Developing the next-generation
biological drugs for treating wounds
in skin and mucosa
Developing the next-generation
biological drugs for treating wounds
in skin and mucosa
Twenty-one of the most talented and inspiring women entrepreneurs in Europe and beyond are in the shortlist for the EU Prize for Women Innovators 2020. The prize celebrates the outstanding achievements of female entrepreneurs running innovative companies and is funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme for research and innovation. This year’s finalists are pioneering game-changing innovations across a wide range of industries and help combat global challenges. The winners of the EU Prize for Women Innovators 2020 will be announced at the European Research and Innovation Days taking place on 22-24 September 2020. At the same event, the Commission will award the European Capital of Innovation 2020, the EIC Horizon Prize for Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid, and the Horizon Impact Award 2020.
Ilya Pharma, clinical stage biopharmaceutical development is currently pursuing three projects with drug candidates from its own technology platform to PoC in clinical phase I and II.
Human therapeutic proteins are produced at the actual wound site by live lactic acid bacteria acting as mini-bioreactors. This provides a new and cost effective way to deliver biological drugs. The formulation is freezedried with good stability and the lactic acid bacteria are revived immediately prior to use by adding a small volume of buffer solution.
The drug candidates are classified as ATMP or gene therapies by the EMA and FDA and the project is fully compliant.
The innovation stems from cutting edge medical research in immunophysiology and applied microbiology at Uppsala University and the Swedish University of Agriculture. The treatments target the function of tissue-resident immune cells and the mechanism of accelerated healing in skin wounds was published in PNAS 2018.
Unmet clinical needs targeted by ILYA Pharma are treatment of post surgical wounds in special populations, problematic diabetic wounds, and indications in the gastrointestinal tract, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
For wound healing, we expect to deliver clinical value by providing cost efficient biological treatments substantially cheaper than traditional biologicals and with better efficacy than medical devices.
The company is currently running a first in human trial with the lead candidate ILP100, EudraCT No. 2019000680-24 and are planning the phase II program to be conducted under an IND.
Ilya Pharma is today financed by a mix of grants and private funding. The company received a H2020 SME Instrument phase II grant 2018 of 3M Euro. The company is currently raising a Series A for the continued clinical development in phase II from suitable investors and potential partners with proven track record in cell- and gene therapy and biologics.
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Evelina Vågesjö, CEOCo-founder, PhD in physiology, MBA focus Finance and MnA. Developed methods to steer immune cell functions and delineated a new mechanism of action during in tissue regeneration. Have managed the project from initial idea to clinical proof of concept and scaling of the company. |
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Mia Phillipson, Co-founderProfessor in Physiology at Uppsala University. Internationally recognized expert in physiology and immunology. Multiple discoveries in Professor Phillipson’s lab have led to clinical initiatives. |
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Peter Frank, COOBackground in the industry of more than 15 years working with development of biologics. Previous recent positions at GE Healthcare and Galderma as project manager, responsible for CMC, taking a compound through the development and critical phases from clinical Phase I to Phase III and setting up manufacturing. |
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Ingemar Kihlström, Chairman of the BoardExtensive experience in finance and drug development at multiple firms including Astra Zeneca and Pharmacia. PhD in physiology/toxicology from Uppsala University. Experience from serving at the board of >30 companies often as chairman. Co-founder of life science companies and managed several licensing deals and IPOs in the industry. |
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Andreas Fasth, Head of Clinical DevelopmentsBackground in research in translational immunology at the Rheumatology Unit at Karolinska Institutet, and more than ten years experience of work in Medical Affairs and Clinical Development in big Pharma companies, including MSD and Novartis. |
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Lovisa Ringstad, Head of CMCPhD in Pharmacy. Background in biophysical chemistry with focus on formulation development and topical administration. More than ten years experience from project management in the Pharma industry and at research institutes (most recent at RISE). |
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Stefan Roos, Co-founderAssociate Professor in Microbiology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Has long research experience in microbiology and bacteria-host interactions. Special expertise in lactic acid bacteria biology, technology transfer and the commercialization of probiotic innovations. Provides lab space and equipment. Is part-time employed at Biogaia, which benefits rather than conflicts with our projects. Has an extensive network in probiotics and drug development in Lactobacillus via Infant Bacterial Therapeutics. |
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Margareth Jorvid, Head of Regulatory AffairsMargareth Jorvid has over 30 years of experience in Regulatory Affairs and has worked at the Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA) as well as large and small pharmaceutical companies, such as Roussel Nordiska, Hoechst Marion Roussel (Stockholm and Paris, France) and Neopharma. Since 2006, consultant in regulatory affairs and QA for pharmaceuticals, advanced therapies and medical devices through her company Methra Uppsala AB, LSM group. She is a member and honorary member of TOPRA (Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs), board member and TOPRA president from 2005-2006. MSc Pharm, MSc MTRA and MBA. |
