Serca Pharmaceuticals presents first-in-class strategy for game-changing, post heart-attack cardioprotection at European Society of Cardiology Congress 2023

Evidence that 13-M, a unique small molecule disruptor of adrenergic SERCA2 activity reduces infarct size and preserves cardiac function

Oslo, Norway – 29 August 2023 - Serca Pharmaceuticals, a Cardioprotection company that is developing 13-M, a novel first in class treatment for minimising tissue damage that occurs with blood reperfusion post myocardial infarction (MI) and stenting, today presented exciting preclinical data showcasing its novel therapeutic strategy targeting the SERCA2 complex to protect heart tissue from ischemia-reperfusion injury at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2023, the world’s largest cardiology congress, in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 25-28 August 2023.

The findings presented suggest that specifically blocking the adrenergic regulation of SERCA2-activity is beneficial and provides evidence that small molecular protein to protein interaction (PPI) disruptors with this mechanism, such as Serca’s lead product 13-M, reduce infarct size and preserve cardiac function.

13-M, is a small, first in class NCE shown to have important protein to protein interaction (PPI) characteristics with the capacity to modulate the SERCA2 Ca2+ pump and is the first small molecule to target the AKAP18d-PLB interaction. The compound could be transformative in treating cardiology patients who are impacted by MI and stenting and is currently in preclinical drug development.

MI is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, affecting approximately seven million people each year. Without treatment, 30% of MI patients will go on to develop heart failure. Infarct size is the biggest predictor of post-MI heart failure. Supported by over a decade of research in signalling pathways and SERCA2, 13-M has shown a 30% reduction in infarct size in preclinical models; in the clinic >10% infarct reduction is considered meaningful.

Kjetil Hestdal, Chief Executive Officer said: “This marks yet another important step forward in development of much-needed novel treatments for acute myocardial infarction and associated heart failure. Our findings presented at the ESC Congress show that by targeting  regulation of the SERCA2 complex, we can potentially protect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. We are aiming to develop 13-M as a breakthrough treatment for patients impacted by MI and stenting, that we anticipate will fulfil the significant unmet need of preserving heart tissue and function.”

The Company is on track for IND filing in 2024 to begin Phase 1 studies later that year.

Details of the poster which was presented on the 28th August, are as follows:

Abstract: New therapeutic strategy targeting regulation of the SERCA2 complex protects from myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Authors: Ana I. Calejo1,2, Ellen Østensen 1, Magnus Aronsen34, Brigitte Lygren1, Jonas Skogestad3,4, Jo Klaveness5, Ivar Sjaastad3, and Kjetil Taskén1,6

1 University of Oslo, Centre Molecular Medicine Norway, EMBL Partnership, Oslo, Norway

2 Serca Pharmaceuticals AS

3 Oslo University Hospital Ulleval, Inst. For Experimental Medical Research

4 Inst. Of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

5 Institute of Pharmacy, Oslo, Norway

6 Inst. Cancer Research, University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

For further details on the poster, please contact Tove Flem Jacobsen, or visit the Serca Pharmaceuticals website - https://sercapharmaceuticals.com/.

Company representatives will also be attending the LSX Nordic Congress being held on the 10-11 October and look forward to meeting investors and potential partners.