innovative Partner Research Organization (iPRO) providing science driven discovery services to Life Sciences companies (Pharma, Biotech, Animal health, Agrochemical and Nutrition).
About Hoba Therapeutics:
Hoba Therapeutics was established in 2016 with funding from Borean Innovation and Novo Seeds. Our goal is to develop better biological drugs for the treatment of neuropathic pain and other neurological diseases.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.columbianeurology.org
www.axxam.com
www.selexis.com
www. biomed.au.dk
www.cpr.ku.dk
www.hobatherapeutics.com
Inquiries for Columbia University:
Michio Hirano, MD
Professor of Neurology
mh29@cumc.columbia.edu
Inquiries for University of Copenhagen (NNCPR):
Jesper V. Olsen
Deputy Center Director, professor
jesper.olsen@cpr.ku.dk
Inquiries for Aarhus University – Department of Biomedicine:
Christian B. Vægter
Professor of Neurology
mh29@cumc.columbia.edu
Inquiries for Selexis:
Régine Brokamp
Chief Operating Officer
regine.brokamp@selexis.com
Inquiries for Axxam:
Katherina Orellana
Business Development Manager
Katherina.Orellana.KO@axxam.com
Inquiries for Hoba Therapeutics:
Kenneth A Petersen MD, PhD
CEO
keap@hobatherapeutics.com