Serpin Pharma
Serpin Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing SP16, a synthetic LRP1-targeting peptide derived from alpha-1 antitrypsin that resolves inflammation across multiple indications including AKI, AMI, CIPN, and prurigo nodularis, with strategic applications in cosmetics.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersManassas, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Serpin Pharma does
Serpin Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing SP16, a first-in-class synthetic anti-inflammatory peptide derived from residues 364-380 of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT). SP16 is approximately 300 times more potent than its natural counterpart and selectively activates the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1) receptor, resolving inflammation by clearing inflammatory triggers from cell surfaces, activating ERK/AKT cell-survival pathways, and suppressing NFkB-mediated pro-inflammatory signaling — restoring immune homeostasis rather than suppressing the immune response. The company is pursuing five therapeutic indications: acute kidney injury (AKI) in cardiac surgery patients with stage 2-3 CKD, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN, including the SP16-3M variant in breast cancer), prurigo nodularis, and exploratory work in COVID-19 and HIV-related CNS inflammation. Additional formulations (intravenous, subcutaneous, topical) are tailored to each indication.
The company is headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, graduated from the Prince William Science Accelerator in 2022, and operates with 1-10 employees. Its IP estate comprises 13 granted patents (of 14 filed) covering composition of matter and use of the SERPIN peptide drug and analogs, with protection extending to 2041. Strategic partnerships include Dogwood Therapeutics (royalty-free global license for the IV SP16 formulation), Estée Lauder (cosmetics/skin-longevity application), Uniklinikum Erlangen (EASE-AKI Phase II), Sheba Medical Center (AMI Phase 2a), and the University of Virginia (CIPN Phase 1b and prior COVID-19 work). The company has not commercialized any product and has no product revenue; its operating capital to date has come primarily from non-dilutive grants (Virginia Catalyst $1.25M in 2021, BIRD Foundation $900K in 2024, NCI SBIR $2M in 2024, $2.5M NCI grant via Dogwood) and an early $400K round in 2017.
Serpin Pharma firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Serpin Pharma
- Legal name
- Serpin Pharma, Inc.
- Website
- https://serpinpharma.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Serpin Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing SP16, a synthetic LRP1-targeting peptide derived from alpha-1 antitrypsin that resolves inflammation across multiple indications including AKI, AMI, CIPN, and prurigo nodularis, with strategic applications in cosmetics.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Serpin Pharma industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutics
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Therapeutic Peptides & Protein/Peptide Biologics (HLAAAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Engineered Protein Therapeutics (de novo/AI-designed proteins, novel scaffolds) (HLAAAAAJ), Nephrology & Urology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAM), Nephrology & Urology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAH)
Keywords
Where Serpin Pharma is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manassas
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Serpin Pharma business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Marketing channels4 records
Serpin Pharma product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Serpin Pharma develops SP16, a first-in-class synthetic peptide therapeutic derived from alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) that selectively activates the LRP1 receptor to resolve inflammation and restore immune homeostasis. The company is advancing multiple clinical-stage programs targeting acute kidney injury, acute myocardial infarction, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and prurigo nodularis, supported by a 13-patent estate extending through 2041. All programs are based on a single molecular platform with different formulations (intravenous, subcutaneous, topical) tailored to each indication.
Product overview
Serpin Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a single unified therapeutic platform centered on SP16, a first-in-class anti-inflammatory peptide derived from alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT). SP16 is the core molecule with multiple clinical-stage indications: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), and Prurigo Nodularis. The company also developed SP16-3M variant for breast cancer patients. SP16 works by selectively activating the LRP1 receptor to restore immune homeostasis—removing inflammatory triggers, activating cell survival pathways (ERK/AKT), and deactivating pro-inflammatory NFkB pathways. Additional indications under investigation include COVID-19 and HIV-related inflammation. All programs are based on the same SP16 molecular platform with different formulations (intravenous, subcutaneous, topical) depending on indication.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SP16 Peptide Therapeutic
- SP16 for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
- SP16 for Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
- SP16 for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)
- SP16 for Prurigo Nodularis
- SP16-3M for Breast Cancer CIPN Prevention
- SP16 for COVID-19 Inflammation
- SP16 for HIV-Induced Inflammation
- SP16 Anti-Inflammatory Peptide for Cosmetics and Skin Longevity
Quantifiable outcome
- In AMI, a single SP16 injection preserved heart function, reduced infarcts, and decreased biomarkers of cardiac injury in Phase 2a clinical trial
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Serpin Pharma
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Serpin Pharma technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Serpin Pharma partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Dogwood TherapeuticscoreDogwood Therapeutics secured a royalty-free global license for SP16's intravenous formulation from Serpin Pharma in September 2025. Dogwood advanced the drug candidate into clinical testing with FDA acceptance of IND application for SP16 for chemotherapy-induced pain and peripheral neuropathy.
- Estée Lauder CompaniescoreCollaboration with Estée Lauder Companies Inc. announced in February 2025 to explore how anti-inflammatory peptides can be applied in cosmetics to improve skin health and longevity. This represents a commercial application of Serpin Pharma's technology in the cosmetics industry.
- Uniklinikum ErlangencorePartnership with Uniklinikum Erlangen in Germany for EASE-AKI Phase II clinical trial to assess efficacy and safety of SP16 in preventing acute kidney injury in at-risk patients with stage 2-3 chronic kidney disease undergoing cardiac surgery.
- Sheba Medical CentermajorCollaboration with Sheba Medical Center (Ramat Gan, Israel), a global leader in innovative cardiology care, for randomized controlled Phase 2a clinical trial targeting acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients.
- University of VirginiacorePhase 1b clinical trial for SP16 expected to begin patient enrollment at the University of Virginia. Dr. Michael Yun Shim serves as Principal Investigator for COVID-19 clinical investigation.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Serpin Pharma competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DiaMedica Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing peptide therapeutics (DM199) for acute kidney injury and other inflammatory conditions. Directly comparable as a peptide therapeutic company focused on AKI with Phase 2-stage development.
- Pliant Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for fibrosis and inflammation, with multiple indications in Phase 2 development. Comparable as a clinical-stage inflammation-focused biotech with platform technology approach.
- Dogwood Therapeutics: Holds royalty-free global license for SP16 IV formulation and is advancing Halneuron for chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. Direct peer given shared SP16 technology and overlapping CIPN indication.
- Keros Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing protein therapeutics targeting TGF-β superfamily for inflammation and hematological diseases. Comparable clinical-stage company with engineered protein therapeutics and multi-indication platform approach.
Emerging players
- Athersys: Clinical-stage company developing MultiStem cell therapy for inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions across multiple indications. Comparable multi-indication platform approach to inflammatory diseases though different modality (cell therapy vs. peptide).
Broad incumbents
- Travere Therapeutics: Specialty biopharmaceutical company with kidney disease and rare disease focus including therapies for kidney conditions. Comparable kidney disease therapeutic focus though broader portfolio and more advanced commercial stage.
- Mesoblast: Clinical-stage regenerative medicine company developing cellular therapies for inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. Comparable clinical-stage inflammation therapeutics with multi-indication platform, though using cell therapy modality.
- ChemoCentryx: Was a clinical-stage inflammation biotech acquired by Amgen for $3.7B in 2022, focused on chemoattractant receptor therapeutics. Comparable clinical-stage inflammation therapeutics company, though now part of larger pharma following acquisition.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Serpin Pharma social profiles
Digital presenceSerpin Pharma financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Serpin Pharma leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Serpin Pharma funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Serpin Pharma M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Serpin Pharma
What does Serpin Pharma do?
Serpin Pharma develops SP16, a first-in-class synthetic peptide therapeutic derived from alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) that selectively activates the LRP1 receptor to resolve inflammation and restore immune homeostasis. The company is advancing multiple clinical-stage programs targeting acute kidney injury, acute myocardial infarction, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and prurigo nodularis, supported by a 13-patent estate extending through 2041. All programs are based on a single molecular platform with different formulations (intravenous, subcutaneous, topical) tailored to each indication.
Is Serpin Pharma a public or private company?
Serpin Pharma is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Serpin Pharma founded?
Serpin Pharma was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Serpin Pharma based?
Serpin Pharma is headquartered in Manassas, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Serpin Pharma's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DiaMedica Therapeutics, Pliant Therapeutics, Dogwood Therapeutics and Keros Therapeutics. Athersys is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Travere Therapeutics, Mesoblast and ChemoCentryx.
Does Serpin Pharma have an API?
No public API is recorded for Serpin Pharma.
What industry is Serpin Pharma in?
Serpin Pharma's product category is Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAAAH, Therapeutic Peptides & Protein/Peptide Biologics, with a secondary code of HLAAAAAJ, Engineered Protein Therapeutics (de novo/AI-designed proteins, novel scaffolds). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2834.