What Hervolution Therapeutics does

HERVolution Therapeutics ApS is a privately held, preclinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, with operational presence in the United States. The company develops immunotherapies that target Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV) proteins — antigens derived from the so-called "dark genome" that become reactivated in cancer, metabolic disease, and aging. Its proprietary platform rationally redesigns HERV antigens to deactivate inherent immune suppression while preserving immunogenicity, enabling the immune system to recognize self-antigens previously considered undruggable. The platform supports multiple delivery modalities, including adenoviral vectors, virus-like particles (VLPs), and mRNA, providing flexibility in formulation and prime-boost regimens.

The company's lead clinical program, IPT-001, is a first-in-class senolytic insulin sensitizer targeting HERV-K and is being advanced for both oncology indications (non-small cell lung cancer, solid tumors) and metabolic disease (prediabetes, MASLD). A second pipeline asset, IPT-002, is an mRNA-based booster immunotherapy in lead optimization for solid tumors and undisclosed metabolic indications. The scientific foundation combines founder/CSO Peter Holst's proprietary IP with an exclusive license from the University of Copenhagen covering HERV-targeting technology for controlling weight gain. IPT-001 is currently in IND-enabling studies with cGMP manufacturing initiated, and first-in-human trials are targeted for 2026.

HERVolution is pre-revenue and operates under a traditional biotech development model, intending to generate revenue through commercialization of therapeutic products following regulatory approval. The company is sales-led in the sense that it is building clinical development and commercialization capabilities, with leadership hires including a Chief Medical Officer and Scientific Advisory Board members with regulatory and clinical operations expertise. The company has been financed through venture capital, including an $11.7 million round led by Serum Institute of India with participation from the European Innovation Council, and communicates primarily through scientific conferences, press releases, and its corporate website. Its intended customer base, post-approval, will be patients with oncology and metabolic disease indications where HERV reactivation and cellular senescence contribute to disease biology.

Name

Hervolution Therapeutics

Legal name

HERVolution Therapeutics ApS

Website

https://hervolutiontx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oncology and Metabolic Disease Immunotherapy (Biologics)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Therapeutic Vaccines (cancer, chronic infection immunotherapy) (HLAAAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

mRNA Therapeutics (vaccines, protein replacement, immuno-oncology) (HLAAADAA)

Keywords

• Oncology biologics
• Metabolic disease therapeutics
• Viral vector immunotherapy
• Senolytic drug development
• Cancer vaccine research

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Immunotherapy Pipeline: Pre-revenue biotechnology company developing HERV-targeting immunotherapies. Revenue will be generated through commercialized therapeutic products following regulatory approval. Pipeline includes IPT-001 (oncology and metabolic disease) and IPT-002 mRNA booster.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HERVolution Therapeutics develops a portfolio of off-the-shelf immunotherapies that target human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) antigens — dark genome elements reactivated in cancer and metabolic disease. Its proprietary platform rationally engineers HERV antigens to break immune tolerance, supporting multiple delivery formats including adenoviral vectors, virus-like particles, and mRNA. Lead asset IPT-001 is a first-in-class senolytic insulin sensitizer advancing through IND-enabling studies in oncology (NSCLC, solid tumors) and metabolic disease (prediabetes, MASLD).

Product overview

HERVolution Therapeutics is developing a portfolio of off-the-shelf immunotherapies targeting human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), a class of dark genome antigens implicated in cancer and metabolic diseases. The core platform enables rational redesign of HERVs to create immunogenic antigens visible to the immune system. The lead program IPT-001 is a first-in-class senolytic insulin sensitizer targeting HERV-K in IND-enabling stages for both oncology (NSCLC, solid tumors) and metabolic disease (prediabetes, MASLD). IPT-002 mRNA Booster is in lead optimization for solid tumors and metabolic applications. The platform supports multiple delivery modalities including adenoviral vectors, virus-like particles, and mRNA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IPT-001 Lead immunotherapy program targeting HERV-K (human endogenous retrovirus-K). A first-in-class senolytic insulin sensitizer in development for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), solid tumors, prediabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Currently in IND-enabling phase for oncology and metabolic disease applications.
• IPT-002 mRNA Booster An mRNA-based booster immunotherapy for solid tumors and undisclosed metabolic indications. Designed as a prime-boost component to enhance anti-HERV immunity in combination with IPT-001. Currently in lead optimization phase for solid tumors and undisclosed metabolic applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Demonstrated ability to control weight gain and reverse type 2 diabetes in preclinical metabolic disease models
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• University of Copenhagen (UCPH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Exclusive license agreement covering commercialization rights for HERV-targeting technology controlling weight gain. HERVolution receives exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize products in the licensed field. This partnership builds on ongoing research collaboration and provides foundational IP alongside the company's proprietary technology.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Hervolutiontx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hervolutiontx

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hervolution Therapeutics