Hemerion develops a combined therapeutic approach that pairs a drug, Pentalafen®, with a photonic device, the Heliance® Solution, to treat glioblastoma. Pentalafen® is administered before tumor resection and preferentially accumulates in tumor cells; after surgery the Heliance® illumination activates the drug to destroy residual cancer cells where light penetrates. Phase I trials conducted in 2017–2018 with CHU de Lille were published in 2021 and demonstrated safety, tolerability, and encouraging early efficacy signals. The company says the technology integrates into standard care alongside surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy and was co‑designed with neurochirurgeons for use in the operating room. Hemerion is discussing Phase II trial setup with the FDA, targeting first patient inclusion in late 2023, and plans to explore extending the technology to other oncology indications. The company reports having raised more than €7M over the past two years and intends to pursue a Series A to fund the pivotal Phase II and III studies required for commercialisation. Hemerion Therapeutics develops a photochemical therapeutic platform (Heliance) that combines a tumor‑selective drug with targeted laser illumination to destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. The technology is designed as an add‑on to surgery to eliminate tumor cells in areas inaccessible to resection and has potential applications beyond glioblastoma. Hemerion has already initiated its clinical program with a first conclusive clinical trial and is conducting preclinical evaluations for other cancer indications. The company is actively engaging with the FDA to obtain IND clearance and plans a Phase II trial in the first half of 2023 in collaboration with Mount Sinai Hospital (10–15 patients) to validate safety. Financially, Hemerion completed a €3.55M seed fundraising to accelerate international clinical development and to strengthen regulatory, clinical and industrial resources, while preparing for a Series A in 2023.

Total raised

$6M

Funding rounds

4

Latest round

Grant

Latest activity

Apr 2023