Current and former portfolio companies
Absorber AB
Absorber AB
Status
FormerAbsorber developed products to facilitate more successful transplantations. The company launched its standardized transplantation test XM-ONE® in 2006, used to evaluate organ transplantation risk. The company was aquired by Allenex AB in 2010 which was subsequently acquired by CareDx in 2016.
Accuro Immunology
Accuro Immunology
Status
FormerAccuro Immunology was a biomedical R&D company focusing on the development of novel immunotherapies for treatment of cancer. The company developed a new concept, TEIPP-based immunotherapy in collaboration with scientists at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, and Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
Actar AB
Status
FormerActar was a fully owned subsidiary of Karolinska Development, enabling academic ideas by pre-clinical research services focused on innovative drug targets.
Akinion Pharmaceuticals AB
Status
FormerAkinion Pharmaceuticals developed kinase receptor inhibitors for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. The company's phase 1/2 clinical study with AKN-028 was halted due to liver toxicity in a small number of patients. In 2016, Karolinska Development divested its holding in Akinion to Accelerated Innovations AB.
AnaCardio
Status
CurrentAnaCardio is developing a new form of drug concept that protects cardiac tissue in conjunction with heart failure. AnaCardio’s clinical candidate drug is being developed to restore the heart’s normal muscular function and blood circulation with ground-breaking and safer technique than currently available treatment options. The Company’s goal is to develop an oral drug that in contrast to existing treatments can affect the underlying cause of disease. AnaCardio was founded based on ground-breaking research from Karolinska Institutet.
Antrad Medical
Status
FormerAntrad Medical offers thawing devices and thawing of sensitive biological material. This is made possible through their radio frequency (RF) technology.
Aprea Therapeutics
Status
CurrentAprea Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with research facilities in Stockholm, Sweden, focusing on developing and commericliazing novel cancer therapeutics targeting DNA damage response (DDR) pathways.
Asarina Pharma
Status
FormerAsarina Pharma is a Swedish biotech company developing Sepranolone for Allopregnanolone-related stress, compulsion, menstrual and neurological disorders. The company was listed on Nasdaq First North in 2018 and divested from the KD portfolio in 2019.
Athera Biotechnologies AB
Status
FormerAthera was a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing targeted anti-inflammatory biological drugs for the prevention and treatment of immunovascular disease. The proprietary clinical development stage program, PC-mAb, was supported by a proprietary diagnostic kit. In 2015, Karolinska Development divested its holding in Athera to Östersjöstiftelsen and Industrifonden.
Avaris AB
Avaris AB
Status
FormerAvaris developed primarily cancer therapies based on prorietary knowledge in cell and gene therapy.
Axelar AB
Axelar AB
Status
FormerAxelar developed a unique first-in-class treatment for different types of cancers. The lead candidate, Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-IR) inhibitor AXL1717, has shown pronounced antitumor activity in clinical setting. In 2017, the FDA and EMA granted Axelar an Orphan Drug Designation for AXL1717 for the treatment of glioma. In 2015, Karolinska Development divested its holding in Axelar to Östersjöstiftelsen.
BioArtic AB
Status
FormerBioArctic is a Swedish research-based biopharma company focusing on disease-modifying treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and ALS. The FDA approved LEQEMBI™ (lecanemab-irmb) under the Accelerated Approval pathway for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in January 2023. BioArctic was listed on the NASDAQ Stockholm Exchange in 2017. A partial exit of BioArctic was completed in the fourth quarter of 2017 which yielded 80 times Karolinska Development’s initial investment in the company and it was followed up in April 2018 by selling the remaining holdings.
BioChromix AB
Status
FormerBioChromix developed in vitro diagnostic tests for neurodegenerative diseases that involve misfolded proteins, such as Alzheimer’s. The company was acquired by Cadila Pharmaceuticals Sweden in 2014.
BioCis Pharma Oy
Status
FormerBioCis Pharma developed topical therapies for dermatology and locally administered products in oncology. The company merged with Lx Therarapies to Laurantis Pharma in 2011 and was later aquired by Herantis Pharma.
Bioneris AB
Status
FormerBioneris developed the alpha trinositol molecule for oncology. Alpha trinositol and its derivatives play an essential rolw in the development of many cancer types.
BioResonator AB
Status
FormerBioResonator developed and sold advanced intraocular pressure gauges used to diagnose glaucoma. The technology used in the instrument was developed by researchers at Umeå University.
Biosergen
Status
CurrentBiosergen AB is a biotech company developing innovative antifungal drugs based on latest biopharmaceutical research and development from laboratory facilities in Trondheim, Norway and several other places worldwide. The company’s lead candidate BSG005, has demonstrated significant safety and potency advantages over competing antifungals and is aimed towards invasive fungal infections that claim the lives of hundreds of thousands of immune-compromised AIDS, cancer and organ transplant patients every year.
BOOST Pharma
Status
CurrentBOOST Pharma was founded based on research from Karolinska Institutet, focusing on novel cell therapy treatments for osteogenesis imperfecta, OI. The company’s treatment has a unique position on the market, since it targets the underlying condition causing fractures and bone deformities, unlike any other product under development.
C-rad AB
Status
FormerC-RAD is a medtech company originating from Karolinska Institutet and KTH that develops surface-guided imaging solutions for radiation therapy.
Calabar International AB
Status
FormerCalabar International originated from Karolinska Institutet and developed drugs for the treatment of xerostomia, or dry mouth. The company was divested in 2011.
CarbGraft
Status
FormerCarbGraft developed ChitografTM, a proprietary bone graft technology based on chitosan for applications in oral implants, orthopedics and other medical fields.
Clanotech AB
Status
FormerClanotech is developed compounds for the treatment of solid cancers and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Clanotech’s lead candidate drug was an inhibitor of the alpha5beta1-integrin receptor. Karolinska Development sold its shares to Rosetta Capital via an earn-out agreement 2016.
Cogmed AB
Status
FormerCogmed, founded in 2001, digitial programs for memory training programs for people with concentration difficulties. The company was sold to Pearson Overseas Holding Limited in 2010.
CytoGuide ApS
Status
FormerCytoGuide was a danish biotech company that focused on drug development for the treatment of monocyte- and macrophage-related diseases.
DermaGen
DermaGen
Status
FormerDermaGen developed topical therapeutics based on novel and proprietary antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Karolinska Development owned its holding in the company through Pergamum AB (later Promore Pharma). Karolinska Development divested its entire holding in the company in 2015.
Dilafor
Status
CurrentDilafor AB is a women’s health company based in Stockholm, Sweden, developing tafoxiparin for obstetric indications, with particular reference to protracted labor and associated complications. Protracted labor represents a significant unmet clinical need and is the major cause of emergency Caesarean Sections as well as several other serious complications affecting both the mother and the newborn baby. The company was founded in 2003 by scientists from Karolinska Institutet, Lund University, Uppsala University and experts with significant experience from the pharmaceutical industry.
Eribis Pharmaceuticals
Status
FormerEribis Pharmaceuticalsdeveloped new drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, specifically myocardial infarction.
EvoStem Oy
EvoStem Oy
Status
FormerEvoStem based in Tampere, Finland, developed treatment methods based on stem cell technology and tissue engineering for regenerative medicine. The company's product TendoStem was on the market in Scandinavia for tendon and ligament injuries in horses. Karolinska Development sold its holding in Evostem to one of the company's founders in 2009.
Forendo Pharma Oy
Status
FormerForendo Pharma was founded in 2013 in Turku, Finland, and has built a scientific platform around the enzyme HSD17B. The company's most advanced drug candidate, FOR-6219, is developed as potential treatment for endometriosis. Forendo was acquired by Organon in 2021 for a total purchase price of USD 945 million. Karolinska Development has an earn-out agreement that is still active.
Genordia
Genordia
Status
FormerGenordia produced biotechnical reagents in the siRNA area for use in gene silencing experiments. They used a unique proprietary technology, which enabled that very rapid, reliable and cost effective tools could be offered to molecular biologists.
GliGene AB
Status
FormerGilGene was an oncology company focused on Hedgehog-signaling for targeted cancer treatment.
Global Genomics
Global Genomics
Status
FormerGlobal Genomics was a Swedish company with a patented technology for rapid and accurate global expression analysis of genes. The company merged with Genizon BioSciences.
HBV Theranostica AB
Status
FormerHBV Theranostica developed a marker for the assessment of which Hepatitis B patients are responders to a treatment with interferon-alpha.
Henlez
Status
FormerHenlez is a Danish company with a pre-clinical development program for an enzyme-based, topical application directed towards the chronic dermatological condition hidradenitis suppurativa
IMED AB
Status
FormerIMED developed human antibodies for the treatment of immune disorders and diseases associated with deregulation of cell death; apoptosis.
Independent Pharmaceuticals AB
Independent Pharmaceuticals AB
Status
FormerIPAB developed a treatment method for nicotine addicted patients based on new vaccine technology and innovative pharmacological approaches.
InDex Pharmaceuticals AB
Status
FormerInDex Pharmaceuticals develops drugs for the treatment of immunological diseases. Their lead drug candidate cobitolimod, is currently in phase 3 clinical development to treat ulcerative colitis. Karolinska Development sold its holding in 2011. InDex shares have been listed on the NASDAQ First North Growth Market since October 2016.
Inhalation Sciences Sweden AB
Status
FormerInhalation Sciences has developed a research and development platform which provides the possbility for companies developing inhaled pharmaceuticals to generate high quality data during the early development stage. Karolinska Development sold its holding in the company in 2017. Inhalation Sciences is listed on the Swedish stock market via Spotlight Stock Market since 2017.
Inhalox Technology
Inhalox Technology
Status
FormerInhalox developed technology for oxygen treatment. The company developed a process that produces pure oxygen from air, using a new class of oxygen selective agents for air separation.
Jederstrom Pharmaceuticals AB
Jederstrom Pharmaceuticals AB
Status
FormerJederstrom Pharmaceuticals developed new formulations for oral delivery of therapeutic proteins, such as insulin. The patented technology enabled the formation of a complex between biomolecules and myaluronan that was many times smaller than the original molecule. Karolinska Development sold its shares in the company in 2009.
Lipidor AB
Status
FormerLipidor is a research and development company with a pipeline of pharmaceutical development projects in preclinical and clinical phases. The company develops topical medical products for the treatment of diseases such as psoriasis, acne vulgaris, bacterial skin infections and atopic dermatitis by reformulation of proven pharmaceutical substances. Lipidor has been listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market since September 2019. Karolinska Development sold its shares in Lipidor in July 2021.
Lipopeptide AB
Status
FormerLipopeptide, which was owned by Pergamum AB (later Promore Pharma) from 2010, was a biopharmaceutical company specialized in the development of therapeutic peptides for treatment of hard-to-heal wounds. Karolinska Development divested its entire holding in the company in 2015.
Modus Therapeutics
Status
CurrentModus Therapeutics is a Swedish biotech company developing sevuparin for diseases with high unmet medical need. The Company’s near-term focus is to develop sevuparin for patients with sepsis/septic shock, a severe and often fatal condition.
NeoDynamics
Status
FormerNeoDynamics has developed an innovative biopsy system called NeoNavia®. This biopsy system builds on a patented pulse technology, based on research at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The company is listed on the Swedish stock market via Spotlight Stock Market since 2017.
NephroGenex Inc
Status
FormerNephroGenex Inc developed Pyridorin™ (pyridoxamine dihydrochloride) as a treatment to slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease. Pyridorin was acquired for shares from BioStratum, Inc in 2014. NephroGenex listed on Nasdaq in 2014. The company was subsequently delisted and filed for bankrupcy in 2016.
NeuroTherapeutics AB
Status
FormerNeuroTherapuetics developed cell processing technology to regulate neruogenesis and stem cell differentiation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
NovaSAID AB
Status
FormerNovaSAID developed new drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
OmnioHealer AB
Status
FormerOmnioHealer was developing products based on plasminogen for wound healing applications with a focus on ear diseases. Karolinska Development owned its holding in the company through Pergamum AB (later Promore Pharma). Karolinska Development divested its entire holding in the company in 2015.
Oncopeptides AB
Status
FormerOncopeptides is a biotech company focused on the development of targeted therapies for difficult-to-treat hematological diseases. Oncopeptides uses its proprietary PDC platform to develop peptide-linked drugs that rapidly and selectively deliver chemotherapy agents into cancer cells. Oncopeptides is listed in the Mid Cap segment on Nasdaq Stockholm. Karolinska Development sold the holding in the company in 2012 in exchange for Industrifondens shares in Aprea AB and an earn-out agreement.
OncoReg AB
OncoReg AB
Status
FormerOncoReg developed drugs based on inhibition of the enzyme tripeptidylpeptidase which increases the senstitivity of cancer tumors to radiation and chemotherapy.
OssDsign
Status
CurrentOssDsign is a developer and global provider of next generation orthobiologics products. Based on cutting edge material science, the company develops and markets products that support the body's own healing capabilities, giving patients back the life they deserve.
OssDsign's share is traded on Nasdaq First North Growth Market in Stockholm, Sweden.
Pergamum AB
Status
FormerPergamum AB gathered Karolinska Developments' dermatology and wound healing portfolio. The company changed its name to Promore Pharma in 2016. Promore Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company that develops peptide-based drug candidates in scarring and wound treatment. The company is listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. Karolinska Development divested its entire holding in the company in 2015.
Pharmanest AB
Status
FormerPharmanest, now Palette Life Science, offers products in radiotherapy and interventional oncology procedures, urology and colorectal conditions. Karolinska Development divested its shares in 2019.
PharmaSurgics in Sweden AB
Status
FormerPharmaSurgics developed a treatment for prevention of harmful scarring and promotion of wound healing after surgery. The product concept was based on proprietary synthetic peptides of human lactoferrin which have strong anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious properties. Karolinska Development owned its holding in the company through Pergamum AB (later Promore Pharma). Karolinska Development divested its entire holding in the company in 2015.
PharmNovo
Status
CurrentPharmNovo develops innovative drugs for the treatment of nerve pain (neuropathic pain). Neuropathic pain is one of the most prevalent types of chronic pain and affects up to 10per cent of the population. PharmNovo’s novel drug candidate, based on a drug development project at AstraZeneca targets a different receptor than conventional opioid drugs; the delta opioid receptor, and thus reduces chronic pain without any of the unwanted effects of currently marketed opioids.
Promimic
Status
CurrentPromimic is a growth company that manufactures, markets, and sells biomaterials for improved osseointegration (bone healing) to leading companies in the markets for orthopedic and dental implants. The company has its origins in research at Chalmers University of Technology and today has its head office in Mölndal, Sweden, and a sales office in the US. To date, more than 700,000 operations with implants using the Company's technology have been carried out around the world.
ProNoxis AB
Status
FormerProNoxis develops new low molecular weight drugs for the treatment of chronic inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and peritonitis. Karolinska Development divested its shares in 2012.
SIDEC Technologies AB
Status
FormerSidec Technologies offered the pharmaceutical industry visualization of the 3-dimensional shape of proteins and how they interact in situ, ie in their biological environment, through electron microscopy. Karolinska Development sold its shares in Sidec to KIHAB in the beginning of 2009.
SoftCure Pharmaceuticals AB
SoftCure Pharmaceuticals AB
Status
FormerSoftCure Pharmaceuticals modified existing potent drugs with high toxicity to topically administred drugs, enabling local treatment without systemic side effects.
SpectraCure AB
Status
FormerSpectraCure is developing systems for the treatment of internal solid cancer tumours. The method is based on photodynamic therapy (PDT) where a light-activated drug is activated through laser to treat the tumor. SpectraCure’s share is listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market. Karolinska Development sold its holding in 2009.
SVF Vaccines AB
Status
CurrentSVF Vaccines develops vaccines and immunotherapies to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases based on technology developed at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Current development is focused on a therapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis B and D infection, and a prophylactic vaccine targeting both the current COVID-19 pandemic and other coronavirus infections.
Triple Crown AB
Triple Crown AB
Status
FormerTriple Crown developed and commercialized its sterol-based cholesterol-lowering ingredient Prolocol to be incorporated into functional food products and nutraceuticals.
Umecrine Cognition
Status
CurrentUmecrine Cognition is developing a completely new type of drug for neurological disorders in the brain that can occur as a result of a number of underlying diseases and lead to severely reduced cognition and alertness. The results from an internationally recognized clinical phase 2 study indicate that the company’s most advanced drug candidate, golexanolone, improves brain signaling and cognition and alertness in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.The continued development of golexanolone is initially focused on patient groups whose symptoms have arisen as a result of chronic liver diseases, but the mechanism of action is also relevant in a number of other indication areas. The company has its origins in research at Umeå University.
Xpray Pharma AB
Status
FormerXSpray Pharma is a pharmaceutical company with several product candidates in clinical development, the first XS004 dasatinib recently filed with the FDA. The company uses its innovative, patented RightSize™ technology to develop improved versions of marketed drugs, primarily protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs), for the treatment of cancer. Karolinska Development sold its holding to Östersjöstiftelsen and Recipharm Venture Fund in 2015. The company was listed on First North in 2017.