Adenovir Pharma

Adenovir Pharma AB was a Swedish pharmaceutical development company focused on creating treatments for viral eye infections. Founded in 2008, the company was a collaborative effort between researchers from the virology department at Umeå University, chemists from Lund University, and the life science incubator P.U.L.S. AB (now known as AQILION AB). P.U.L.S. acted as a primary incubator and financier, remaining the largest owner throughout the company's existence.

The company's core business was the development of a topical antiviral drug, APD-209, to treat and prevent epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), a highly contagious and common eye disease caused by an adenovirus. At the time, there was no effective antiviral therapy available for EKC, with existing treatments only providing symptomatic relief. Adenovir Pharma's business model was centered on advancing this proprietary technology through clinical trials to demonstrate its potential and attract industrial partners or buyers for final development and market entry. The company successfully raised approximately $3.86 million over three seed funding rounds from investors including Aqilion and Sparbanksstiftelsen Skåne.

Adenovir Pharma's primary product candidate was an eye drop formulation of APD-209. The technology was based on patented research into adenovirus receptor molecules. The company secured patents for its technology platform and novel compound in key markets, including the EU, USA, China, and Japan. Development progressed through a Phase I clinical study, which showed the drug to be safe and well-tolerated. Subsequently, a double-blind, randomized Phase II study was initiated across eye clinics in Sweden and Germany. However, the Phase II trial did not yield conclusive results due to an insufficient number of patients to achieve statistical significance. This outcome made it difficult to secure a buyer or further investment to proceed with new clinical trials, ultimately leading to the company's voluntary liquidation, which commenced on November 1, 2019.

Keywords: pharmaceutical development, antiviral medication, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, EKC, eye infections, drug development, adenovirus, clinical trials, life science incubator, AQILION, P.U.L.S. AB, APD-209, topical drug, virology, ophthalmology, drug discovery, venture capital, seed funding, pharmaceutical technology, liquidation