Allergy is one of the most common chronic conditions in Europe. Currently, over 150 million Europeans suffer from allergic diseases. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) predicts that by 2025, allergy will affect half the population in Europe. This is where Espoo, Finland-based Desentum Oy is looking to make a difference.
The biotechnology company is developing novel types of allergy vaccines that are based on switching the immune system’s response to allergens from hypersensitivity to tolerance.
In a recent development, the Finnish startup announced on Friday that it has raised €8M in a fresh round of funding from Springvest Oyj.
The company claims to have completed its first-in-human clinical study last year with an immunotherapeutic hypoallergen targeted for treating birch pollen allergy. Birch pollen is tree pollen in Northern and Central Europe and is a major cause of allergic rhinitis and, possibly, asthma symptoms.
Capital utilisation
The company claims the majority of proceeds from this round will be used to further invest in its clinical development. The remaining funds will be used for the research and development of new hypoallergens – especially grass pollen and peanut – as well as for partnering activities to support late-stage clinical trials and market access.
Pekka Mattila, CEO of Desentum, says, “Allergy treatment is still waiting for a breakthrough that would free hundreds of millions of people from the yearly misery during pollen season or the fear of common food items. Desentum is working towards this kind of breakthrough. The safety of the patients is the basis of all drug development, and the goal is naturally a product that is clinically proven safe and efficacious. This funding will provide us with the resources to focus on achieving the goals.”
Desentum’s immunotherapeutic hypoallergens
Founded in 2011 by Pekka Mattila, Desentum develops novel immunotherapeutic hypoallergens, so-called allergy vaccines. The hypoallergens are biotechnologically produced, modified allergen proteins with an aim to improve the efficiency of allergen immunotherapy as well as reduce the time required for treatment.
Desentum’s goal is to provide long-term relief for patients suffering from allergic symptoms, as well as to reduce the social and economic burden allergies caused to both individuals and society.
According to the company, their lead product candidate, birch pollen hypoallergen DM-101, has passed a first-in-human clinical study. In the study, DM-101 was found to be safe and well-tolerated with the highest of the tested dosing regimens and immunological marker results indicating a favourable change in the markers associated with a protective response.
Mattila mentioned in a statement from October 2021, “We are very happy to have completed the clinical study despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The preclinical models available for testing allergen immunotherapy products are indicative at best, so the first-in-human clinical study was an important milestone towards the clinical proof-of-concept. Although this was an early-phase study, the results are very encouraging and provide valuable information for planning the next study.”
Desentum is a spin-off company from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. In 2018, the company was awarded a €1.9M grant from Horizon 2020 SME instrument for the first-in-human clinical trial and business development.
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