Teitur means happiness in Old Norse. What inspired you to choose this name for the company, and how does it reflect your vision for developing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases?
At Teitur, our name captures the essence of our mission. Meaning “joyful” or “bright” in Old Norse, Teitur reflects our commitment to bringing light and hope to patients and families affected by Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases. We are developing innovative, disease-modifying treatments that go beyond symptom management, aiming to alter the course of these conditions.
By offering the potential for real change, we strive to create brighter, healthier futures for those impacted. Teitur is more than a name—it’s a symbol of our dedication to transforming lives through groundbreaking therapies.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when co-founding Teitur Trophics in 2020, especially in the early stages of developing novel therapeutics?
Starting a company as a postdoc, without being an established scientist, comes with significant challenges. Understanding business demands, while learning about legal, financial, and operational aspects, is a steep learning curve, however cutting-edge research, and determination can turn these challenges into unique opportunities for growth and success.
Teitur has developed unique cyclic peptides targeting key pathologies in neurodegenerative diseases. Can you elaborate on the key scientific breakthroughs that enabled this development?
Teitur is founded on groundbreaking research from the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University, where we discovered a completely novel pathway that drives neuronal survival and function. This pathway is uniquely capable of targeting all three pillars of neurodegeneration—enhancing mitochondrial function, lysosomal function, and synaptic integrity. By addressing these critical areas simultaneously, we are creating a truly unique opportunity to tackle neurodegenerative diseases at their core
Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and Frontotemporal Dementia are devastating conditions. What led you to focus on these specific diseases, and how do you prioritize your efforts across them?
Our lead program targets key pathologies in Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Frontotemporal Dementia. Several in vivo studies have shown that our peptide effectively prevents or halts disease progression. We are in constant dialogue with key opinion leaders in these fields and have received strong support for these indications. Importantly, this mechanism also holds the potential to address other neurodegenerative diseases in the future, broadening its therapeutic impact.
The biotech landscape is highly competitive, especially in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. How does Teitur Trophics differentiate itself from other companies working on similar treatments, and what sets your approach apart?
What sets Teitur apart is its foundation on a unique pathway in brain neurons, offering a novel approach to neurodegenerative diseases. Our treatment is not only highly effective in preventing neuron death, but it also provides a patient-friendly option with once-weekly subcutaneous delivery. This combination of powerful therapeutic effects and minimal treatment burden ensures a more convenient and manageable experience for patients.
What drives you?
Since starting university, my motivation has always been to explore and understand health and disease, driven by the desire to contribute to improving patient outcomes. This has been the guiding principle behind my scientific work. When we discovered the potent survival pathway, it wasn’t just a unique opportunity to develop a new treatment—it became our responsibility to see if this could help patients suffering from devastating neurodegenerative diseases. This responsibility continues to fuel our efforts every day.
Developing a novel therapeutic involves significant R&D. What does your research process look like, and how do you approach the challenges of translating early discoveries into viable treatments?
At the heart of Teitur’s discovery efforts is innovative science, guided by our exceptional CSO, Anders Dalby, who has pioneered work in this field. Our R&D is driven by a combination of thorough, diligent research and a novel approach, enabling us to rapidly advance our lead program. This same approach has also generated exciting pipeline programs, which we look forward to presenting in the future.
How do you ensure that the needs and experiences of patients with neurodegenerative diseases are at the forefront of Teitur’s drug development?
Since its inception, Teitur has maintained close dialogue with key opinion leaders and patient organizations in the field. Their invaluable feedback has guided our studies, helping us understand how to obtain critical insights before transitioning to clinical trials. This collaboration has not only shaped our approach to addressing these indications but has also led to the development of strong preclinical data packages that are strongly endorsed by patient communities.
What do you believe the future holds for neurodegenerative disease treatments, and how do you see Teitur’s compounds fitting into this evolving landscape?
The neurodegenerative field has unfortunately faced many disappointments in clinical trials over the past few years. However, I believe that the current strong scientific focus will enhance our understanding of patients, enabling us to provide better treatments in the future. This understanding will be crucial for stratifying patients for clinical trials and identifying potential subgroups of patients who may benefit from specific therapies. Diseases like these often require multifaceted approaches for effective management, and our unique strategy of improving neuronal health will be a vital component in preventing or halting the progression of these conditions.
After nearly five years as CEO, how has your leadership style evolved, and what are your key priorities for Teitur Trophics as the company continues to grow?
At Teitur, we firmly believe that our lead compound, TT-P34, has the potential to change the trajectory of neurodegenerative diseases, offering hope to patients and their families. Every effort we make is aimed at demonstrating its effectiveness as swiftly as possible so that this transformative treatment can reach those in need. As a rapidly growing company, our commitment to innovative science and unwavering dedication to our goals is paramount—it’s built into our very name.
I am fortunate to work alongside highly motivated colleagues and exceptional scientists, whose hard work and passion underscore our unique and powerful approach to addressing these devastating conditions. Together, we are driven to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients.