Nordic Life Science 1
TOP STORIES BUSINESS ACQU I SITIONS // AGREEMENTS
// COLLABORATIONS Peter Selin, CEO, Kancera “The combined company has the potential to become a leading specialty care company in the field of cardiovascular diseases.” B I G PHARMA Orion to open Biologics R&D Centre in Cambridge The new center will focus on the development of new biological and large-molecule therapies, and it will encompass biologics CMC capabilities and project leadership to support Orion's biologics research projects, which are moving towards clinical phase. MERGER KANCERA SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT WITH RECARDIO The company has signed an agreement with the private US biotech company Recardio to combine both companies’ assets and form a late-clinical-stage, multi-product specialty care company focused on cardiovascular diseases. THE TWO COMPANIES have agreed to evaluate the combination of both companies’ assets and resources through a transaction in which Recardio would in-license KAND567 and KAND145. As a result of the licensing transaction, Recardio’s pipeline would include two late-stage clinical programs for disease-modifying intervention in post myocardial infarction. “We are forming a multi-product company that combines two of the most innovative late-stage clinical programs in post acute myocardial infarction. With a compelling pipeline and equity story, the combined company has the potential to become a leading specialty care company in the field of cardiovascular diseases that would be an attractive investment for US and European investors," says Peter Selin, CEO, Kancera, to NLS. Kancera also has announced its intention to change the company name to Novakand 12 | NORDICLIFESCIENCE.ORG Pharma, in line with the company’s strategic decision to focus on cardiovascular diseases. The formal resolution to change the company name will be passed at the Annual General Meeting on May 26, 2025. “The current company name, Kancera, goes back to when the company was established and had a strong focus on cancer,”comments Peter Selin. NLS also asked Selin if he sees any challenges (or advantages) with the collaboration due to the new US administration and its new (and potential) tariffs, etc. "So far we have not seen any critical obstacles, even though we will continue to carefully follow the development. Independent of the announced changes from the new administration, US will remain as the most important market for pharmaceutical products as well as being the most attractive and important region with regards to specialist investors," says Selin. NLS "BIOLOGICS ARE THE fastest growing segment in pharma, presenting huge opportunities for new innovative treatments. Cambridge is home to Europe’s largest biomedical research hub. Establishing our own Biologics R&D Centre in the area gives us access to a pool of world-class scientific talent and opportunities for collaboration with high-profile universities,” says Outi Vaarala, EVP Innovative Medicines and R&D, Orion. Orion’s R&D organization currently consists of approximately 400 employees, with major sites located in Espoo and Turku in Finland and smaller clinical development hubs in Nottingham, UK and New York City, USA. NLS Outi Vaarala, EVP, Innovative Medicines and R&D, Orion Pharma PHOTO MARTIN BOTVIDSSON PHOTO SAMI TUORINIEMI