www-com-develops-45.html
Novo Annual Report 2015
46 / 72
exit
epitherapeutics
e pitherapeutics aps was founded in september 2008 with novo
seeds as the lead investor. the company was established based on seminal research
conducted into the emerging field of epigenetics by professor kristian helin and his team of scientists at the biotech research & innovation centre (bric), university of copenhagen. the helin group is one of the world?s leading research teams within epigenetics. epigenetic targets are expected to offer new treatment options for a range of diseases, including cancer, inflammation and other debilitating conditions. in 2008, epitherapeutics set out to develop new drugs targeting specific epigenetic enzymes ? the so-called histone demethylases. from early discovery to successful exit over the years, the talented team at epitherapeutics has skilfully converted their early scientific discoveries into solid drug development programmes and pre-clinical drug candidates. the results were so successful that the company?s programmes and technology platform attracted the attention of gilead sciences inc., an innovative and fast-growing biopharmaceutical company in california. recognising the potential of epitherapeutics? pioneering work, gilead put in a bid for the company. and in may 2015, the company acquired epitherapeutics for dkk 444 million. commenting on the acquisition, ceo of epitherapeutics, martin bonde explains: ?i am very proud to be heading a team that has managed to transform ground-breaking research into a technology platform, and further translate this into a drug candidate that has attracted the attention of one of the world's leading biotech companies. we are confident that with gilead?s acquisition, our discoveries will have the best chance of developing into therapies that will benefit patients.? bringing innovative science to market martin bonde is not the only one who is proud of epitherapeutics? progress. according to søren møller, managing investment director at novo seeds, the sale of epitherapeutics captures the essence of what novo seeds works to achieve. ?working closely with world-class scientists and entrepreneurs, novo seeds was instrumental in launching epitherapeutics,? says søren møller. ?we helped put the management team and the board together, led the syndication efforts and the funding of the company, and finally, facilitated the trade sale to one of the world?s leading biotechs. on top of all this, we generated an attractive return on our investment.? epitherapeutics illustrates how pioneering research, entrepreneurship and venture capital come together to create new jobs, financial returns and potentially new treatments for patients. we are positive that success stories such as this will influence further entrepreneurship and investments in the future, and strengthen a growing, successful life science industry in the nordic region. in may 2015, one of the flagships in the novo seeds portfolio was acquired by one of the world?s leading biopharmaceuticals in an important deal for a scandinavian biotech. the development and exit of epitherapeutics is a best-case example of how novo seeds has helped realise the commercial potential of pioneering research. fast facts on epigenetics and epitherapeutics? discoveries the seminal epigenetic research conducted by professor kristian helin and his team at bric, copenhagen has led to an understanding of how normal cell biology is regulated and, by the same token, what goes wrong in cancer cells. professor helin?s discovery of a new protein family provided a unique opportunity to connect the basic research conducted into cancer with the development of pharmaceuticals. epitherapeutics? research could lead to important advances in the treatment of cancer and other serious illnesses. novo a/s 46 novo seeds
martin-bonde-companies-47.html
