On May 3, 2017 Saniona, a leading biotech company in the field of ion channels, reported that it has partici-pated in formation of Scandion Oncology A/S, a company focused on developing drugs for treatment of cancer. (Press release, Saniona, MAY 3, 2017, View Source [SID1234573560]). Saniona AB owns 51% of Scandion Oncology, which has subsequently acquired a clinical candidate and related platform from Saniona A/S. Scandion Oncology management and Saniona is currently considering various alternatives for financing the company including a private placement and a public listing, which may potentially include the distribution of Saniona’s shares in Scandion Oncology to Saniona’s shareholders in accordance to Lex ASEA under the Swedish income tax act.
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"The founders of Scandion Oncology have discovered that one of Saniona’s development compounds (termed SCO101) is able to reduce cancer growth by increasing the effects of standard chemotherapy through a new mode of action. The founders of Scandion Oncology and Saniona have filed a patent application covering this invention. By combining the invention with the knowledge of the Scandion Oncology Founders and the technology from Saniona, we can create a new interesting company to the benefit of cancer patients and Saniona’s shareholders," says Jørgen Drejer, CEO of Saniona.
"Scandion Oncology will be able to initiate Phase 2 clinical trials within a relatively short time frame and thereby provide proof of concept for the technology, which addresses one of the most important problems in modern oncology. With approximately 14 million new cancer cases worldwide annually, the business potential for an effective new drug, which improve the efficacy of standard chemotherapy is expected to reach that of a blockbuster," says Kim Arvid Nielsen, CEO of Scandion Oncology.
The program, which Scandion Oncology acquires from Saniona, comprises a development compound, SCO101, which has been evaluated in Phase 1 studies and a platform comprising a large series of chemical analogues as well as associated know-how. Saniona acquired these assets from NeuroSearch in 2012. Saniona was not planning to develop these assets internally since a clinical program in a different therapeutic indication was not successful. In 2015, Saniona granted scientists at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, rights to test some of the compounds in their screening systems leading to the discovery that compounds with this mechanism of action enhance the effect of standard chemotherapy. The parties filed a patent and have subsequently been awarded a grant from Innovation Fund Denmark. Apart from mentioning the grant in a press release on July 5, 2016, Saniona has not discussed these assets publicly previously.
For clarity, the founders, management and the other shareholders of Scandion Oncology are independent of Saniona’s board, management and major shareholders of Saniona.