HBC Immunology LLC (“HBCI” or the “Company”), a majority owned subsidiary of Hofseth BioCare ASA (“HBC”), has successfully completed the required minimum seed capital financing of approx. USD 900,000 from external investors at a company valuation of USD 20 million to commence preclinical animal trials with their patented peptides, FT-002 and FT-005. These are analogs of peptides discovered by HBC in ProGo® Bioactive Peptides which modulate iron metabolism and have Qualified Health claims granted for this mode of action, verifying their safety and efficacy. HBCI may increase this round of seed capital to the end of October 2023.

HBCI is focused on the discovery and development of peptides that normalize tumor micro-environments, resulting in the improved performance of immunotherapies and chemotherapies. The first targeted indication is advanced prostate cancer with the aim to move into earlier stages of the disease and ultimately to both improve patient quality of life and survival. Other potential cancer indications with on-going in vitro work, include breast and ovarian cancer.

HBCI’s CEO Dr. Bomi Framroze says: “HBCI is at the forefront of research in using peptides to modulate gene expression. Our first therapeutic target is resistant CRPC (Castration-resistant prostate cancer). We hope to reinvigorate the sensitivity of these tumors to standard AR inhibitors via modulation of the FTH1 gene within the tumor micro environment.” 

The objective of this round’s use of proceeds is to demonstrate the bioactivity of the lead peptides in animal xenograft models of prostate cancer. This seed capital is expected to fund HBCI to a decision to open a US FDA IND by the end of 2024.

For further information, please contact:
Dr. Crawford Currie, MD
Head of Medical R&D at HBC, CMO at HBCI
Mob: +44 7968195497
E-mail: cc@hofsethbiocare.no

About HBC:

HBC is a Norwegian consumer and pet health ingredient supplier and an incubator for new pharmaceutical drug leads. Research is ongoing to identify the individual elements within its ingredients that modulate inflammation and the immune response with pre-clinical studies ongoing in multiple clinics and university research labs. Lead clinical and pre-clinical candidates are focused on developing an oral treatment for inflammatory disease driven by eosinophils (a type of white blood cell). Clinical trial work with the oil is ongoing to ameliorate lung inflammation in eosinophilic asthma and COPD ("smokers lung") as well as in COVID. Other leads are focused on the protection of the Gastro- Intestinal (GI) system against inflammation (including ulcerative colitis and the orphan condition necrotising enterocolitis) and using a special formula of soluble protein hydrolysate (SPH also known as ProGo®) as a Medical Food to help treat IBD, and for Iron Deficiency Anemia.

The company is founded on the core values of sustainability, optimal utilization of natural resources and full traceability. Through an innovative hydrolysis technology, HBC can preserve the quality of the lipids, proteins and calcium from fresh salmon off-cuts. HBC's headquarters are in Ålesund, Norway with branches in Oslo, London, Zürich, Ningbo, New Jersey and Palo Alto. HBC is listed on Oslo Børs with ticker "HBC".

This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to MAR article 17 and section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.