MipSalus
MipSalus is a biotech company with leading-edge expertise in transforming Molecular Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) into a new class of medicines. MipSalus currently focuses on developing a breakthrough treatment for the rare and potentially invalidating disease Phenylketonuria (PKU) using phenylalanine-binding MIPs to prevent uptake of surplus dietary phenylalanine (Phe) in the body.
The name MipSalus is a combination of the abbreviation MIP – Molecular Imprinted Polymers – and Salus, the ancient Roman goddess of health and prosperity.
Furthermore, building on the PKU drug development project and using company’s Phe-binding MIPs, MipSalus has obtained in-vitro proof of concept for a home sensor that will enable PKU patients to monitor their disease and swiftly adjust food and medication accordingly.
MipSalus’ facilities and laboratories are located at DTU Science Park in Hørsholm, north of Copenhagen. To ensure optimal efficiency and flexibility, MipSalus is run by a lean core organization cooperating closely with research institutes, medical professionals, private subcontractors, and others.
The company is owned by the founders and a group of private investors. In addition to funding from the owner group and co-funding from partners to joint projects, MipSalus has received grants from the Innovation Fund Denmark and the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark’s Eco-Innovation Program. These grants have allowed MipSalus to accelerate the development of its drug candidate, home sensor and viable production methods.
Building on its proprietary technology platform, MipSalus’ strategy is to identify and mature drug candidates and secure proof-of-concept before entering into partnerships for clinical development and commercialization.
The disease
Phenylketonuria, commonly referred to as PKU, is a rare metabolic disorder. People with PKU cannot metabolize phenylalanine (Phe), an amino acid found in all kinds of dietary protein. If PKU is not treated, Phe builds up in the blood and tissues to levels causing irreversible brain damage.
New proprietary drug
MipSalus is developing a new proprietary drug – the first in a new class of medicines – for the treatment of all variants of Hyperphenylalaninemia (known as HPA) – i.e. increased level of phenylalanine (Phe) in the blood – and the most common variant is Phenylketonuria, or simply PKU.
MipSalus has demonstrated that the company’s Phe binding MIPs, Phelimin, very efficiently reduces the uptake of surplus Phe from dietary proteins in mice suffering from PKU. The effect of Phelimin is dose dependent, and patients can thus tailor-make their treatment to fit individual meal patterns and consume meals comprising normal food.