New initiative targeting one of the deadliest cancers: UNIIQ invests in Pepper Therapeutics
Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest forms of cancer worldwide, accounting for approximately 466,000 deaths each year. In the Netherlands alone, around 3,150 people die annually from the disease. The prognosis remains extremely poor: only 5% of patients are still alive five years after diagnosis. Existing treatment options offer limited survival benefits for many patients.
Pepper Therapeutics is developing fenformine as a potential new treatment for pancreatic cancer. With a €350,000 investment, UNIIQ and Erasmus MC Holding support the company’s further development towards the clinical phase.
From existing drug to new application in pancreatic cancer
Fenformine is not an entirely new compound. Its safety profile and mechanism of action are already known. In preclinical studies using models of human pancreatic cancer, the drug has demonstrated promising effects.
The next phase focuses on preparing and initiating phase I/II clinical trials. These studies will assess safety, tolerability and early signals of efficacy when fenformine is combined with chemotherapy. At the same time, production is being further scaled to ensure suitability for clinical use.
“From day one, we defined our mission as a societal one. We combine a solid business case with Socially Responsible Licensing and a cost-based pricing model with a modest margin. This enables us to invest in development while ensuring that a potential new treatment for pancreatic cancer remains affordable for patients and healthcare systems.”
— Vincent van der Wel, CEO Pepper Therapeutics B.V.
Collaboration with academic partners
Pepper Therapeutics collaborates with Stichting Overleven Alvleesklierkanker (SOAK), RARE-NL, Amsterdam UMC, Erasmus MC and Orfenix. To date, the company has raised €1.2 million in total funding, of which €350,000 was provided by UNIIQ and Erasmus MC Holding.
The primary market is the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma within the oncology therapeutics market. In addition, the company is exploring the potential application of fenformine in other cancer types where dysregulated metabolism plays a role.
From preclinical evidence to clinical reality
With the support of UNIIQ and other partners, Pepper Therapeutics is transitioning from further product development to clinical application. Over the next 18 months, the focus will be on clinical readiness and the initiation of first-in-human studies.
About Pepper Therapeutics
Pepper Therapeutics is a Dutch biotech company developing a new treatment for pancreatic cancer. The company is advancing fenformine as a targeted therapy with the ambition of creating an affordable and widely accessible treatment option for one of the world’s most lethal cancers.
