Synklino

What Synklino does

Synklino A/S is a Danish clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in July 2017 as a spinout from the University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark, headquartered at Frederiksborggade 1, Copenhagen K. The company is developing a single lead product, SYN002, a first-in-class therapeutic fusion protein (immunotoxin) designed to eliminate cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in donor kidneys prior to transplantation. SYN002 targets US28, a CMV-encoded membrane receptor exclusively expressed on virus-infected cells during both lytic and latent phases, and is administered ex vivo during normothermic machine perfusion, treating the donor organ directly without exposing the transplant recipient to systemic therapy.

SYN002 addresses a clear unmet need: approximately 30% of kidney transplant recipients receiving CMV-positive donor organs still experience CMV reactivation despite standard antiviral prophylaxis, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, organ rejection, and a roughly 50% rise in transplant-related costs. Preclinical data published in the American Journal of Transplantation demonstrated greater than 90% reduction in CMV reactivation from latency in treated human donor kidneys. Synklino retains broad intellectual property rights to SYN002 and its ex vivo use in organ perfusion, built on a decade of academic research from its founding universities. The company initiated first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trials in 2026, with the first patient dosed in May 2026 at the Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network Toronto, under Principal Investigator Prof. Atul Humar.

The business model is licensing- and partnership-driven: Synklino intends to develop SYN002 through proof-of-concept and then partner with established pharmaceutical companies for late-stage development and global commercialization, generating revenue from upfront payments, development milestones, and royalties. The company has raised approximately EUR 43.8 million in total across a 2019 BioInnovation Institute grant (DKK 10m), a 2020 seed round (Eir Ventures and Vaekstfonden), a heavily oversubscribed 2021 financing round (DKK 106m/EUR 14m), and a 2022 Series A of EUR 29.8m led by PKA pension fund with Vaekstfonden and Eir Ventures. Ownership includes approximately 70 private shareholders alongside institutional investors. The company is privately held, pre-revenue, and has 11–50 employees.

Name

Synklino

Legal name

Synklino A/S

Website

https://synklino.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Synklino A/S is a Danish clinical-stage biotechnology company developing SYN002, a first-in-class ex vivo therapeutic fusion protein that eliminates cytomegalovirus from donor kidneys during machine perfusion, targeting latent and active CMV infection in kidney transplant recipients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Transplant Therapeutics

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)

akta.pro primary industry

Fusion Proteins & Fc-Engineered Biologics (HLAAAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Engineered Protein Therapeutics (de novo/AI-designed proteins, novel scaffolds) (HLAAAAAJ)

Keywords

• Cytomegalovirus therapeutics
• Kidney transplant drugs
• Ex vivo organ perfusion
• Therapeutic fusion proteins
• Antiviral immunotoxins

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyngby

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, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Licensing/Partnership: As a clinical-stage biotech, Synklino plans to develop SYN002 through proof-of-concept, after which they expect to partner with established pharma companies for late-stage development and commercialisation. Revenue will come from licensing deals, milestone payments, and royalties from commercial partners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Synklino develops SYN002, a first-in-class therapeutic fusion protein (immunotoxin) that targets the CMV-encoded US28 membrane receptor to eliminate both active and latent cytomegalovirus-infected cells in donor kidneys. The drug is administered ex vivo during normothermic machine perfusion of the donor organ prior to transplantation, treating the organ directly so the transplant recipient is not exposed to systemic antiviral therapy. The company is currently advancing SYN002 through a Phase 1 clinical trial at University Health Network Toronto.

Product overview

Synklino is a Danish clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a single lead product, SYN002, a first-in-class ex vivo therapy for preventing cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in kidney transplant recipients. SYN002 is a therapeutic fusion protein administered during ex vivo organ perfusion (machine perfusion) prior to transplantation, enabling direct treatment of the donor organ without systemic exposure to the recipient. The company is currently advancing SYN002 through Phase 1 clinical development and has no additional commercial products or services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SYN002 First-in-class therapeutic fusion protein (immunotoxin) that targets the CMV-encoded US28 membrane receptor on infected cells to eliminate both active (lytic) and latent cytomegalovirus from donor kidneys. Administered ex vivo during normothermic machine perfusion of the donor organ prior to transplantation, treating the donor organ directly so the transplant recipient is not exposed to systemic antiviral therapy. Intended for kidney transplant centers and their CMV-positive donor kidney recipients.

Quantifiable outcome

• >90% reduction in CMV reactivation from latency in human kidneys treated ex vivo
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

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

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• University Health Network (UHN), TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAjmera Transplant Centre at UHN is conducting the Phase 1 clinical trial of SYN002. One of the world's leading transplant centers, performing more than 600 solid organ transplants each year. Study led by Professor Atul Humar, internationally recognized for work in transplant infectious diseases.
• University of Cambridge / Addenbrooke's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Professor Michael Nicholson's group for preclinical proof-of-concept studies in human donor kidneys. Professor Nicholson is Director of the NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Unit (BTRU) in Organ Donation and Transplantation and serves as Lead Coordinating Investigator for the UK Phase 1 trial.
• Professor Atul HumarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal Investigator of Phase 1 trial at UHN. Director at University of Toronto Transplant Institute (largest multi-organ transplantation centre in North America). Member of Synklino's Scientific Advisory Board since October 2020. Internationally recognized expert in transplant infectious diseases and CMV prevention.
• Professor John SinclaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Synklino's Scientific Advisory Board. Deputy Head of the Department of Medicine and Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Cambridge University. Expert on CMV life cycle, especially during latency.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Atara Biotherapeutics: Allogeneic T-cell therapy company with programs targeting viral infections in immunocompromised transplant patients, including CMV. Comparable in transplant-focused virology space and clinical-stage biotech profile, but uses cell therapy rather than a fusion protein.
• AlloVir: Developed Viralym-M (now spun out as Kalaris Therapeutics), an allogeneic, multi-virus-specific T-cell therapy for transplant patients including those with refractory CMV. Closely comparable target patient population (transplant recipients with viral reactivation) and clinical-stage profile.
• Hookipa Pharma: Clinical-stage biotech developing HB-101, a CMV vaccine designed to prevent CMV reactivation in transplant recipients. Directly comparable to Synklino in target indication (post-transplant CMV), patient population, and clinical-stage biotech profile, though Hookipa uses a vaccine rather than an ex vivo immunotoxin approach.
• Helocyte Pharmaceuticals: Developing Triplex, a therapeutic CMV vaccine for use in stem cell and solid organ transplant recipients. Comparable in targeting CMV prevention in transplant recipients and clinical-stage biotech profile, though using a vaccine modality.

Broad incumbents

• Merck & Co. Markets Prevymis (letermovir), the leading branded antiviral for CMV prophylaxis in adult CMV-seropositive transplant recipients. Represents the incumbent standard of care against which SYN002 will compete; broad incumbent with multiple therapeutic areas.
• Takeda Pharmaceutical: Markets Livtencity (maribavir), the first FDA-approved treatment for post-transplant CMV infection/disease refractory to existing antivirals. Directly competes with SYN002's indication and is a relevant potential strategic partner given its transplant franchise.
• Moderna: Developing mRNA-1647, an mRNA-based CMV vaccine currently in Phase 3 trials, the most advanced CMV vaccine program. Compares to Synklino in CMV prevention but as a much larger, late-stage company pursuing an in vivo vaccine approach rather than ex vivo biologic.

Emerging players

• VBI Vaccines: Developed VBI-1501, a CMV vaccine candidate that entered Phase 1 clinical evaluation. Comparable in targeting CMV with an immunotherapeutic approach, though VBI is broader and earlier-stage in the transplant CMV space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/synklino

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors5 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 Synklino