Herantis Pharma - Taking a closer look at the new R&D strategy

Review of new intranasal delivery and clinical programme Growing industry interest in neurology & proteostasis Preview for AdeLE readout in Q1’21 Simplifying delivery of CDNF in new R&D programme We take a closer look at the rationale behind Herantis’ pivot away from intracerebral delivery of CDNF and toward intra-nasal and subcutaneous delivery, and map out the projected near-term development timelines for CDNF, Lymfactin and xCDNF. Although it means taking a step back in the short-term, it may pay off in the longer term, with CDNF now looking like a more patient-friendly and partnerable asset if it proves efficacious. The right time and place A review of the biotech funding landscape shows an increasing interest in neurology with neurodegenerative diseases leading the pack. This is a clear break from the historic cautiousness towards neurology, with the shift driven by the discovery of several causative and disease-associated genes in e.g.

Parkinson’s disease, allowing more targeted treatments, and developments in enabling technologies, particularly around delivery across the CNS with nanoformulations. Herantis’ strategy of pharmacologically enhancing the ability of neurons to deal with misfolded and abnormal proteins (proteostasis) is being pursued by several other well-regarded players that are beginning to enter into the clinic, putting Herantis in good company. Lymfactin topline results expected in Q1’21 Topline results from the Ph II AdeLE study of Lymfactin in breast cancer-associated lymphedema (BCAL) are expected in Q1’21.

Given the small study size, showing statistical significance may prove difficult in this trial but we preview what trends to look out for when the results come..