Abarceo Pharma, a pre-clinical stage company, is developing a platform for the treatment of mitochondrial diseases, with an initial focus on Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).
Abarceo Pharma is a spin-out of Lund University Diabetes Center founded in 2017 by Prof. Claes Wollheim, MD, and Associate Prof. Albert Salehi world-renowned scientists in diabetes research and beta-cell biology. Abarceo Pharma has identified a novel diabetes target VDAC1 located on beta cells and a novel mechanism of action enabling a therapeutic treatment to revert beta cells from dysfunctional to functional, preserving beta cell function and allowing patients to produce their insulin again, naturally. The company founders were the first to describe that voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) is dysfunctional and presents a novel target in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). VDAC1 is a key mitochondrial protein regulating the energy production in cells and has been implicated in multiple diseases with underlying mitochondrial dysfunction including neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disease (CVD). These diseases are closely related to T2D and are often referred to as comorbidities.
Abarceo Pharma is developing a small molecule technology platform for the treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction, with an initial focus on T2D.
Huge Market, strong growth in T2D;upside also in other diseases
The initial focus is addressing the #1 unmet need identified by diabetes health care professionals as a disease-modifying treatment with sustainable blood glucose control.
Platform Technology
The Company has identified and patented small molecules restoring T2D patient beta-cell function by inhibition of dysfunctional VDAC1.
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Huge Market, strong growth in T2D; upside also in other diseases
The initial focus is addressing the unmet need for effective and sustainable control of T2D, a disease affecting 1 in 10 adults.
Diabetes is a growing pandemic fueled by lifestyle changes and demographics. Today, there are more than 500 million T2D patients world-wide, and this number is predicted to rise to almost 800 million by 2045.
Diabetes caused at least EUR 836 billion in health expenditure – a 316% increase over the last 15 years.
Emerging data show that blocking dysfunctional VDAC1 can have an effect also in other mitochondrial diseases like cardiovascular disease (CVD) and dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease; AD).
Abarceo is addressing unmet medical needs in T2D, CVD, and AD, representing markets exceeding EUR 120 billion.
Platform Technology
Abarceo is developing a broad platform for the treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction, with an initial focus on T2D.
Emerging data show that blocking dysfunctional VDAC1 can have an effect also in other mitochondrial diseases like cardiovascular disease and dementia.
Abarceo’s strategy is to continue to establish Preclinical Proof of Concept in animal models of T2D, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
The company is exploring additional high-value indications driven by mitochondrial VDAC1 dysfunction.
Management
Kristian Hansen
CEO
Claes Wollheiim
CSO