TRANSLATING INTRACRINOLOGY SCIENCE INTO THERAPEUTIC SOLUTIONS
WHO WE ARE
At Forendo, we are pioneering the translation of intracrinology science into first-in-class therapeutic solutions. Intracrinology enables us to address diseases on an unprecedented tissue specific level. Our lead clinical compound in endometriosis is positioned to address a significant unmet need through its local effect on endometriotic lesions. Our second program is targeting polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which currently has no approved therapies. In addition to women’s health programs, Forendo has a strategic collaboration with Novartis leveraging our unique HSD17B platform in chronic liver diseases. We are based in Finland and backed by leading life science investors.
INVESTORS
• Novo Seeds
• Karolinska Development
• Innovestor
• Novartis Venture Fund
• M Ventures
• Vesalius Biocapital III Partners
• Sunstone Life Science Ventures
We have successfully raised €28M in venture financing since foundation, entered valuable research collaboration with Novartis in 2019 and received R&D risk loans from Business Finland to finance our new discovery work.
EXPERIENCED TEAM
• Founded in 2013 by Finnish drug development pioneers and leading academic endocrinology professionals
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Risto Lammintausta
MD, PhD
CEO
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Risto has over 30 years of drug development experience in different positions of R&D management, from Farmos Group, Orion Pharma, Hormos Medical and QuatRx. During his career, five new compound discoveries have been launched to global markets, including Ospemifene. In 2013, he co-founded and became CEO of Forendo Pharma. Risto has served as board member of multiple biopharma companies and has had positions of trust in associations of Finnish Bioindustry, Chemical Industry and Pharma Industry. He holds M.D., Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology from Turku University.
Maarit Merla
Head of Business
Development
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Maarit is a life science business professional, with over 19 years of international experience in the medical device, diagnostics and pharmaceutical industries. She has been responsible for several operational and R&D functions, marketing and business development, working in global teams across Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America and Asia. Maarit joined Forendo Pharma in August 2015. In her Business Development role at Forendo, she is responsible for fundraising, licensing, partnering and marketing activities. She holds a Masters’ Degree in economics and an executive MBA from Turku University.
Pasi Koskimies
PhD
Project Director
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Pasi is one of the founding members of Forendo. He has over 15 years’ experience in drug development, from the early discovery phases up to First-in-Man clinical studies. During his career he coordinated and led crucial drug development projects for Hormos Medical and QuatRX.
Tero Linnanen
PhD
Head of Drug Discovery
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Tero leads Forendo drug discovery program and he has over 20 years of experience in drug development, from large and small pharma companies. He served as Principal Research Scientist for Orion Pharma and FeF Chemicals. He covers the same role also for 7TM Pharma and AstraZeneca. During his career he authored over 10 publications and 10 patents in drug development. Tero has a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from Uppsala University.
Camilla Stjernschantz
Head of Non-clinical
Development
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Camilla has 15 years of experience within the pharmaceutical industry. She has been responsible for the nonclinical development in a number of projects including both small molecules and biologics. Camilla holds a Master of Pharmaceutical Science degree from Uppsala University and a MSc in Economics from Åbo Akademi University. She joined Forendo in 2014.
Kira Wahlstedt-Lindström
Financial Manager
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Founding member of Forendo with over 15 years´ of experience in business and financial operations working for medical and pharmaceutical companies. She was financial manager also during Hormos Medical and QuatRX, leading the financial department of Hormos Medical. Manages all finances, from strategic planning, financial statements to invoice approval processes. She holds a MSc in Economics from Abo Akademi University.
Leena Hirvelä
PhD
Head of Chemistry
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Leena is a Founding member of Forendo and synthetic chemistry director at Forendo’s laboratory in Oulu. She has over 25 years’ experience in managing Chemistry laboratories during her experiences at HormosMedical, QuatRX and University of Oulu. Leena is an author of 9 patents on drug development during Hormos Medical and Forendo. She has a PhD in Organic Chemistry from University of Oulu.
BOARD MEMBERS
Cristina Csimma
PharmD, MHP, Chair of the Board of Directors
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Cristina Csimma is a biopharmaceutical executive, board director, former CEO, VC, and strategic advisor for companies, NIH and patient foundations. Her extensive experience includes new company formation, financing, multiple exits, and global drug development expertise from early stage through registration. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Caraway Therapeutics (formerly Rheostat), as an independent Board Director at Seneca Biopharmaceuticals (SNCA; formerly Neuralstem Inc) (Nominating and Governance Committee-Chair, and Compensation Committee) and Idera Pharma (IDRA) (Compensation Committee and Science and Technology Committee). She is also a Board Director of the T1D Exchange (non-profit Type 1 Diabetes), on the Muscular Dystrophy Association Venture Philanthropy Scientific Advisory Committee, the Harvard and Brigham and Women’s Hospital MRCT Center External Advisory Board and the TREAT-NMD Advisory Committee for Therapeutics (TACT)where she was a founding chair. Dr. Csimma was previously the Executive Chair of the Board of Directors of Exonics Therapeutics (acquired by Vertexin 2019) from inception through the $40M series A financing within one year of company formation; an independent Board Director of Juniper Pharmaceuticals (Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance committee) which was acquired by Catalentin 2018; an independent Board Director and SAB co-chair of Vtesse Pharma which was acquired in 2017 by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals; and a Board Director of Cydan where she was also President and founding CEO. Other past appointments include Venture Advisor for NEA, multiple SABs and NIH strategic committees. She was previously a Vice President of Drug Development at Virdante Pharmaceuticals, a Principal at Clarus Ventures LLC (now Blackstone), held leadership roles in Clinical Development and Translational Research at Wyeth (now Pfizer) and Genetics Institute. She started her career at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Csimma received her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and a Master of Health Professions from Northeastern University.
Søren Møller, Ph.D.
Managing Partner, Novo Holdings A/S, Novo Seeds
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Søren joined Novo A/S in 2011 as Managing Investment Director of Novo Seeds. Søren obtained his MSc degree from the Technical University of Denmark in 1993 and his PhD degree in molecular biology in 1997 from the Technical University of Denmark. In addition, Søren has academic training as postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University School of Medicine. Prior to joining Novo Seeds, Søren served as global manager of Genomics at Novozymes. Before Novozymes, Søren was CSO and Vice President of R&D at Exiqon A/S. During Søren’s tenure, Exiqon completed an IPO and the company was acquired by Qiagen in 2016. Previously, Søren worked in cancer drug development as head of Lead Identification at BioImage and as research scientist at Novo Nordisk. Søren serves on the Board of Directors of Galecto Inc., EpiTherapeutics (sold to Gilead), AMRA, Biosyntia, Reapplix and Northsea Therapeutics. Since 2008, Søren has been board member of Danish Biotech (the Association of Biotechnology Industries in Denmark) and DVCA (Danish Venture Capital Association).
Viktor Drvota, MD, Ph.D. (Assoc. Prof. Cardiology)
Chief Executive Officer, Karolinska Development
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Viktor Drvota has over 16 years of Venture Capital experience with several investments, significant fundraisings, IPOs and exits. He was responsible for Life science at SEB Venture Capital 2002-2016. During his appointment at SEB VC he also served as a Board member in several biotech and Medtech companies such as Arexis AB, SBL Vaccin AB, Nuevolution AS, Index Pharma AB, Scibase AB, Airsonett AB among others. Before joining SEB in, Dr Drvota worked as Senior Consultant and Associate Professor in Cardiology at the Karolinska Institutet/hospital, Stockholm. Dr Drvota has experience from preclinical as well as clinical research in drug development and medical devices. Dr Drvota has 29 published research articles.
Anja König, Ph.D.
Global Head of Novartis Venture Fund in Basel, Switzerland
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Dr. Anja König is Global Head of Novartis Venture Fund in Basel, Switzerland. She is active in the UK, Switzerland and the rest of Europe. Prior to joining NVF, she was an Associate Partner at McKinsey and Company in New York, a global consultancy, where she worked with healthcare companies in the US, Europe and Emerging Markets. Anja holds a PhD in physics from Cornell University. She serves on the boards of Arctos, Ribon Therapeutics and Forendo Pharma.
Stéphane Verdood
Managing Partner Vesalius Biocapital
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Stéphane is a recognized venture capitalist. He started his career with Arthur Andersen as information technology auditor. After having led the mergers and acquisitions division of Arthur Andersen in Belgium from 1989 to 1995, he founded and led Arthur Andersen’s business consulting division in Belgium and Luxembourg. He served on the European Board of Partners of Arthur Andersen. Since October 2000, before he joined Vesalius Biocapital, Stéphane has been active as a venture coach for early-stage companies. He was a founder and managing partner at Value4Growth, a specialized Life Science consulting firm supporting start-up companies in all aspects of company formation, product strategy and fund raising.
Hakan Goker, Ph.D.
Vice President at M Ventures, the corporate venture capital fund of Merck Serono
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Hakan Goker, PhD, joined M Ventures in 2013. Previously, Hakan was a partner at Aescap Venture in Amsterdam which he joined in 2010. Prior to Aescap, he was at Atlas Venture in London until their cessation of European operations. He was instrumental in the creation and financing, in addition to, business and R&D strategy of various companies including Orphazyme-DK, f-Star NL, Protaffin- Austria/UK, Bicycle Therapeutics -UK, Nimbus Discovery -US, Lumavita -CH, Nitec now Horizon Pharma -CH/US, and Egalet -DK. In addition to the UK, US, Benelux and Switzerland, his global investment and deal flow experience includes the geographies of Scandinavia and Asia. Hakan received his Ph.D. in oncology from the Institute of Cancer Research/ University of London, UK and continued his scientific career with post doctoral work at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Centre/Royal Marsden Hospital. He gained his B.Sc. Hons, from University College London.
Claus Andersson, Ph.D.
General Partner, Sunstone Life Science Ventures
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Claus Andersson is General Partner in Sunstone Life Science Ventures and has been with the team since it was established. Claus has been engaged with more than 20 companies and has held either chairing positions or board memberships to share his experience from the last 16 years of working with entrepreneurs, co-investors and consultants in life sciences. Claus has extensive experience in strategy execution and development from various parts of the Life Science ecosystem: both as an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, scientist, and corporate manager. Claus holds a Master’s degree in Civil Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and a PhD in Mathematical Statistics from the University of Copenhagen and the Humboldt University in Berlin.
David Colpman
Director, Colpman Consulting Ltd
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David Colpman joined Shire in 1999 and was instrumental in delivering the M&A and licensing strategy which was successful in building the company to become a global leader in rare diseases and specialty medicines. Reporting to the CEO he led a team of over 20 BD professionals. Notable transactions included the $4.2bn acquisition of ViroPharma and the acquisition of Sarcode for $160M which delivered the now launched putative blockbuster Xiidra for Dry Eye. Earlier in his career at Shire he identified and led the acquisition of TKT which went on to become the cornerstone of Shire’s successful rare disease business . He also in-licensed Lialda, which achieved of $700M to become sector leader in ulcerative colitis. On leaving Shire David established Colpman Consulting Ltd which is delivering strategic BD advice to Biotech and Pharma sectors. Colpman Consulting has secured transformational deals for Alligator AB, Cormorant AB, Agalimmune ltd and Diaprost AB. Prior to Shire David enjoyed senior roles in BD at Novo Nordisk and Glaxo Wellcome. David is a pharmacist by training and also serves on the Boards of HighCape Capital Acquisition Corp., Orexo AB and HRA Pharma.
Risto Lammintausta, M.D., Ph.D.
CEO of Forendo Pharma
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Risto Lammintausta, M.D., Ph.D. Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology. He has over 30 years of drug development experience in different positions of R&D management, from Farmos Group, Orion Pharma, Hormos Medical and QuatRx. During his career, five new compound discoveries have been launched to global markets, including Ospemifene. In 2013, he co-founded and became CEO of Forendo Pharma. Risto has served as board member of multiple biopharma companies and has had positions of trust in associations of Finnish Bioindustry, Chemical Industry and Pharma Industry.
Forendo Programs
ENDOMETRIOSIS
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects up to 10% of women in reproductive age and causes repeated pain symptoms, infertility and impaired quality of life. Currently available treatments for endometriosis have limitations in efficacy or cause harmful side effects. They often lead to systemic estrogen depletion, with known safety issues on bone mineral density and menopausal symptoms. There is no known cure for the disease. Download a pdf about endometriosis »
TARGETED TREATMENT – HSD17B1 INHIBITOR
Forendo Pharma has developed a potential new treatment for endometriosis based on inhibition of the HSD17B1 enzyme, a novel drug target for tissue specific regulation of hormone activity. Proof of efficacy for this novel mechanism has been demonstrated in primate model of endometriosis. The clinical compound FOR-6219 inhibits the conversion of low potency estrone into highly potent estradiol in endometriotic tissues. The most important expected differentiator of FOR-6219 compared to currently available treatments is its selective activity and the ability to act locally in the target tissues, without impacting systemic hormone levels. This selective activity allows a safe and well tolerated, long term treatment opportunity for endometriosis. FOR-6219 is currently in Phase I clinical development
Endometriosis, Estradiol Synthesis and HSD17B type 1
Our solution
POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS for short, is an endocrine disorder characterized by signs and symptoms of androgen excess and irregular cycles as well as ovarian dysfunction. It is one of the most common conditions in reproductive aged women leading to metabolic disorders, pregnancy complications and infertility. There are currently only symptomatic but no disease-modifying treatment options available.
TARGETED TREATMENT – HSD17B5 INHIBITOR
The HSD17B5 enzyme has a central role in androgen activation in multiple pathways and is also overexpressed in adipose tissue of PCOS patients. Among the various vicious cycles that exist and worsen PCOS, our therapeutic approach is designed to modulate the intra-adipose tissue testosterone production that directly affects further lipid accumulation and insulin resistance. Inhibition of HSD17B5 is expected to lower both intratissue and systemic testosterone levels in women suffering from PCOS. Forendo’s therapeutic program FOR-7191 is currently in the discovery and lead optimization stage and is expected to progress quickly towards clinical trials commencing in 2022.
Forendo and its academic partners will continue to explore the entire therapeutic potential of the HSD17B enzyme class to feed Forendo’s proprietary pipeline and where appropriate partner specific approaches or indications early with selected, high-quality partners.
Moving from “Endo” to “Intra”
Forendo was founded by leading academic endocrinology experts and Finnish drug development pioneers. The translation of intracrinology science into first-in-class therapeutic solutions is at the core of our company. Intracrinology enables us and our partners to address diseases on an unprecedented tissue specific level.
The endocrine pattern of steroid hormones action is based on the fact that hormones are synthesized in the gland and reaches the target organ via the blood circulation. Most therapeutic approaches as a result, have focused on modulating synthesis, activity, and metabolism of hormones on a systemic level.
Recently, a new paradigm has evolved around the concept of “intracrinology”. In the intracrine pattern of steroid hormone action, the ligand concentration available for nuclear receptor binding is regulated also, and more decisively, by the target tissue metabolism itself thus enabling a much more focused and potentially much safer point for therapeutic interventions.
Unlocking the full potential of our HSD17B platform
While they are mostly known for catalyzing the reaction between the low active 17-keto steroids and the highly active 17-hydroxy steroids, members of the hydroxysteroid (17β) dehydrogenase superfamily (HSD17B) have been implicated to play a role in a number of disease processes. As of today, 14 different family members of the HSD17B enzyme class have been identified in humans.
Forendo is currently pursuing fully proprietary therapeutic programs targeting two members of this family – an HSD17B1 inhibitor in endometriosis and a HSD17B5 inhibitor in PCOS. In 2019, Forendo signed a first alliance exploring potential therapeutic applications of a HSD17B family member outside the women’s health arena, more specifically in chronic liver diseases with Novartis.
Through our academic network, we have preferred access to some of the leading scientists in the field exploring disease-related biology aspects of the entire enzyme class in a bandwidth of indications. Our academic partners are pioneering the work on in vitro and in vivo models as well as tumor xenografts using clinical samples in the oncology setting.