Meet Bengt von Mentzer, founder and Chief scientific advisor
Bengt von Mentzer founded PharmNovo 16 years ago, and today, his visionary approach and scientific process still drive the development of the groundbreaking compound PN6047. At the intersection of innovation and scientific leadership, Bengt von Mentzer is paving the way for how to reshape the landscape of chronic pain treatment.
PharmNovo was founded in 2008 by Bengt von Mentzer, who has over 30 years of experience in drug development and pain research at AstraZeneca.
The establishment of PharmNovo reflects a deliberate and natural progression in his career.
"It was a natural development. I had just finished writing a book on Molecular Pharmacology, subtitled “From Academic Research to Clinical Science”, and I was overseeing AstraZeneca’s academic contacts within the pain area. Founding PharmNovo was a personal decision fueled by encouragement from my academic colleagues”, says Bengt von Mentzer.
PharmNovo is working on a new type of treatment for neuropathic pain, a challenging condition that often becomes chronic. Their drug candidate, PN6047, originates from research conducted by Bengt von Mentzer and former colleagues at AstraZeneca.
As Chief Scientific Advisor of PharmNovo, Bengt von Mentzer is leading efforts to take the drug candidate from early research to market—a process he's familiar with from past experiences.
"One of my key strengths is the ability to stimulate innovative ideas in the drug discovery phase and actively contribute to bringing new medicines from inception to market."
The drug candidate PN6047 has demonstrated highly promising efficacy data in preclinical disease models. Bengt von Mentzer strongly believes that the treatment has the potential to help many patients suffering from neuropathic pain.
“And for a pioneering small biotech company, the innovative approach of creating a biased delta opioid agonist marks a paradigm shift. “
An agonist is a drug that binds to and activates a specific receptor. PN6047 is a potent, carefully developed agonist, a small molecule that selectively activates the delta (δ) opioid receptor (DOR). It does not, like conventional opioids, affect the mu (μ) opioid receptor, which is known to provide adequate relief for acute pain but also causes addiction and severe side effects.
“This compound is not just groundbreaking; it's being hailed as a potential blockbuster, representing a first-in-class molecule. In the challenging landscape of chronic pain treatment, our compound stands out by demonstrating no signs of drug abuse, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal complications, says Bengt von Mentzer.
The journey has been swift through Phase I clinical studies, surpassing the pace of many pharmaceutical counterparts. Bengt von Mentzer looks forward to the forthcoming Phase II studies. He strongly believes PharmNovo is poised for success.
"We have a novel medical compound, with first-in-class potential, that is effective on the disease we want to treat and is safe. Now it is time to show it is effective in patients affected by neuropathic pain”.
Meet Bengt von Mentzer, founder and Chief scientific advisor
Bengt von Mentzer founded PharmNovo 16 years ago, and today, his visionary approach and scientific process still drive the development of the groundbreaking compound PN6047. At the intersection of innovation and scientific leadership, Bengt von Mentzer is paving the way for how to reshape the landscape of chronic pain treatment.
PharmNovo was founded in 2008 by Bengt von Mentzer, who has over 30 years of experience in drug development and pain research at AstraZeneca.
The establishment of PharmNovo reflects a deliberate and natural progression in his career.
"It was a natural development. I had just finished writing a book on Molecular Pharmacology, subtitled “From Academic Research to Clinical Science”, and I was overseeing AstraZeneca’s academic contacts within the pain area. Founding PharmNovo was a personal decision fueled by encouragement from my academic colleagues”, says Bengt von Mentzer.
PharmNovo is working on a new type of treatment for neuropathic pain, a challenging condition that often becomes chronic. Their drug candidate, PN6047, originates from research conducted by Bengt von Mentzer and former colleagues at AstraZeneca.
As Chief Scientific Advisor of PharmNovo, Bengt von Mentzer is leading efforts to take the drug candidate from early research to market—a process he's familiar with from past experiences.
"One of my key strengths is the ability to stimulate innovative ideas in the drug discovery phase and actively contribute to bringing new medicines from inception to market."
The drug candidate PN6047 has demonstrated highly promising efficacy data in preclinical disease models. Bengt von Mentzer strongly believes that the treatment has the potential to help many patients suffering from neuropathic pain.
“And for a pioneering small biotech company, the innovative approach of creating a biased delta opioid agonist marks a paradigm shift. “
An agonist is a drug that binds to and activates a specific receptor. PN6047 is a potent, carefully developed agonist, a small molecule that selectively activates the delta (δ) opioid receptor (DOR). It does not, like conventional opioids, affect the mu (μ) opioid receptor, which is known to provide adequate relief for acute pain but also causes addiction and severe side effects.
“This compound is not just groundbreaking; it's being hailed as a potential blockbuster, representing a first-in-class molecule. In the challenging landscape of chronic pain treatment, our compound stands out by demonstrating no signs of drug abuse, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal complications, says Bengt von Mentzer.
The journey has been swift through Phase I clinical studies, surpassing the pace of many pharmaceutical counterparts. Bengt von Mentzer looks forward to the forthcoming Phase II studies. He strongly believes PharmNovo is poised for success.
"We have a novel medical compound, with first-in-class potential, that is effective on the disease we want to treat and is safe. Now it is time to show it is effective in patients affected by neuropathic pain”.
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Breaking new ground in pain management
Breaking new ground in pain management In the latest episode of BioBizBuzz, PharmNovo CEO Per von Mentzer sits down with host Mike Ward to discuss how we’re tackling one of modern medicine’s most urgent challenges: finding effective, non-addictive treatments for chronic and neuropathic pain. The conversation highlights the development of our lead candidate PN6047, a selective delta-opioid receptor agonist designed to deliver strong pain relief without the addiction risks or sedation associated with traditional opioids. Per shares insights into the scientific rationale, clinical potential, and why neuropathic pain—often caused by nerve damage from conditions like diabetes or chemotherapy—demands new thinking. For anyone interested in neuroscience, biotech innovation, or the future of pain management, this episode offers a glimpse into what could become a paradigm shift in treatment. Listen to the full episode here:
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CTA submission for PN6047
PharmNovo AB is pleased to announce that the clinical trial application (CTA) for a Phase IIa proof of concept (PoC) study investigating the safety and efficacy of lead candidate PN6047 in patients with neuropathic pain has been submitted in Spain. The full title of the application is: “Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Cross-Over Trial of the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of PN6047 HCl in Peripheral Neuropathic Pain Characterized by Mechanical Allodynia.” Based on a strategic company decision, PharmNovo has submitted the CTA, in the first instance, to the Spanish Health Authorities only. Submission to the Czech Republic and Poland, the two other countries in which the trial will be conducted, is planned to take place following approval in Spain, which is expected by October 2025. Subject to additional investment, patient enrolment is expected to start by Quarter 1 2026.
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PharmNovo at the LSX World Congress in London
Take the opportunity to listen to Per von Mentzer, CEO, presenting PN6047 at the LSX World Congress in April 2025 in London. PharmNovo is redefining pain management with PN6047, a first-in-class Delta Opioid Receptor Agonist (DORA), safer, non-addictive solution for neuropathic pain. Unlike traditional opioids, PN6047 eliminates concerns of side effects, abuse potential, and tolerance. With a proven safety profile from Phase I trials and a market projected to exceed EUR 13 billion by 2033, PN6047 is set to be a game-changer.
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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.
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