1 The EIC Accelerator Project
EIC Accelerator Program: Overview and Significance
The EIC Accelerator program, part of the European Innovation Council (EIC), is designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, particularly those operating in the deep tech sector. Focused on fostering innovation, the program provides financial backing through a combination of grants and equity investments, enabling companies to develop and scale their breakthrough technologies. The funding structure allows for grants up to €2.5 million and equity investments that can reach up to €15 million until 2024 and €10 million from 2025 onwards. This blended finance approach aims to mitigate the risks associated with innovative projects while ensuring that companies have the necessary resources to bring their products to market.
Purpose and Impact of the EIC Accelerator
The primary purpose of the EIC Accelerator is to enhance the European deep tech and startup ecosystem by providing targeted financial and advisory support. This program plays a critical role in helping companies scale their operations and secure adequate funding from private investors. By addressing the critical gap in financing for high-risk, high-reward projects, the EIC Accelerator not only fosters innovation but also stimulates economic growth across Europe. It supports companies in navigating the complexities of market entry, regulatory challenges, and investor engagement, thereby creating a conducive environment for technological advancement.
PERHA Pharmaceuticals SAS: EIC Accelerator Success Story
Company Overview
PERHA Pharmaceuticals SAS, based in France, is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics for neurological disorders. Leveraging cutting-edge scientific research, PERHA aims to address significant unmet medical needs, particularly in the area of cognitive decline associated with genetic conditions.
EIC Accelerator Project: DOWN-AUTONOMY
The project acronym DOWN-AUTONOMY represents a groundbreaking initiative focused on LCTB-21, a DYRK1A protein kinase inhibitor designed for the treatment of cognitive decline in individuals with Down Syndrome. This project was submitted as a Step 2 proposal on March 23, 2022, and subsequently won the Step 3 interview, granting it access to the EIC Accelerator's blended finance model.
Technology Basics and Background of LCTB-21
DYRK1A (Dual-specificity Tyrosine-phosphorylated and Regulated Kinase 1A) is a protein kinase that plays a significant role in various cellular processes, including neuronal development and synaptic function. Dysregulation of this kinase has been implicated in cognitive impairments associated with Down Syndrome, a condition caused by the trisomy of chromosome 21, which includes the DYRK1A gene.
LCTB-21 acts by selectively inhibiting the DYRK1A kinase activity, aiming to restore normal signaling pathways that are adversely affected in patients with Down Syndrome. Preclinical studies have suggested that through the modulation of DYRK1A activity, LCTB-21 can improve cognitive functions and potentially mitigate the symptoms of cognitive decline.
The significance of this project lies in its targeted approach to a specific genetic condition, which has historically lacked effective therapeutic options. By focusing on a biological mechanism directly linked to the cognitive deficits observed in Down Syndrome, the DOWN-AUTONOMY project represents a potential paradigm shift in treatment methodologies, moving towards precision medicine.
Conclusion
The EIC Accelerator program serves as a crucial catalyst for innovation within the European startup ecosystem, providing essential funding and support for companies like PERHA Pharmaceuticals SAS. The DOWN-AUTONOMY project, with its focus on LCTB-21 and its potential to treat cognitive decline in Down Syndrome, exemplifies the program's commitment to advancing deep tech solutions that address critical health challenges. By bridging the funding gap and facilitating market entry, the EIC Accelerator not only supports individual companies but also contributes to the broader goal of enhancing health outcomes and driving economic growth across Europe.
2 The Funding Rounds
Financing Raised by Perha Pharmaceuticals (France) Since EIC Accelerator Funding
Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS, based in France, has pursued several notable funding rounds and grant awards since its inception, focusing on advancing its lead compound for cognitive disorders such as Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease.
Funding Rounds and Amounts
- Fall 2021: Seed/Pre-Series A Round
- Total Raised: €3.1 million
- Breakdown:
- €1.5 million from the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation
- €1.3 million from business angels
- €0.3 million from Bpifrance (French public investment bank)
- Purpose: To finance preclinical development of their lead molecule, Leucettinib-21.
- March 2022: EIC Accelerator Grant
- Awarded by: European Innovation Council (EIC)
- Amount: €2.5 million grant (non-dilutive funding)
- This EU-based grant coincides with Perha's successful Step 2 proposal submitted at the March 23, 2022 cut-off.
- By July/August/September (?) (projected in late December reports):
- The company announced plans to raise a further round of between €1.5–€2 million during regulatory preclinical studies in early-to-mid 2022 to support transition into human clinical trials slated for early-to-mid-2023.
- As of available reporting, confirmation or closure details for this round are not public.
Investor Information
- Major identified investors include:
- Jérôme Lejeune Foundation (€1.5M), focused on genetic intellectual disabilities research.
- Individual business angels (€1.3M).
- Bpifrance (€0.3M), a state-backed French investor specializing in innovation-driven companies.
- European Innovation Council provided non-equity blended finance support through its competitive accelerator program.
Additional Grants & Collaborations
In addition to direct equity investments and grants above:
Company Valuation Information
No official company valuation figures are publicly disclosed as part of any reported funding rounds or press releases; none cited specific post-money valuations or valuation methodologies at each stage.
Exit Events (IPO/Buyout/Acquisition)
As per all accessible sources up until April 24, 2025:
The company's financing history remains centered on seed/preclinical-stage capital raises combined with substantial EU public innovation funds rather than commercial venture capital-led growth rounds indicative of imminent exit planning.
Sources
- Perha Pharmaceuticals company information — Dealroom
- Perha Pharmaceuticals raises €3.1M — French Healthcare
- Perha Pharmaceuticals & Catalyze celebrate €9M collaboration
3 The Press Releases
Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS, a French biotech company, has made significant progress and announcements since winning the EIC Accelerator funding after submitting their Step 2 proposal on March 23, 2022. Their focus centers on developing innovative kinase inhibitors targeting cognitive decline in Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as hearing loss induced by ototoxic products.Key Press Releases and Updates
1. Major Collaboration and Funding Milestones
- In a notable €9 million collaboration celebrated with Catalyze Group, Perha Pharmaceuticals secured €8 million in blended finance to advance their project “Leucettinib-21,” a DYRK1A protein kinase inhibitor aimed at treating cognitive decline in Down Syndrome.
- Prior to the EIC funding success, Perha raised €3.1 million in late 2021 to support clinical development of Leucettinib-21, with financing from the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation (€1.5M), business angels (€1.3M), and Bpifrance (€0.3M).
2. Technology Advancements: Leucettinib-21 Development
- Leucettinib-21 is inspired by leucettamine B derived from marine sponge Leucetta microraphis. It inhibits DYRK1A protein kinase—overexpressed in individuals with DS due to gene triplication on chromosome 21—and addresses associated cognitive deficits.
- Preclinical tolerance studies have been very conclusive; Perha plans Phase 1 clinical trials for safety evaluation in healthy volunteers during 2023 followed by Phase IIa efficacy trials focused on children with Down syndrome targeted for mid-2024.
- The company is developing second-generation DYRK1A inhibitors called "Leucettinibs," selecting optimized drug candidates soon to further treat intellectual disabilities and comorbidities related to DS within the GO-DS21 consortium framework.
3. Partnerships Supporting Research & Development
- Beyond Catalyze Group collaboration, Perha benefits from support under Bpifrance’s Deep Tech innovation mechanism specifically aiding its hearing loss research program triggered by ototoxic drugs like cis-platin or aminoglycosides.
- As part of GO-DS21 consortium efforts addressing Down Syndrome challenges including AD symptoms manifesting early because of shared genetic factors (DYRK1A gene alongside APP and BACE2 genes on chromosome 21), Perha continues advancing targeted therapeutic research through strategic partnerships.
Team Updates
The leadership team includes co-founders Dr. Laurent Meijer—President and Chief Scientific Officer—and Dr. Philippe de Lavenne along with key members such as Dr. Mathias Lindberg who contribute scientific expertise especially around protein kinases’ role in cellular regulation impacting disease pathways.
Patents or Intellectual Property Information
No explicit details about patents were disclosed publicly through available press releases or blog posts; however, given their advanced stage drug candidate development involving novel synthetic molecules inspired by natural compounds (and over 1100 derivatives synthesized), it is likely that patent applications or filings have been pursued internally though not explicitly documented online.
Presence on Website & Social Media
Perha Pharmaceuticals maintains an official website perha-pharma.fr where they provide corporate information but detailed press releases beyond those mentioned above are limited publicly at this time. There are no widely published social media updates or separate blog posts detailing ongoing developments accessible via standard searches currently.
In summary, since winning EIC Accelerator funding post-March 2022 submission cutoff date:
- Perha Pharmaceuticals has successfully secured collaborative financing (~€9 million total) focused primarily around advancing Leucettinib-based therapies targeting cognitive impairment linked to Down syndrome.
- They have demonstrated promising preclinical results supporting upcoming human clinical trials scheduled for initiation starting in early-mid 2023.
- Strategic partnerships underpinning R&D include collaborations with Catalyze Group, consortia like GO-Ds21 along with national innovation funders such as Bpifrance.
This consolidated progress underscores their commitment toward bringing novel treatments addressing intellectual disabilities linked notably to trisomy-related pathologies closer to clinical reality.
Sources
Perha Pharmaceuticals & Catalyze celebrate €9M collaboration Sponsors – perha-pharma.com Perha Pharmaceuticals raises €3.1m - French Healthcare PERHA PHARMACEUTICALS SAS - GO_DS_214 The Technology Advancements
Overview of Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS
Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS is a French biotech company that specializes in developing innovative kinase inhibitors for treating specific medical conditions, primarily focusing on cognitive disorders associated with Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as hearing loss caused by ototoxic products.
Current Capabilities
Perha Pharmaceuticals is engaged in identifying, optimizing, and characterizing low molecular weight kinase inhibitors. The company has been particularly focused on the DYRK1A protein kinase, which is implicated in cognitive deficits in both DS and AD. Their therapeutic approach involves developing inhibitors for this kinase to potentially correct cognitive defects.
Advancements Since EIC Accelerator Funding (March 23, 2022)
Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding, Perha Pharmaceuticals has made notable advancements in developing their DYRK1A inhibitors. They have been working on a second generation of inhibitors known as Leucettinibs, with a specific focus on Leucettinib-21. This drug candidate has undergone preclinical safety studies in rats and minipigs and is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials involving participants with DS and AD.
Technological Improvements
The company has demonstrated improvements in their technology through the optimization and characterization of Leucettinib-21, a small molecule drug candidate derived from a natural product. This optimization has involved extensive biochemical and physiological characterization, positioning Leucettinib-21 as a promising therapeutic agent for cognitive disorders.
Market and Clinical Trials
Perha Pharmaceuticals has demonstrated its technology through clinical trials. The ongoing Phase 1 trial for Leucettinib-21 involves participants with DS and AD, marking a significant step in translating their research into clinical applications.
Patents and Publications
While specific new patents filed since March 2022 are not detailed in the available information, Perha Pharmaceuticals has published several studies related to their drug candidates, including the chemical and biochemical characterization of Leucettinib-21. They continue to be active in research and development, focusing on advancing their therapeutic pipeline.
Conclusion
Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS has leveraged the EIC Accelerator funding effectively to advance its research and development in kinase inhibitors, particularly for DYRK1A-related cognitive disorders. Their progress in clinical trials and drug development highlights significant technological and therapeutic improvements in addressing unmet medical needs.
Sources: - Perha Pharmaceuticals
- Pipeline – Perha Pharmaceuticals
- PERHA PHARMACEUTICALS SAS
- Global Drug Intelligence Database
- Publications – Perha Pharmaceuticals
5 The Partnerships and Customers
Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS Overview
Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS, a French biotech company, focuses on developing innovative treatments, particularly for cognitive deficits associated with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. The company has been actively involved in research and development since its founding.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Perha Pharmaceuticals is a partner in the GO-DS21 consortium, which aims to develop new DYRK1A protein kinase inhibitors to treat intellectual disabilities and comorbidities in Down syndrome. This collaboration underscores Perha's commitment to advancing therapeutic solutions for these conditions.
Funding and Development
Recently, Perha Pharmaceuticals raised €3.1 million to advance Leucettinib-21 to clinical development. This synthetic molecule is inspired by Leucettamine B and targets the DYRK1A protein kinase, which is overexpressed in individuals with Down syndrome and contributes to cognitive deficits. The funding included contributions from the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, business angels, and Bpifrance.
New Relationships and Market Positioning
Since being awarded the EIC Accelerator funding in March 2022, Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS is poised to leverage this support for further development of its preclinical programs. The funding is expected to aid in scaling and technology advancements, particularly in advancing Leucettinib-21 through clinical trials. This will position Perha Pharmaceuticals as a leader in the development of targeted therapies for Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease, offering significant improvements in patient outcomes and quality of life.
Technology Advancements and Scaling
The EIC Accelerator funding will be instrumental in supporting Perha Pharmaceuticals' research and development efforts. By advancing Leucettinib-21 and other DYRK1A inhibitors, the company can accelerate its proof-of-concept studies and move closer to clinical trials, ultimately scaling its operations to meet the needs of a broader patient population.
Sources
- Perha Pharmaceuticals
- Sponsors – Perha Pharmaceuticals
- Global Down Syndrome Pipeline Landscape Assessment 2022
- Down Syndrome Drugs in Development, Worldwide, 2022 Update
- Perha Pharmaceuticals raises €3.1M
- Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS - GO-DS21
6 The Hiring and Company Growth
Perha Pharmaceuticals Overview
Perha Pharmaceuticals, a French company specializing in protein kinase inhibitors, received the EIC Accelerator funding in March 2022. Since then, specific details about the company's team size, hiring processes, and recent positions filled are not publicly available. However, the funding is likely to support the company's growth and research efforts in the biopharmaceutical sector.
Current Status
- Team Size: The current team size of Perha Pharmaceuticals is not disclosed.
- Hiring Status: There is no specific information available on whether Perha Pharmaceuticals is currently hiring.
- Growth: The company's growth is supported by the EIC Accelerator funding, which typically aids in expanding research and development capabilities.
Impact of Funding
The EIC Accelerator funding is designed to support innovative startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing their technologies and scaling up their businesses. For Perha Pharmaceuticals, this funding likely enhances its ability to advance its protein kinase inhibitors, potentially leading to new treatments and expanding its presence in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Future Prospects
New team members, particularly those with expertise in research and development, would be crucial for Perha Pharmaceuticals to scale and grow. They could help accelerate the development of protein kinase inhibitors, leading to potential breakthroughs in disease treatment. However, specific details about recent hires or changes in management are not available.
Management and Founding Team
There is no information on any major changes in the management or founding team of Perha Pharmaceuticals following the EIC Accelerator funding.
Conclusion
While Perha Pharmaceuticals has received significant funding to support its growth, specific details about its current team size, hiring status, and recent positions filled remain unavailable. The company's focus on protein kinase inhibitors suggests a strong commitment to advancing treatments through innovative research.
Sources
7 The Media Features and Publications
Overview of Perha Pharmaceuticals SASPerha Pharmaceuticals SAS, based in France, has been recognized as an EIC Accelerator winner. This prestigious funding was awarded in March 2022, marking a significant milestone for the company. Despite the win, detailed media coverage and specific publications featuring Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS are not widely documented in available sources.
Media Features and Publications
There is limited information available on specific media features or publications that have named Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS. However, the company is mentioned in reports related to Down Syndrome therapeutics development, alongside other key players like AC Immune SA and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
Podcasts or Interviews
No specific podcasts or interviews involving the team of Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS have been identified in the available data.
Conference and Fair Visits, Presentations or Participations
There is no detailed information on Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS's participation in conferences, fairs, or presentations. Their involvement in events appears to be largely focused on securing funding and advancing their therapeutic pipeline, particularly in areas like Down Syndrome research.
Involvement in Events
Perha Pharmaceuticals SAS's most notable involvement in events is their successful participation in the EIC Accelerator program, which culminated in receiving funding in March 2022. This achievement highlights their commitment to innovative research and development in the pharmaceutical sector.
Sources:
- Perha Pharmaceuticals: perha-pharma.com
- Global Down Syndrome Pipeline Landscape Assessment 2022
- Down Syndrome Drugs in Development, Worldwide, 2022 Update
- Down Syndrome - Drugs In Development, 2024
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