We develop the future GERD treatment which has roots in AstraZeneca
Highlights from the 2024 Annual Report: Interview with the founders.
Cinclus Pharma, founded by a team of experts with deep roots in the pharmaceutical industry, is on a mission to bring an effective GERD treatment, linaprazan glurate, to the market. Building on groundbreaking work done at AstraZeneca.
The story of Cinclus Pharma began with a molecule called linaprazan glurate, a prodrug of AstraZeneca’s molecule linaprazan, a PCAB with the aim of taking over after Nexium. Linaprazan gave good clinical results, but the acid-blocking effect was too short-lived and the project was closed. AstraZeneca then developed a prodrug of linaprazan, linaprazan glurate, which gave a longer effect.
AstraZeneca’s strategic decision to close down the entire gastrointestinal business was however firm and Cinclus’ founders were able to unconditionally negotiate out linaprazan glurate. However, Kjell Andersson, former preclinical project manager, and Mikael Dahlström, the chemist behind linaprazan, saw the potential in the drug.
Mikael contacted Kjell before his retirement with a desire to ensure that research into acid secretion would not be lost. Together they secured the rights to linaprazan and linaprazan glurate and contacted Peter Unge, a prominent gastroenterologist, to further develop the substance.
Lennart Hansson was brought in and the idea of creating a company emerged. Cinclus Pharma was founded in 2014. Preclinical studies of linaprazan glurate started in the same year, with Phase I studies ending in 2018 with excellent results.
Lennart Hansson, Chairman of the Board, reflects on the journey:
“The potential we see in linaprazan glurate today is enormous. Without our team’s commitment and belief in the project, this innovation may never have seen the light of day. We are very enthusiastic about being on the path to improving the treatment of GERD for millions of patients worldwide."
Peter Unge, who has extensive experience working with patients diagnosed with GERD, sees a great future for the drug:
“GERD affects the quality of life for many people. Symptoms such as poor sleep and discomfort are common, and there is a great need for more effective treatments. We are confident that linaprazan glurate can mean higher efficacy rates and better quality of life for patients.”
Cinclus Pharma’s progress reinforces the founders’ belief that linaprazan glurate will revolutionize the treatment of GERD. From the early days at AstraZeneca to today’s successes, the team’s commitment and belief in the project have been crucial.
“There is a long way to go, but we have come a long way,” concludes Kjell Andersson.