Karolinska Development’s portfolio company, Dilaforette, recently entered into an collaboration agreement with Arabian Gulf University (AGU) for phase-two clinical development of sevuparin for sickle cell disease.
Under the agreement, AGU will give Dilaforette up to $1.2 million in non-dilutive funding and help recruit patients for a phase-two study evaluating the safety of the drug for the treatment of a common painful complication of sickle cell disease known as vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC).
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that restricts blood flow to vital organs. Sevuparin has been developed to restore blood flow, which, in turn, is expected to reduce pain and hospital stays. Study results should be available later this year.
“This is an attractive deal for Dilaforette,” Karolinska Development CEO Jim Van Heusden said. “We are looking forward to the results of this study given our belief that sevuparin could play an important role in treating the VOCs, which cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients with sickle cell disease.”
In addition to strengthening AGU’s clinical research capabilities, the collaboration deal with Dilaforette also involves the Bahrain-based university receiving royalties on future product revenues.
