“Umecrine Cognition and Karolinska Development are two well-functioning organizations with experienced and highly specialized teams. This dual leadership arrangement represents a cost-effective approach to drive both companies forward, and I look forward to focusing more intensively on one of Karolinska Development’s largest holdings while serving both organizations. I would like to thank Anders Karlsson for his contributions over the past few years—not least for his very valuable achievements in elevating Umecrine Cognition’s international visibility while preparing for commercial partnerships,” says Dr. Viktor Drvota, incoming CEO of Umecrine Cognition.

Umecrine Cognition’s first-in-class candidate drug, golexanolone, aims to treat debilitating symptoms associated with chronic neuroinflammation. A Phase 2 study involving patients with primary biliary cirrhosis is currently underway. Furthermore, based on intriguing preclinical data, the company is considering developing golexanolone for patients with Parkinson’s disease. With his extensive experience as a long-standing member of the company's Board of Directors, Viktor Drvota is well-prepared to assume the CEO role.

“It has been a pleasure to serve as the CEO of Umecrine Cognition over the past years, at a stage in the company’s development characterized by significant advancements for our unique drug candidate, golexanolone. We have successfully generated new scientific data to support its potential not only to revolutionize the treatment of central fatigue in primary biliary cholangitis but also Parkinson’s disease. In parallel, our efforts to raise the awareness of our drug project among potential partners in the global pharmaceutical industry have been extremely rewarding. I have strong confidence in the prospects for Umecrine Cognition and will, needless to say, be following the company’s development closely going forward,” says Anders Karlsson, departing CEO of Umecrine Cognition.

Viktor Drvota, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor in Cardiology, has over 20 years of venture capital experience spanning numerous investments, significant fundraising campaigns, IPOs, and successful exits. As Head of Life Sciences at SEB Venture Capital (2002–2016), he served on the boards of several prominent biotech and medtech companies. Prior to his venture capital career, Dr. Drvota worked as a Senior Consultant and Associate Professor in Cardiology at Karolinska Institutet/Hospital. His extensive background encompasses both preclinical and clinical research in drug development and medical device innovation. He is currently the CEO of Karolinska Development and will continue in this role alongside his new position as CEO of Umecrine Cognition on a 50/50 basis.

For further information, please contact:
Viktor Drvota, CEO, Umecrine Cognition AB
Phone: +46 73 982 52 02, e-mail: viktor.drvota@karolinskadevelopment.com

About Umecrine Cognition
Umecrine Cognition AB is developing a completely new class of drugs for the treatment of symptoms in the central nervous system related to chronic neuroinflammation – a devastating brain distortion that can lead to severely impaired cognition and fatigue. Chronic neuroinflammation can occur as a result of a number of underlying conditions, including a range of liver diseases as well as neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease. Results from an internationally acclaimed Phase 2 clinical study indicate that the company's most advanced drug candidate, the GABAA receptor-modulating steroid antagonist golexanolone, normalizes brain signaling and improves cognition and alertness in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. A Phase 2 study is currently ongoing in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Further, based on intriguing preclinical data, the company is considering pursuing the development of golexanolone in patients with Parkinson’s disease. For more information, visit www.umecrinecognition.com.