Inside information: Herantis Pharma selected for Horizon 2025 grant of EUR 8.0 million for Phase 2 trial of HER-096

Core Insights - Herantis Pharma has been selected to lead a consortium for a EUR 8.0 million grant from the Horizon Europe 2025 Research and Innovation program to support a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial of HER-096 in Parkinson's disease [1][2][3] Funding and Study Details - The funding will facilitate a Phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized efficacy and safety study of HER-096 in early-stage Parkinson's disease patients [2] - The study will commence once necessary preparations, including regulatory approvals, are completed [2] Company Background and Product Information - Herantis Pharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson's disease, with HER-096 as its lead product [7][8] - HER-096 is a first-in-class small peptide designed to mimic the activity of cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) and is administered subcutaneously [7][9] - Previous clinical trials have shown HER-096 to be generally safe and well-tolerated, with promising preclinical results indicating its potential to stop disease progression and improve patient quality of life [11][10] Horizon Europe Initiative - The Horizon Europe initiative aims to accelerate the translation of biotech research into clinical development, focusing on faster access to innovative therapies, increasing clinical trials in the EU, and enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs in the health biotech sector [6]