Lipum is developing a novel treatment for chronic inflammatory diseases, with a specific focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The company’s drug candidate, SOL-116, is an antibody that blocks the novel target protein Bile Salt-Stimulated Lipase (BSSL), which is expected to enable effective and safe treatment.
To further enhance its therapeutic capabilities, Lipum has initiated a project in collaboration with Age Labs, an Oslo-based life science company specialising on research and development of diagnostic tools and biomarkers. The company excels in analysing epigenetic changes in immune cells and developing predictive algorithms to identify biomarkers for early disease detection and risk assessment.
May facilitate patient selection
The collaboration between Lipum and Age Labs aims to generate new knowledge and technology for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with the drug candidate SOL-116. The objective is to develop a method to predict which RA patients will respond to the treatment, which could streamline patient selection and yield clearer treatment outcomes in upcoming clinical trials.
In the long term, the project may lead to the development of a diagnostic test that identifies patients most likely to benefit from SOL-116, enabling a more individualised treatment approach for RA.
According to previous statements by Lipum’s CEO Ola Sandborgh, the final results of the project could also be valuable to future regulatory activities and subsequent commercialisation of SOL-116.
Financial grant from Eurostars
The project, which spans three years, has a total budget of approximately EUR 1.9 million. About 50 per cent of the costs are covered through financial support from Eurostars, via grants from Vinnova and the Research Council of Norway. Eurostars is a funding programme supported by the EU through Horizon Europe (formerly Horizon 2020) and is designed to support innovative small and medium-sized enterprises developing innovative products.
Lipum and Age Labs submitted an application to Eurostar in 2024. The competition was fierce, with many applicants, but Lipum succeeded in receiving approval after a rigorous review and evaluation of all applications.
– We are very pleased to receive support from Eurostars in the face of tough competition. The funding and continued collaboration with Age Labs will open opportunities to select patients suitable for treatment with SOL-116
– This is expected to be valuable in future clinical trials and could lead to a future offering of precision medicine with SOL-116 that can reach the market faster for the benefit of patients who lack good treatment options today, says Ola Sandborgh, CEO of Lipum.
Age Labs discusses the project
A key figure in the project is Cathrine Hadley, Head of Clinical Development at Age Labs since March 2020. She is a Medical Doctor with extensive clinical experience in internal medicine and cardiology, and holds a PhD in emergency medicine. Cathrine also has experience leading large clinical multi-centre trials,
BioStock reached out to Cathrine to learn more about Age Labs’ operations and the collaborative project with Lipum.
Could you begin by providing an overview of Age Labs’ business operations and the role epigenetics plays in the development of diagnostic tools?
– Age Labs specialises in bioinformatics and biomarker discovery. We use machine learning to analyse large epigenetic and proteomic datasets to develop diagnostic tests that enable earlier disease detection and guide treatment decisions. Our partners include pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and research institutions, and our lead biomarker is for detecting RA earlier.
– Epigenetics reflects which genes are active, and is influenced by both genetic predisposition and our environmental exposure. Because changes in epigenetic markers often occur before clinical symptoms appear, they are well-suited for detecting diseases earlier than conventional tests.
– In oncology, the introduction of epigenetic tests has enabled personalised treatment, helping doctors choose therapies based on a patient’s biology rather than assumptions. We aim to bring the same personalised approach to patients with autoimmune diseases.
| Epigenetics | Epigenetics explores gene activity. Chemical tags such as DNA methylation act like switches that turn genes on or off. These modifications are influenced by environmental factors such as diet and stress, are reversible, and play a key role in the patient health and disease condition. |
| Proteomics | Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, -the active molecules that perform most vital functions in the body. Genes provide the blueprint, epigenetics control which proteins are produced, and proteomics reveals which proteins are present and in what amounts. This provides key insights into disease mechanisms and patient health status. |
How will Age Lab’s expertise in this field be applied to the collaboration with Lipum?
– Lipum and Age Labs bring complementary expertise to the project. Lipum has developed an innovative and promising drug candidate for RA, while Age Labs specialises in biomarker discovery and bioinformatics. Using our machine learning platform, we will analyse Lipum’s data to identify and validate biomarkers that predict response to SOL-116.
– Our experience with large omics datasets across multiple diseases positions us well to develop biomarkers into a companion diagnostic – a test that personalises treatment decisions. Lipum’s commitment to innovation and precision medicine makes them an ideal partner for us.
What specific tasks will you focus on during the project with Lipum?
– Our main role is to contribute with data and analyse proteomic and epigenetic data to identify biomarkers that predict treatment response to SOL-116. We will also validate these biomarkers in independent datasets, and support the development of a cost-efficient and scalable laboratory test for clinical use. While we will lead the bioinformatics tasks, Lipum’s deep expertise in the biology involved will be essential in guiding the biomarker discovery.
Could you discuss the project’s potential to advance individualised rheumatoid arthritis treatment?
– Today, RA treatment often follows a trial-and-error approach, requiring patients to try several medications before finding one that works. This delays effective treatment, increases healthcare costs, and exposes patients to unnecessary side effects. By developing a diagnostic test that predicts treatment response in advance, we aim to bring precision medicine to RA, ensuring that patients receive the right drug from the start.
– This project has the potential to improve patient outcomes, shorten time to effective treatment, and create a model for individualised care in autoimmune diseases. We see tremendous potential in Lipum’s novel approach to RA treatment, and we are proud to contribute to bringing this promising treatment closer to patients.
CEO Ola Sandborgh discusses the project’s objectives
BioStock also reached out to Lipum’s CEO Ola Sandborgh to learn more about the motivation behind the project and what it could potentially lead to.
What was the main driving force behind initiating this project?
– We want to develop the best and most complete product possible. Our primary focus is the therapeutic antibody SOL-116, but there are also other needs to address. A common question that arises during the commercialisation of a drug is: ”Which patients can we treat, and what is the likelihood they will achieve satisfactory outcomes?”
– Based on this, numerous Companion Diagnostic Tests (CDTs) have been developed. Today, around 200 CDTs have been approved by the U.S. FDA. Each is intended for use alongside a specific drug and indication. If we can provide a CDT specifically developed for SOL-116, our chances for successful registration and commercialisation will increase significantly. From a payer’s perspective, a CDT is highly valuable as it supports the selection of a treatment where the cost is more likely to be offset by a successful outcome.
What specific milestones and timelines have you established for the project?
– The project is divided into six different work packages (WPs) and spans 36 months. Each WP has its own milestones, primarily tied to the results generated that contribute to the overall project goals. These milestones are scheduled to occur continuously from month 10 to month 36. The most significant milestone is the validation of the new biomarker that will help us predict patient response to SOL-116 treatment. That milestone is included in WP6 and will occur at the end of the project. As always, good things come to those who wait…
What role does Eurostars play in ensuring the project’s success?
– The funding we have received, covering up to 50 per cent of the project’s costs, plays a very important role. Equally important, however, are the rigorous quality assessments conducted prior to the grant approval and the ongoing reporting requirements to Eurostars. Together, these elements are vital in ensuring the project’s quality and progress.
How is Lipum’s research on BSSL integrated into the project?’
– We have several ongoing preclinical projects concerning BSSL and its role in different types of chronic inflammation. The knowledge we gain directly relates to the project we are conducting with Age Labs. The phase II study we are planning is also highly relevant, as the patients treated with SOL-116 will serve as an important data source for one of the subprojects.
Finally, how can the knowledge and technology developed within the project facilitate the clinical development and commercialisation of SOL-116?
– I have already addressed the advantages for commercialisation, but in terms of clinical development, it also enables us to select patients for upcoming studies who may contribute valuable insights and results that support regulatory submissions as well as reimbursement and pricing applications. Additionally, the technology will play a prominent role in the introduction and communication materials we use to support commercialisation.
