The Swedish Biotech Company PEPDURA is seeking new peptide technologies based on target-therapy to be applied in oncology (PPI targets), inflammatory disorders, rare genetic diseases with peptide-druggable biology, and CNS conditions where peptide delivery barriers are being addressed.
What is required
A brief, non-confidential description of research from your group for evaluation as a potential Pepdura collaboration.
What is offered
If the technology is selected, Pepdura may provide financial sponsorship for a defined translational research programme.
More details here.
About PEPDURA
Pepdura is a Swedish biotech company focused on a defined and scientifically coherent niche: translating stabilized peptides inspired by endogenous ligands into clinical drug candidates. We work predominantly in the space of protein–protein interaction (PPI) modulation and receptor biology, where conventional small molecules routinely fail and where well-designed peptides offer a compelling pharmacological advantage.
Our founding team brings together approximately 25 years of large-pharma drug development experience — spanning lead optimisation, IND-enabling studies, CMC strategy, and Phase 1–3 clinical management — with deep academic expertise in peptide chemistry and structural biology. We are not a virtual licensing shop: we take an active scientific and operational role in advancing the programmes we sponsor.
What we are looking for
We are specifically interested in peptide technologies that sit at the intersection of strong biological rationale and realistic translational potential. Ideal submissions share most of the following characteristics:
- Peptides derived from, or inspired by, natural ligands (endogenous peptides, natural products, protein epitopes)
- Incorporation of structural stabilisation strategies — stapling, macrocyclization, backbone modification, or equivalent approaches — to address the classical liabilities of linear peptides (proteolytic instability, poor cellular uptake, low oral bioavailability)
- A well-characterised molecular target, with evidence of pathway engagement and disease relevance in serious or rare conditions
- A credible early development path: the technology need not be advanced, but there should be a clear scientific rationale for reaching a cellular or in vivo proof-of-concept within a defined timeframe
- Disease areas of current interest to us include oncology (PPI targets), inflammatory disorders, rare genetic diseases with peptide-druggable biology, and CNS conditions where peptide delivery barriers are being addressed
We recognise that not every promising project will fit neatly into these descriptors, and we encourage you to reach out for an informal conversation before deciding whether to submit.
How a collaboration works
We have designed our process to be straightforward and to respect your time and intellectual property. Typically, collaboration develops in three stages:
- Initial evaluation — you submit a one-page, non-confidential summary. No IP is shared at this stage. We review and respond within four weeks.
- Scientific and commercial dialogue — if the technology is of interest, we enter a protected conversation (under a mutual CDA) to discuss biology, IP landscape, collaboration structure, and milestone expectations.
- Sponsored collaboration — subject to agreement, Pepdura provides financial sponsorship for a defined translational research programme. Typical structures include sponsored research agreements with milestone-linked payments, option-to-license arrangements with right of first refusal, and equity or co-development partnerships for more advanced technologies.
We are happy to discuss what a fair and practical arrangement might look like for your group and your institution’s technology transfer office before any commitment is made.
Next steps
The attached one-page call document describes what we are asking you to submit. We would very much welcome a short introductory conversation before you invest time in preparing a submission — please feel free to contact me directly. If you know of colleagues whose research might fit this call, we would appreciate you sharing this invitation with them.
