Cephagenix

Cephagenix operates within the biopharmaceutical sector, specifically focusing on the discovery and development of novel treatments for migraines. The company was established in February 2020 as a joint venture between the biopharmaceutical company Saniona and Professor Jes Olesen of the University of Copenhagen, a globally recognized expert in migraine research. Professor Olesen's journey includes decades of pioneering clinical research into the mechanisms of migraines, which has led to the identification of validated targets like CGRP and demonstrated that vascular ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) are critical for inducing migraines. This deep background in headache research, combined with Saniona's expertise in ion channel-based drug discovery, formed the foundation of Cephagenix.

The company's core business is centered on its lead program to develop first-in-class, subtype-selective KATP channel inhibitors. These inhibitors target the KATP channel subtype expressed in intracranial arteries, aiming to provide a more effective and targeted therapy for a broad population of migraine sufferers. The business model is typical for a preclinical drug discovery firm, focusing on research and development to advance its compounds through the pipeline. Revenue generation is anticipated through future partnerships, licensing agreements, or the eventual commercialization of its therapies. Cephagenix leverages Saniona's proprietary Ionbase technology platform, a compound library and database developed over many years of ion channel research, to identify and develop its selective inhibitors.

In a significant milestone, Cephagenix secured up to €9 million in a tranched seed financing round in January 2025. The round was led by venture capital firm AdBio Partners and AbbVie Ventures, the corporate venture arm of the pharmaceutical giant AbbVie. This funding is dedicated to accelerating the KATP channel inhibitor program towards the selection of a development candidate for clinical trials. The company operates from Saniona's facility in Glostrup, Denmark.

Keywords: migraine treatment, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical, KATP channel inhibitors, ion channel modulation, clinical research, neuroscience, headache therapies, vascular KATP channels, anti-migraine, pharmaceutical development, venture capital-backed, preclinical stage, Saniona, Jes Olesen, AbbVie Ventures, AdBio Partners, Danish Headache Center, CNS disorders, targeted therapy