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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 dedicated to developing innovative treatments for chronic pain—without the usual side effects.
Over 15 years of pioneering research into neuronal transmission has led us to discover a unique molecular scaffold. This breakthrough allows us to develop novel therapeutics targeting 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 aim to provide better treatment for chronic pain condition patients, thereby addressing a vast unmet medical need.
We are developing innovative therapeutic solutions to selectively target the neural adaptations underlying chronic pain and thereby circumventing dose-limiting side-effects.
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, causing peripheral nerve damage and increased central pain sensitivity. This involves excessive insertion of glutamate 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 inhibitor (mPD5) 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 solution potentially offers effective chronic pain relief without common side effects.
To see more, please find selected data from ZYNEYRO in the PDF below:
Click here to review the publication history of our work on the PICK1 target.
Read the two most recent publications here:
Our research also attracted attention from the Scandinavian media:
OUR TEAM
Steen S Klysner
CEO
Steen has more than 25 years of life sciences experience across executive and non-executive roles in management, business development, and R&D.
Steen has served as the CEO of several biotech companies. Most recently Armana Therapeutics, a Dutch gene therapy firm which he joined after leading the successful listing of ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies on Nasdaq First North in Stockholm. Prior to that, he was SVP of Preclinical R&D and Quality at Allergopharma, Merck KGaA’s allergy division in Germany.
He holds a Ph.D. from the Technical University of Denmark, and an Industrial Scientist Degree from the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences.
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ANDREAS TOFT SØRENSEN
CSO & Co-Founder
Andreas is an Associate Professor at the Department of Neuroscience at University of Copenhagen.
Andreas has research experience from several international laboratories over the last 10 years. He is trained as an electrophysiologist and holds a PhD degree in Experimental Neurology from Lund University, Sweden, and more lately he worked for 4 years at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA.
Andreas has extensive experience on developing AAV technologies, including how such technologies can be used to affect and change synaptic transmission and plasticity in order to treat CNS-related 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