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OUR STORY

Akthelia was founded by four eminent professors from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and the University of Iceland.

The company is focused on the discovery and development of therapeutics that enhance and deploy the body's own innate defense mechanisms to combat debilitating diseases.

OUR MISSION

Unlocking healthier futures with epithelial reprogramming

Today, Akthelia is an exciting preclinical-stage biopharma company committed to developing innovative therapies that improve the lives of patients worldwide.

 

Our mission is to discover and develop new treatments that enhance and deploy the body's own innate microbial defense mechanisms to combat debilitating diseases.

We believe that our approach has the potential to revolutionize the way that we treat a wide range of diseases, including cancer, infection, and autoimmune disorders. 

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EGILL MASSON

CEO

Our Journey 

Our Foundation

AKTHELIA'S FOUNDATION 

Akthelia's foundation was based on more than a decade of ground-breaking research into human host defense peptides and the mechanisms of barrier dysfunction by our scientific founders at the University of Iceland and the Karolinska Institute.

2014

CELL-BASED REPORTER ASSAYS

Emerging from early work on short chain fatty acid effects on epithelia, our first IP came from human cell-based reporter assays to select for the amplification of host immunity in epithelial surfaces. Aroylated phenylenediamines (APDs) were identified as potential drug candidates and one of our core patents was filed around the application of this class of compound.

OUR TEAM

We have a capital efficient core team complemented by an wider group of retained advisors, consultants and key opinion leader clinicians, providing expertise across the spectrum of scientific, medical and therapeutic development expertise. 

Meet the Team

Senior Management

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Egill Masson

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CEO

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Helga Einarsdóttir

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  • ResearchGate Profile

R&D Manager
Wound Therapeutics

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Prof Gudmundur Gudmundsson

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  • ResearchGate Profile
  • Google Scholar

CSO

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Sonja Srdanović

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  • ResearchGate Profile

R&D Manager
Infections & Inflammation

Board of Directors

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Valur Ragnarsson

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Chairman

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Stefan Sveinsson

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Director

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Prof Gudmundur Gudmundsson

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  • ResearchGate Profile
  • Google Scholar

Director, Co-founder

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Eirikur Steingrimsson

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  • ResearchGate Profile

Director, Co-founder

Advisors

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Prof Yaron Ilan

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  • Google Scholar

Chair, Scientific Advisory Board

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Prof. Peter Bergman

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  • Google Scholar

Clinical Advisor

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Prof Roger Strömberg

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  • ResearchGate
  • Google Scholar

Co-Founder and Chemistry Advisor

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Fredrik Lehmann

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CMC Advisor

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Prof Birgitta Agerberth

  • ResearchGate
  • Google Scholar

Co-Founder and Biology Advisor

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Elisabeth Augustsson

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Regulatory Affairs Advisor

Equal Opportunities

OUR EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES PROMISE

We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

At Akthelia Pharmaceuticals, we are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our human capital is our most valuable asset – the collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture but our reputation and company’s achievement as well.

Equal Employment Opportunity

 

We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. Akthelia Pharmaceuticals complies with applicable international, federal and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Respectful Work Environment

 

We believe that the wide array of perspectives that results from such diversity promotes innovation and business success. Managing diversity makes us more creative, flexible, productive, and competitive.

Recruitment and Career Development

 

Recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion of persons in all job titles shall be based on qualifications and job performance. All employees have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

Accessibility and Accommodations

 

We are committed to making our application process and workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. Akthelia Pharmaceuticals will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities who need assistance applying for a job or to employees who need assistance with their job.

Continuous Improvement

 

We recognize that the responsibility for diversity and inclusion lies with all at the workplace. We are committed to continuous improvement and periodic review of our diversity practices and policy.

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