Search for chronic pain treatment initiated 2008

Focusing on chronic pain

PharmNovo was founded in 2008 by the international medical researcher Bengt von Mentzer after 27 years as a drug discovery group leader for Astra Zeneca.

Finding a safe and effective way to help patients suffering from neuropathic pain, a population facing increasingly challenging conditions, has been the Holy Grail from the start for Bengt von Mentzer. With a focus on chronic pain treatment, PharmNovo started to develop novel delta opioid receptor agonists.

In collaboration with his colleague, medicinal chemist Ingemar Starke, Bengt von Mentzer identified novel potent, selective, and biased DOR agonists, an entirely new concept in pharmacology at the time.
In 2010, David Kendall, Professor of Pharmacology at Nottingham University, UK, joined the company and was appointed Chief Scientific Officer in 2015.

Under the leadership of David Kendall , PharmNovo has built long-standing collaborations with scientists at the University of Bristol (UK), the University of Pecz (HU), University of Michigan, Washington University and several other leading research centres, as well as an international network of leading pain experts and advisors.

The collaboration with Professor Eamon Kelly’s research group at the University of Bristol has been supported by grants from the UK Medical Research Council and that with the US colleagues by a grant from the National Institute of Drug Abuse

Pre-clinical studies were completed in 2020 for the candidate compound PN6047 with very promising results. PN6047 proved to be very potent in relieving neuropathic pain and, at the same time, essentially free of side effects.

In 2020 PharmNovo was granted a patent in the USA. Today, PharmNovo holds the intellectual property rights for PN6047 in all major markets, Europe, USA, Japan, China, and Australia.

In 2022, PharmNovo received approval from the Medical Products Agency and the Swedish Ethical Review Authority to start clinical studies of PN6047. The first-in-human clinical phase I study began in August of the same year and has shown very promising results so far.

Phase II studies are planned to start in Q2 2024. If all continues according to plan, PharmNovo may well be able to present the market with an approved pharmaceutical treatment in six to seven years,

PharmNovo’s team has grown during the past years and today consists of very experienced researchers in academia and industry, and the company has an extensive international network of leading expert advisors.

2008

Collaboration with AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca granted PharmNovo AB a project application of novel delta agonists, including 105 molecules, data, and compounds. The compounds and patent application were abandoned in 2012 following the invention of our own molecules.

2009

Funded by region Västra Götaland

VGR (Region Västra Götaland) funded PharmNovo with 0.4 million SEK.

2011

Another fund from VGR

VGR fund PharmNovo with 0.45 million SEK.

2012

Agonists selected

Two candidate selective and biased delta agonists were chosen for further development, PN6047 and PN6053.

2014/2015

Funding by Angel Investor

Angel Investor funded PharmNovo with £200.000 + £100.000 on two occasions, in 2014 and 2015.

2014/2015

Patent applications submitted

Patent applications for PN6047, PN6053 and others were submitted to the Swedish Patent Office.

2015/2016

International patent applications

Patent applications for PN6047 and PN6053 were withdrawn from Swedish Patent Office and instead resubmitted as PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) applications and further 2016 as a European patent application and in 2017 as a worldwide patent application.

2016

MRC grant approved

Medical Research Council grant for three years approved with Eamonn Kelly, University of Bristol,

2017

European Patent demand approved

European patent demand defended approved.

2018

Capital investment and US patent received

PharmNovo was funded by new capital investments to finance patent costs and finalize pre-clinical studies. The US patent was granted for PN6047, and the European patent was in the final approval process.

2019

Complete toxicology plan, EU patent

A synthesis method for large-scale production of PN6047 was developed. Pre-toxicology studies leading up to a complete regulatory toxicology plan were continued. The European Patent Office granted a patent in Europe.

2020

New CEO, pre-clinical studies initiated, new funding

Per von Mentzer was appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of PharmNovo. PharmNovo completed a new share issue of 22 million SEK.

2021

Promising results in pre-clinical studies

The last significant patents were granted in China and Canada for PN6047, and the results from the pre-clinical studies showed that PN6047 has high efficacy and low toxicity.

2022

Start of clinical trials, new funding

The Clinical Trial Application (CTA) was submitted to the MPA and was approved. Phase I studies were initiated, and first-dose-in-human was given in August at CTC Clinical Trial Consultants AB. PharmNovo completed a new share issue of 67 million SEK. Funding $2.5million for collaboration with Profs Amyna Pradhan and Emily Jutkiewicz for studies of delta opioid agonists in animal models of the opioid withdrawal syndrome.

2023

Phase I studies completed, planning for phase II studies

Phase I studies completed with good results, planning for Phase II studies.

Latest news

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March 12, 2025

Positive FDA feedback for PN6047

PharmNovo has received positive and constructive feedback from the FDA for its lead drug candidate, PN6047, a selective delta opioid receptor agonist aimed at treating peripheral neuropathy with allodynia. Following a successful pre-IND meeting in January 2025, the FDA provided valuable guidance on the Phase IIa study design and had no critical comments on the CMC or non-clinical data. This paves the way for IND submission by the end of 2025 and a Phase IIa clinical trial application in Europe (Spain, Poland, Czech Republic) by Q3 2025.

Pioneering approach to treat neuropathic pain

February 26, 2025

Pioneering approach to treat neuropathic pain

PharmNovo has recently published an article in MedNous, highlighting the pioneering approach to tackling neuropathic pain without the risks traditionally associated with opioids. The lead candidate, PN6047, targets the delta-opioid receptor – offering pain relief without addiction or sedation. Arrangements for a Phase II trial have now been completed, marking a crucial step toward a safer alternative for millions suffering from chronic pain. With the opioid crisis still a major concern, innovative, non-addictive treatments like PN6047 are more urgent than ever.

PharmNovo live at neurology theme event at RedEye

October 25, 2024

PharmNovo live at neurology theme event at RedEye

Per von Mentzer, CEO, presented PN6047 at the Neurology Event at RedEye on October 23. Take the opportunity to listen to a very interesting live presentation and learn more about PN6047, the unique first-in-class phase II ready asset with break-through potential in treatment of neuropathic pain. PN6047 demonstrates safety and tolerability and a lack of the adverse effects commonly associated with conventional opioids. These findings suggest a promising path forward in the field of pain management.

October 10, 2024

PharmNovo at the LSX Nordic Congress

PharmNovo attended the LSX Nordic Congress in Copenhagen 8-9 October and Per von Mentzer, CEO presented PN6047, a unique first-in-class phase II ready asset with break-through potential in treatment of neuropathic pain. Being one of 68 companies that have recently been awarded by EIC for up to 17.5 MEUR (2.5 MEUR grant and up to 15 MEUR equity) from a total of 969 applicants is a strong validation of the potential of the phase II ready asset PN6047 and of PharmNovo. Take the opportunity to listen to the presentation here:

Search initiated 2008