EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing glasmacinal, a first-in-class oral non-antibiotic macrolide from its Barriolides™ platform, for the treatment of COPD and other chronic respiratory and inflammatory diseases.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersReykjavík, Iceland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals does
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2014 and headquartered in Reykjavík, Iceland, developing oral therapeutics for chronic respiratory diseases with a primary focus on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The company operates as a semi-virtual organization with approximately 31 staff distributed across Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, and the UK. Its core technology is the Barriolides™ platform, a proprietary class of non-antibiotic macrolides designed to retain the anti-inflammatory and epithelial barrier-enhancing properties of macrolides while eliminating antimicrobial activity, thereby avoiding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risk that limits long-term use of off-label antibiotic macrolides like azithromycin.
The company's lead asset is glasmacinal (formerly EP395), a first-in-class oral non-antibiotic macrolide that enhances host defense response to inhaled pathogens and reduces neutrophilic and eosinophilic inflammation. Glasmacinal completed successful Phase 1 (May 2022) and Phase 2a (April 2024) trials in COPD patients, demonstrating 66% relative reduction in sputum neutrophil elastase and 75% reduction in myeloperoxidase versus placebo with no detectable lung microbiome disruption. WHO assigned the INN 'glasmacinal' in December 2024, formally recognizing the new '-macinal' drug class. Beyond COPD, EpiEndo is extending its Barriolides™ platform into ulcerative colitis through the EpicoliX Project partnership with AlveoliX (lead candidate Enterothelin identified via organ-on-chip screening) and into asthma via a Lund University collaboration.
EpiEndo is pre-revenue with no commercial products and no established pricing. The company intends to monetize through future drug commercialization, most likely via licensing partnerships with pharmaceutical companies for distribution and sales of glasmacinal as a prescription medication. The company has raised approximately EUR 35 million in cumulative funding across grants, seed rounds, a EUR 20 million Series A (August 2021), and a EUR 9 million convertible bond (January 2026), with major investors including Flerie Invest, Iðunn Venture Fund, the EIC Fund, and ABC Venture.
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals
- Legal name
- EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals
- Website
- https://epiendo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing glasmacinal, a first-in-class oral non-antibiotic macrolide from its Barriolides™ platform, for the treatment of COPD and other chronic respiratory and inflammatory diseases.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Respiratory Pharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pulmonology & Allergy Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Primary Care & General Medicine Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAA)
Keywords
Where EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Reykjavík
- HQ country
- Iceland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Pharmaceutical Drug Development and Commercialization: Pre-revenue clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for chronic respiratory diseases. Revenue will be generated through eventual drug commercialization, likely via licensing partnerships or direct sales upon regulatory approval.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing oral, non-antibiotic macrolide drugs for chronic respiratory diseases, with lead candidate glasmacinal (EP395) targeting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The company is built around its proprietary Barriolides™ platform, a new class of macrolide derivatives designed to retain anti-inflammatory and epithelial barrier-enhancing properties while eliminating antimicrobial resistance risk. The pipeline also includes Enterothelin, a Barriolide candidate for ulcerative colitis identified through organ-on-chip screening.
Product overview
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of orally available macrolide therapeutics. The core product is glasmacinal (EP395), the first drug candidate in the company's proprietary Barriolides™ platform—a new class of non-antibiotic macrolides with reduced antimicrobial resistance potential that enhance epithelial barrier function and provide anti-inflammatory effects. The lead indication is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The company is also developing Enterothelin, another Barriolide candidate, for ulcerative colitis through its EpicoliX Project partnership with AlveoliX. The Barriolides™ platform represents first-in-class oral therapeutics for chronic respiratory diseases and other inflammatory conditions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Barriolides: New class of orally available macrolides with reduced antimicrobial resistance (AMR) potential. These are epithelial barrier-enhancing, anti-inflammatory drug candidates developed for chronic respiratory diseases and other inflammatory indications.
- glasmacinal
Products and services
- Glasmacinal (EP395) Oral anti-inflammatory macrolide drug candidate (previously EP395) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). First candidate in the Barriolides™ class with negligible antimicrobial activity but anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties; enhances host defense response to inhaled pathogens and strengthens epithelial barrier function.
- Enterothelin Barriolide compound developed as a lead candidate for ulcerative colitis treatment through the EpicoliX Project partnership with AlveoliX. A first-in-class therapy addressing the underlying cause of UC by enhancing colon epithelium and reducing inflammation and ulcer formation.
Quantifiable outcome
- 66% relative reduction in sputum neutrophil elastase with EP395 vs placebo
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Lund UniversityminorCollaboration investigating glasmacinal's effects on antiviral responses in bronchial epithelial cells from asthma patients.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental MedicinecoreConduction of LPS challenge clinical trials with EP395/glasmacinal in healthy volunteers under Prof Jens Hohlfeld's leadership.
- CTC Clinical Trial Consultants ABminorSwedish CRO conducting drug-drug interaction studies with EP395, led by Dr Björn Schultze.
- King's College LondoncoreCollaboration with Prof Clive Page's team on preclinical research on EP395 effects on airway inflammation and epithelial barrier function.
- Medicines Evaluation Unit (MEU), ManchestercoreClinical trial site for first-in-human Phase 1 trial of EP395, led by Prof Dave Singh. Continues as principal investigator site for subsequent clinical trials.
- AlveoliXcoreEpicoliX Project - Eureka Eurostars funded collaboration to develop ulcerative colitis treatment using AlveoliX's AXGut-on-Chip technology combined with EpiEndo's Barriolide compounds. Led to identification of Enterothelin as lead UC candidate.
- RecipharmcorePartnership with Swedish CDMO for synthesis of novel compounds. Recipharm is a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation that brings pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise to EpiEndo's compound development.
- University of IcelandcoreFoundational research origin - EpiEndo's technology is based on over 20 years of research at the University of Iceland, including Stem Cell Research Unit collaboration.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Inhalon Biopharma: Clinical-stage company developing iSPERSE-based inhaled therapeutics for respiratory infections and inflammatory diseases. Comparable as a small respiratory biotech with novel delivery technology.
- Avalo Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech focused on inflammatory diseases with pipeline including respiratory indications. Comparable as a small clinical-stage company developing anti-inflammatory therapeutics.
- Verona Pharma: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing ensifentrine, an inhaled dual PDE3/PDE4 inhibitor for COPD maintenance therapy. Most directly comparable peer as a late clinical-stage respiratory biotech targeting COPD with a novel mechanism.
- Mereo BioPharma: Clinical-stage biopharma developing therapies for rare respiratory diseases including alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Similar stage and business model to EpiEndo as a clinical-stage respiratory-focused biotech with novel mechanisms.
- Pulmatrix: Clinical-stage biopharma developing inhaled therapies for respiratory diseases including COPD and pulmonary infections. Comparable as a small-cap respiratory biotech with a novel drug delivery platform.
Broad incumbents
- GSK: Major pharmaceutical company with leading COPD franchise (Trelegy Ellipta, Anoro, Incruse) and significant respiratory R&D capabilities. Most relevant broad incumbent for understanding COPD competitive dynamics and potential acquirer profile.
- AstraZeneca: Major pharmaceutical company with leading COPD franchise (Breztri Aerosphere, Symbicort, Trixeo). Most relevant broad incumbent as potential licensing/acquisition partner given established respiratory commercial footprint.
- Boehringer Ingelheim: Major pharmaceutical company with leading COPD franchise (Spiriva, Stiolto, Striverdi) and respiratory pipeline. Comparable as broad incumbent shaping the COPD therapeutic landscape.
- Sanofi/Regeneron: Dupixent (dupilumab) recently expanded into COPD with Phase 3 success, marking entry of IL-4/IL-13 biologic into the space. Comparable as broad incumbent now competing in COPD with biologic and broad respiratory portfolio.
Emerging players
- Enterprise Therapeutics: UK-based biopharma developing therapies for respiratory diseases including COPD, with focus on epithelial ion channel modulation. Comparable for shared interest in epithelial-targeted respiratory therapeutics.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals social profiles
Digital presenceEpiEndo Pharmaceuticals financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals 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 EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals
What does EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals do?
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing oral, non-antibiotic macrolide drugs for chronic respiratory diseases, with lead candidate glasmacinal (EP395) targeting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The company is built around its proprietary Barriolides™ platform, a new class of macrolide derivatives designed to retain anti-inflammatory and epithelial barrier-enhancing properties while eliminating antimicrobial resistance risk. The pipeline also includes Enterothelin, a Barriolide candidate for ulcerative colitis identified through organ-on-chip screening.
Is EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals a public or private company?
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals founded?
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals based?
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Reykjavík, Iceland, in the Europe region.
How does EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals make money?
One revenue line is on record: pharmaceutical Drug Development and Commercialization.
Who are EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Inhalon Biopharma, Avalo Therapeutics, Verona Pharma, Mereo BioPharma and Pulmatrix. Broad incumbents are GSK, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi/Regeneron. Enterprise Therapeutics is listed as an emerging player.
Does EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals have an API?
No public API is recorded for EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals.
What industry is EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals in?
EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals's product category is Respiratory Pharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIACAF, Pulmonology & Allergy Specialty Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIAAAA, Primary Care & General Medicine Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 3254 and its SIC code is 2834.