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ABOUT US
ZYNEYRO is a spin-out from the University of Copenhagen, founded by a group of scientists from the Department of Neuroscience in collaboration with Marigold Innovation.
We are committed to developing innovative therapies for chronic pain that avoid the common side effects associated with current treatments.
Building upon more than 15 years of pioneering research in neuronal transmission, we have identified a unique molecular scaffold. This breaktrough discovery enables us to create novel treatments specifically designed to target disorders driven by maladaptive neural plasticity.
Our First Indication: Solutions for Chronic Pain
OUR TECHNOLOGY
"Developing new drugs to treat chronic pain"
At ZYNEYRO, we are dedicated to developing advanced therapies to significantly improve the treatment of chronic pain, addressing a substantial unmet medical need.
Our innovative therapeutic approach selectively targets the neural adaptations underlying chronic pain, effectively bypassing dose-limiting side effects and enhancing patient outcomes.
The need
Neuropathic pain affects 7–10% of the global population, especially women and the elderly. Current medications, such as anti-epileptics, antidepressants, and opioids, offer limited relief and cause significant side effects, highlighting the urgent need for safer and more effective treatments.
Neuropathic pain often results from diabetes, chemotherapy, or herpes zoster, that causes peripheral nerve damage and increased central pain sensitivity. This involves excessive insertion of receptors into spinal synapses (central sensitization). Attempts to directly block these receptors previously failed due to severe side effects.
Our Solution
We developed a selective approach targeting the scaffold protein PICK1, responsible for glutamate receptor insertion specifically under neuropathic conditions, avoiding direct receptor blockade.
Our synthetic bivalent peptide specifically inhibits PICK1, reducing receptor insertion and pain signalling. Preclinical studies confirm reduced receptor insertion and improved pain control.
The Impact
Subcutaneous administration of our synthetic inhibitors provides rapid, temporary relief from evoked and spontaneous pain in animal models of neuropathic, inflammatory, and diabetic pain.
Importantly, no adverse effects on normal pain sensitivity, cognitive functions, or glucose metabolism were observed, nor was any abuse potential identified.
Our aim is to offer effective chronic pain relief without the common side effects.
OUR TEAM
Steen S Klysner
CEO
Steen brings over 25 years of experience in life science management, specializing in strategy, financing, business development, and R&D across executive and non-executive roles.
He has held CEO-positions in multiple biotech companies, most recently at Armana Therapeutics, a Dutch gene therapy firm. Steen has also successfully led a listing on Nasdaq First North in Stockholm and served as Senior Vice President of Preclinical R&D at Merck KGaA’s allergy division in Germany.
Steen holds a Ph.D. from the Technical University of Denmark and an Industrial Scientist Degree from the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences.
ANDREAS TOFT SØRENSEN
CSO & Co-Founder
Andreas has extensive research experience from several international laboratories. He earned his PhD in Experimental Neurology from Lund University in Sweden and has spent four years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA. He is currently an Associated Professor and group leader at the University of Copenhagen.
Andreas has a strong background in neuropeptides and AAV technologies, particularly in understanding how peptides influence synaptic transmission and plasticity. His work also explores the potential of peptides as theraputic agents for treating serious neurological disorders.
KENNETH LINDEGAARD MADSEN
Co-Founder & Scientific Advisor
Kenneth is Associate Professor at Molecular Neurophamacology and Genetics Group, Department of Neuroscience at University of Copenhagen.
Kenneth’s has a strong expertise on protein-protein interactions and cellular trafficking processes related to synaptic transmission. Kenneth has more than 20 years of experience with the biology of the synaptic scaffold protein PICK1 and has solved the molecular structure. Moreover, he has developed a novel quantitative method for assessing binding of scaffold proteins to membrane proteins in their native membrane environment. Together these efforts have enabled the rational design and patenting of bivalent, high-affinity inhibitors to potently target PICK1 in pain and addiction.
Kenneth has a strong national and international network with researchers covering organic chemistry, synthetic biology, structural biology, cell biology, synaptic transmission and pain physiology.
ULRIK GETHER
Co-Founder & Scientific Advisor
Ulrik is Professor of Neuropharmacology and Head of Department of Neuroscience at University of Copenhagen.
Ulrik Gether obtained his MD degree in 1990 and his DMSc degree in 2000. After working three years as a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Prof. Brian Kobilka at Stanford University, he received the Ole Roemer Award enabling him to start his own laboratory at University of Copenhagen in 1996. He has received extensive external funding for his research including funding for several Centers of Excellence.
Ulrik Gether’s lab has long-standing expertise in studying the molecular, cellular and physiological function of monoamine receptors and transporters.
Ulrik together with Kenneth Madsen pioneered the pharmacological targeting of PDZ domain proteins, such as PICK1, and developed and patented the first small molecule inhibitors for this type of proteins together with Neurosearch A/S.
CONTACT US
We would love to hear from you. Contact us today!
Office Address
ZYNEYRO ApS
C/O Marigold Innovation
Agern Allé 24
2970 Hørsholm
Denmark
