Our Mission is to develop novel therapies for cancer with a particular focus on hard-to-treat, recurrent and metastatic cancers.
Company Incorporation
VAR2 Pharmaceuticals spuns out from the University of Copenhagen propelled by an unexpected finding linking cancer to malaria.
Identification of Target Molecule
Oncofetal Chondroitin Sulfate (CS) is identified as a secondary, post-translational sugar (glycosaminoglycan) modification to proteins expressed in the placenta. We subsequently identify that oncofetal CS re-appears in cancer.
Identification of a first lead therapy candidate
We identify VAR2CSA as the protein allowing the malaria parasite to bind oncofetal CS in the human placenta. We focus our efforts in converting this protein into a lead candidate for cancer therapy.
Diagnostics' Subsidiary
VARCT Diagnostics is established as a subsidiary of VAR2 Pharma to pursue diagnostic applications based on the detection of oncofetal CS.
Pre-clinical validation of first lead candidate
We compile a strong pre-clinical data package demonstrating that VAR2CSA could be conjugated to a toxin and used to treat cancer in several mouse models
Identification of Vartumabs
We identify and characterize first-in-class antibodies binding oncofetal CS with high affinity and high specificity specificity, a tremendous breakthrough considering the nature of our target.
We prioritized these candidates over the former VAR2CSA given their superior scalability in both economic and technical aspects.
Pre-clinical data package on Vartumabs
We establish the safety and efficacy of using Vartumabs in different therapy formats with a focus on antibody-drug conjugates and CD3-bispecifics.
First Clinical Study
We initiated our first clinical study - a Phase 0 PET/CT imaging study - in November 2024. This study will provide biodistribution, PK/PD data on our lead assets.