Industrifonden invests in new cancer drug

Industrifonden invests 25 million kronor in Aprea AB, a Swedish pharmaceutical company that is developing a new drug against cancer. The existing shareholders, Karolinska Development, Östersjöstiftelsen (the Baltic Foundation) and Praktikerinvest, are also taking part in the stock issue.

Aprea, which was formed in 2003, is based in Karolinska Institutet's Science Park. The com-pany is developing a drug that attacks cancer in an entirely new way. The most serious and most difficult to treat forms of cancer are caused by the failure of the body's own immune system to function effectively. The hope is that Aprea's substance will restore the functioning of the protein - known as p53 - that protects the body against cancer. As yet, the substance has only been tested on animals; however, the results are very good. The company expects to launch clinical studies on humans within a year.

The anti-cancer protein - p53 - is part of a huge international research area in which Karolin-ska Institutet is one of the leading players. Aprea's patented substance is unique of its kind.

"What is unique about Aprea's substance is that it has the potential to be used against many different types of cancer," says Hedvig Andersén, investment manager at Industrifonden. "Moreover, the substance is relatively simple and easy to produce at reasonable cost."

"We are most gratified that such a large and capable investor as Industrifonden has invested in Aprea," says the company's CEO Claes Post. "Their extensive network and industrial expertise will be a valuable contribution to Aprea's forthcoming commercial development."

"After having worked with and invested in Aprea since the very start, I am very pleased to have Industrifonden on board as we move into the important and time-consuming clinical development phase," says Hans-Peter Ekre, investment manager at Karolinska Development.

Aprea will raise 50 million kronor via this share placement. The proceeds will be used to fi-nance further pre-clinical and clinical studies of the substance.

For further information, please contact:

Hedvig Andersén, Investment Manager, Industrifonden: +46 (0) 708 28 82 20

Claes Post, President Aprea: + 46 (0) 70 276 81 68, claes.post@aprea.com

Hans-Peter Ekre, Investment Manager, Karolinska Development: +46 (0) 705 336 747