Aplagon secures EUR 7 million for APAC phase 2a trials

Funding led by new investors FSG and EIC Fund

Helsinki-based Aplagon has raised EUR 7 million to advance its APAC therapeutic for thrombo-inflammatory diseases into phase 2a clinical trials.

Aki Prihti, CEO of Aplagon, said: “We’re delighted to secure this fund-raising, and to bring on board FSG and EIC Fund as highly experienced VC investors from outside Finland”.

The funding round was led by Fåhraeus Startup and Growth AB (FSG) and European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund.

APAC is a heparin proteoglycan mimetic with antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects. It mimics naturally occurring mast cell-derived heparin proteoglycans, targeting arterial injury sites and providing long-lasting antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory action.

The funding will support the initiation of phase 2a clinical trial of APAC for peripheral arterial occlusive disease/chronic limb threatening ischemia (PAOD/CLTI) in Finland.

APAC is also set to complete three ongoing clinical trials in 2025: a phase I trial for arteriovenous fistula maturation failure, a phase I intravenous trial in healthy participants, and a PET-imaging trial with 89zirconium-labeled APAC in PAOD patients and healthy participants.

Over 40 participants have so far received APAC without any safety concerns, and initial clinical findings are encouraging. APAC is intended for in-hospital use and can be administered either locally or by IV infusion.

Johanna Asklin, General Partner at FSG, stated: “Thrombo-inflammation is a key underlying driver for many cardiovascular diseases. At FSG we look for revolutionary innovations, and we found precisely that with Aplagon’s APAC approach to treat this clear unmet medical need”.

Johanna Asklin will join Aplagon as a board member and Alexander Jöndell, Partner at FSG, as an observer.