Tag: Danish

Biotech firm with obesity ambitions: We aim for an agreement within a few years

The Danish-founded biotech company Pila Pharma looks to secure a partnership or acquisition within the next few years. The short-term goal is to advance the development of a promising new drug candidate for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Pila Pharma, listed on the Nasdaq First North stock exchange in Stockholm, has set a clear strategy for the future: Within a few years, the company aims to be acquired by or partner with an industry player capable of furthering and realizing its research in obesity and other metabolic diseases using TRPV1 inhibitors. The goal is to ensure that Pila Pharma’s potential new weight-loss pill reaches the market as quickly as possible.

– We have a promising drug candidate with a completely different side effect profile compared to other treatments currently in development or on the market. Our ambition is to progress the candidate over the next few years and then hand it over to a larger player who can take it to the next level. The global market is in dire need of effective obesity treatments, particularly scalable pill-based solutions, and we believe we could have a role to play in this development, says CEO Gustav H. Gram, adding:

– Since our founders’ discovery in 1999 and the company’s founding in 2014, we have made significant progress and gathered data that suggests we are on the right track. The next major step is to establish proof of concept for weight loss. We are the only company working with this specific type of molecule—TRPV1 inhibitors—as a novel therapeutic approach to treating obesity and other metabolic diseases. If we succeed, I firmly believe we will emerge as a strong and attractive candidate for partnership or acquisition.

A Scalable Pill Solution with a Different Side Effect Profile

Pila Pharma was founded by former Novo Nordisk researcher Dorte X. Gram, who was the first researcher to identify the molecule that later became semaglutide—the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.

During her tenure at Novo Nordisk, she also discovered— blocking the TRPV1 receptor— could be a potential new mechanism for treating metabolic diseases. With the rise of GLP-1 treatments, Pila Pharma is entering a highly competitive market where unique advantages will determine success.

– In our research and development efforts, we are focused on generating clinical data on the safety and efficacy of XEN-D0501 for treating obesity and related conditions such as diabetes. Patients, physicians, and the industry are all seeking effective weight-loss treatments without common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If we can achieve this with an oral solution that can be scaled to meet market demand, we envision a future where more patients have better access to sustainable weight management options, says Dorte X. Gram. She elaborates:

– Approximately one-third of patients worldwide who use GLP-1 medications for severe obesity—such as Wegovy—discontinue treatment prematurely due to side effects, cost, and availability issues. If we can offer a scalable pill alternative based on small molecules, it will significantly improve accessibility and help patients adhere to their treatment plans.

A Major Opportunity for Pill-Based Obesity Treatments

Professor Jens Juul Holst from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen was among the first to discover the GLP-1 hormone in 1986, which plays a key role in stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreas. Today, GLP-1 receptor agonists are used to treat type 2 diabetes and severe obesity.

He sees significant potential for pill-based obesity treatments in certain markets.

– In some parts of the world, injection-based treatments pose a challenge, making a pill a far more attractive option. This is particularly true in Asian and African markets, where needle phobia is widespread, creating an enormous market opportunity. This factor is highly relevant to pharmaceutical companies, many of which avoid investing in injectable drugs due to economic considerations, says Jens Juul Holst.

He also predicts that pricing will play a decisive role in the future:

– With several new drugs on the horizon, if they deliver on their promises, small-molecule pills are poised to become a major success. One key reason is that they can be sold at a significantly lower price point compared to biologic drugs, which require more complex manufacturing, says Jens Juul Holst.

The core asset of Pila Pharma is its TRPV1 inhibitor, XEN-D0501 – an orally administered tablet currently in Phase 2 clinical development. At the end of 2024, the company announced its engagement with regulatory authorities to define the optimal approach for its next clinical trial in obesity and diabetes.

Danish Car Subscription Service :Dribe Sees Growing Interest for Franchising in Europe

The car subscription service :Dribe offers car distributors franchising opportunities, which includes a digital end-to-end platform and concept designed to foster growth through flexible subscriptions. The platform integrates with the franchisees’ existing resources and operations, and the concept is attracting car distributors from all over Europe.

:Dribe has big plans for expansion throughout Europe. The Danish car subscription service offers car distributors in the UK, Benelux, France, and Germany a unique opportunity to seamlessly integrate subscriptions into their operations.

:Dribe has developed a scalable subscription concept and a plug-and-play model designed to strengthen the franchisee’s market position by meeting the need for a flexible mobility solution with short commitments and flexibility regarding car model, size, and energy source.

:Dribe, which is owned by Denmark’s largest automotive player Semler Group, is seeing a growing interest from car distributors across Europe, which pleases :Dribe CEO Jesper Hill-Kjærsgaard.

– We are incredibly happy with the numerous inquiries from car distributors in Europe. We find that many car distributors want to incorporate subscriptions into their product line but lack the necessary resources to independently develop a new business area. Our plug-and-play model is designed to simplify that process, says Jesper Hill-Kjærsgaard, adding:

– The high level of interest only confirms an international market need for flexible car access. This is also supported by research, such as a study from McKinsey & Company, which shows that one in three European car customers is open to trying a vehicle subscription in the future.

:Dribe’s concept is developed for franchisees to seamlessly integrate subscriptions into the company’s existing operations. Automated processes for everything from billing to car inspections reduce manual work.

Additionally, the concept includes advanced data collection and Business Intelligence tools for targeted customer communication, as well as comprehensive brand assets, an integrated website, and statistical modules for optimized operations.

 Successful Franchising in Greece

The renowned Greek car distributor Kosmocar, employing over 180 staff members, was :Dribe’s first international franchisee. Kosmocar’s implementation of the subscription model has since led to a steadily growing customer base and nearly 10,000 downloads of the app.

Additionally, Kosmocar has achieved massive media coverage following a launch event attended by 60 journalists, resulting in over 100 media mentions within a few days, according to CEO Yiannis Emirzas.

– We chose :Dribe’s plug-and-play solution to automate processes and simplify operations, and we are very pleased with the partnership. It has elevated our brand’s positioning in the market as technologically strong, innovative, and focused on the modern end user’s needs. We have swiftly attracted a new and broader customer base, which was a key focus for us, says Yiannis Emirzas, adding:

– Everything from damage registration to invoicing has become more efficient with the digital backend system. It reduces resource requirements and increases operational efficiency. The innovative approach has helped us adapt to the changing market and stand out in a dynamic industry.

Danish Car Subscription Service Expands in Europe with New Franchisee

Dribe, one of Denmark’s leading car subscription services, has entered a franchise agreement with Greek car distributor Kosmocar. The partnership marks the first milestone in :Dribe’s international expansion, driven by an ambition to fulfill a global demand for a strong, digitally driven concept for simple and flexible car access.

As a first in Europe, the Greek car distributor Kosmocar enters a franchise partnership with :Dribe, a Danish tech innovator within car subscription services for private consumers and businesses. Kosmocar is now unveiling :Dribe’s concept and digital platform, enabling simple and intuitive management of car subscriptions, while short 30-day binding periods provide subscribers with great flexibility and freedom.

The partnership is the first step in :Dribe’s international expansion, where the company plans to enter franchise agreements in the UK, the Benelux, France, German, and more. Their international roll-out will cater to the dynamic, urban lifestyle through simple and flexible car access. Yiannis Emirzas, CEO of Kosmocar, is optimistic about the new partnership.

– With this franchise agreement, we are taking a confident step towards meeting the evolving needs for simple, flexible, and sustainable mobility solutions. :Dribe offers us valuable knowhow in addition to a robust, highly advanced IT-platform and a plug-and-play model that is easy to implement, says Yiannis Emirzas. He adds:

– By adding a well-tested, customer-driven subscription model to our existing business, we’re expanding our mobility services, and we are putting the power of mobility back into the hands of people. We’re excited to embark on this journey and shape the way people move in Greece.

According to a 2024 report from McKinsey Digital, digitalization can significantly increase profitability in the Greek retail sector. The report further notes that Greece’s digitalization is lacking behind that of its European peers. It’s no coincidence that :Dribe looked to Greece as the first destination in :Dribe’s European expansion. Jesper Hill-Kjærsgaard, CEO of :Dribe, says:

– We see a substantial, unrecognized potential in Greece, where we have a competitive edge in having built a powerful digital platform that allows for efficient administration of an extensive fleet of vehicles. Our :Dribe-platform facilitates a subscription-based business model that requires minimal manual intervention and optimizes resource utility, says Jesper Hill-Kjærsgaard. He adds:

– We immediately saw a perfect match in Kosmocar. Like us, they are digital natives who adapt to new technologies and are passionate about meeting market demand for simple and flexible car access.

An Important Milestone

:Dribe is owned by Semler Group, one of the biggest players in the Danish automotive business. Ulrik Drejsig, CEO of Semler Group, agrees that the new franchise agreement is an important milestone.

– During our century-long history, our company has experienced first-hand the constant change that occurs in the auto business. We have invested in :Dribe’s car subscription-model to embrace a relational business method. Now, five years into our journey, we are taking the first important step into the European market, and we are proud to have Kosmocar by our side, says Ulrik Drejsig.

The new franchise agreement between :Dribe and Kosmocar is founded on a common set of values.

– Innovation, trust, cooperation, and accountability are four values that we strive to demonstrate daily to our customers and business partners. We consider it as a major perk to have found a franchisee who shares our values, and we are very excited about our partnership, says Jesper Hill-Kjærsgaard.