Sortina Pharma – exit from SciLifeLab’s Drug Discovery and Development Platform

On November 12, Sortina Pharma made an exit from SciLifeLab’s Drug Discovery and Development platform (DDD) with a project focusing on the therapeutic potential of sortilin – a  membrane glycoprotein in the vacuolar protein sorting 10 protein (Vps10p) family of sorting receptors.

The exit took place at the 10-year anniversary symposium held by the platform, and we got the opportunity to congratulate Sortina Pharma founders Sara Rhost, CEO and Göran Landberg, University of Gothenburg and ask a few questions. 

Congratulations to the exit from the DDD platform, tell us more about the scientific rationale behind Sortina Pharma!

Thank you! Sortina Pharma is dedicated to the development of small molecule therapeutics targeting sortilin, a key driver in both cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. By focusing on sortilin’s role in disease progression, we aim to create life-saving treatments for patients with unmet medical needs, beginning with a first-in-class oncology drug for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). With a scalable, IP-backed approach, Sortina Pharma aims to establish a leadership position in sortilin-targeted therapies, ultimately providing patients with innovative options that address the underlying mechanisms of challenging diseases.

What has the DDD platform provided to Sortina Pharma? 

The DDD platform has provided us with a range of expertise and analytical support for advancing our drug development. Key contributions include medicinal chemistry insights, ADME analyses, and biophysical screening. Additionally, the platform has supported us in therapeutic protein engineering and preclinical analyses, enhancing our ability to validate our therapeutic candidates early in the development process. 

What is the next step for your company?

The next step for Sortina Pharma is to advance a lead oncology drug candidate for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) toward clinical proof of concept. This involves optimizing our lead molecules and selection of candidate drug, advance our preclinical data package, completing crucial regulatory preparations, and initiating early-stage clinical trials. Our aim is to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of our sortilin-targeted approach, laying the groundwork for a strategic partnership to further clinical development. 

Additionally, we are exploring opportunities to expand our technology platform to other cancer types and neurodegenerative diseases, building on our strong IP position and scalable therapeutic model.

Where do you see Sortina Pharma in say, five to ten years?

In five to ten years, we envision Sortina Pharma as a leader in sortilin-targeted therapeutics, with a diversified portfolio including both cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. A strategic M&A of the company once our lead drug candidate for Glioblastoma Multiforme reaches clinical proof of concept. Through strategic partnerships, potential mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and out-licensing opportunities, Sortina Pharma aims to establish a robust global presence. 

Kristian Sandberg, Director for the national research infrastructure SciLifeLab Drug Discovery and Development platform has been the sponsor of the development process from SciLifeLab’s side. 

“Working with Sortina Pharma has been an inspiring journey. Their focus on sortilin’s potential exemplifies the kind of pioneering research SciLifeLab’s Drug Discovery and Development Platform is designed to support. This exit underscores our commitment to advancing innovative therapeutic solutions, and we look forward to seeing Sortina Pharma’s continued progress in the development of sortilin-targeted treatments, says Kristian Sandberg, Director for the national research infrastructure SciLifeLab Drug Discovery and Development platform.