Date: 2014-03-28
Type of information: Financing round
Company: Aelis Farma (France)
Investors: Inserm Transfert Initiative (France) Aqui Invest (France) Aquitaine Création Investissement (France)
Amount: €1.3 million
Funding type: seed financing
Planned used: Based on the work carried out by Pier Vincenzo Piazza (Inserm Unit 862 at the Neurocentre Magendie in Bordeaux) and recently published in Science, Aelis Farma is developing pregnenolone derivatives for the treatment of cannabis addiction (“Pregnenolone Can Protect the Brain from Cannabis Intoxication”; Vallée et al., Science 343 (6166): 94-98:
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/343/6166/94). Researchers at the Magendie Institute discovered that the pregnenolone molecule produced by the brain acts as a natural defence mechanism against the harmful effects of cannabis in animals. This hormone, which belongs to the steroid family, prevents THC - the main active agent of cannabis- from fully activating its cerebral receptors, thus blocking the intoxicating effects of the drug. However, pregnenolone cannot be taken in its natural state against cannabis addiction, because it is poorly absorbed and converted into active steroids such as progesterone and testosterone. The researchers developed pregnenolone derivatives that are stable and well-absorbed, thus creating a new pharmacological category of NMPDs (non-metabolised pregnenolone derivatives). Aelis Farma’s objective is to further analyse the potential of these derivatives, and develop what could be the first treatment for cannabis dependence. The company’s aim is also to explore the other potential indications of these compounds. Aelis Farma aims to complete the pre-clinical phase and obtain an IND by mid 2016, so that an IND can be obtained.
Others: * On March 28, 2014, Aelis Farma, a French company created in October 2013, has announced that Inserm Transfert Initiative and the regional funds Aqui Invest and Aquitaine Création Investissement (ACI) are to invest in its capital. The financial investors will provide syndicated capital of €1.3 million to support development of the company’s research projects.
Therapeutic area:
