The investment consortium includes Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding and Libertatis Ergo Holding (LEH) and a recently secured convertible loan from Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland, together with US based angels.
The proof-of-principle trial with NovoBioJect is scheduled to include its first patient in Q4 2025. This study is being developed and executed in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Robert de Jonge (Laboratory Medicine Amsterdam UMC) and Dr. Maja Bulatovic (Clinical Pharmacologist Utrecht UMC). The study will be performed at the CHDR in Leiden. The production of the investigational medical product is taken on by the Academic Pharma Group at the LUMC.

Amplio Pharma CEO Marguerite Mensonides stated: “We believe that our close collaborations with key partners within the Dutch ecosystem have been key in securing these funds. We are beyond excited by the opportunity of securing the first in-human proof-of-principle results in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in 2025.”

Amplio Pharma Chief Scientific Officer Clinical Karin von Wachenfeldt stated: “We are very excited that this clinical trial will give insight into the immediate cellular pharmacokinetics of MTX for the very first time. This part of the puzzle of MTX has been lacking until now. But due to the development of an analysis method by the group of Prof. Robert de Jonge, we will finally learn about this crucial part of MTX treatment in autoimmune disease. At the same time, we can test if NovoBioJect can improve on the total and local cellular pharmacokinetics.”

Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding managing director Rudi Rust stated: “Amplio Pharma’s approach — boosting the effectiveness of methotrexate with a well-understood compound like novobiocin — offers great potential to improve patient outcomes, while reducing healthcare costs. We’re excited to join LEH and the Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland in this Seed financing round to support such a promising innovation.”

LEH managing director Rob Mayfield stated: “We are very pleased to be joined by Amsterdam UMC Ventures Holding and Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland in this exciting development. Amplio Pharma is leveraging expertise across the Netherlands and USA to bring this innovative drug product to patients in need.”

About Amplio Pharma B.V.
Amplio Pharma was started in 2020 in Lund, Sweden, by Marguerite Mensonides, Karin von Wachenfeldt and Charlott Brunmark, each with +20 years’ experience in developing and marketing pharmaceuticals. In May 2023, Amplio Pharma B.V. was founded and development activities for NovoBioJect transferred to the Netherlands. (www.amplio-pharma.com).

About Libertatis Ergo Holding (LEH)
LEH is an independent, seed investor in life science and health companies, which creates, supports and invests in startup and spinout companies connected to the activities of Leiden University, many of which are located on the Leiden Bio Science Park. (www.libertatisergo.com).

About Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases (IMIDs)
IMIDs are a group of chronic diseases with systemic inflammation and multiorgan involvement, including: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), psoriasis (Pso), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (including the subtypes Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis), uveitis, sarcoidosis, atopic dermatitis (AD), connective tissue disorders, asthma, and some neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). These diseases affect 5-7% of the general Western society. IMIDs are chronic and progressive diseases and, notwithstanding, different clinical manifestations, cause debilitating pain and fatigue, skin manifestations and multiorgan dysfunction starkly reducing both the patient’s quality of life and lifespan. The chronic disabling conditions that IMIDs impose when left (under)treated, result in job loss or early retirements, adding to socioeconomic impact of these diseases.

About Methotrexate
Low dose methotrexate (MTX) is the cornerstone in the treatment of IMIDs like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other forms of inflammatory arthritis. However, a majority of the patients need to take additional drug products on top of their MTX due to inefficacy, resulting in higher disease burden and/or more societal expenses. From recent studies it has become apparent that this is related to the quick elimination of MTX from the pro-inflammatory cells.